Finally. The New York Giants signed a veteran cornerback. After working out for the team recently, Tre Herndon impressed the team enough for them to sign the defensive back.
With experience both inside and outside, Herndon could be the missing piece the team has been searching for at corner.
Giants are signing CB Tre Herndon per @MikeGarafolo
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) June 12, 2024
Herndon is a 6 year vet who has started 34 games. He takes the vacant spot on the team opened up by Darren Waller. pic.twitter.com/ZrvoM5pzJr
Spent All Of Career With Jacksonville Thus Far
The undrafted defensive back signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018.
Since then, Herndon has been solid. In 2019, he played in all 16 games, finishing with 55 total tackles, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions.
In 2020, he didn’t have any interceptions but had five pass deflections.
Though Herndon hasn’t been much of a starter since then, he has been readily available for the team (outside of 2021, only playing in nine games). In the past three years, Herndon only has started in eight games.
Last year, he played in 16 games and started in four of them. He had nine pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 46 total tackles.
PFF had him graded out with a solid 70.8 overall grade, including an 87.0 pass-rush grade and a 73.1 coverage grade. Solid numbers for the 28-year-old. With the grades he put up, he ranked in the top 40 of all players at his position last season (although, he would have been much higher on the list if it wasn’t for his horrid 29.7 run defense grade.
Expectations Should Be Tempered
As excited as we should be for the signing of Herndon, he won’t automatically go straight to outside cornerback opposite Deonte Banks.
He played over 420 snaps at slot cornerback, compared to just 14 on the outside in 2023.
It doesn’t mean that he isn’t capable of being trusted at outside cornerback. In fact, he played 180 snaps out wide in 2022. But, with New York (on multiple occasions) announcing their trust in Cor’Dale Flott to step into that CB2 not too long ago, we shouldn’t place Herndon right away on the outside.
If anything is for certain, it’s that Herndon serves as an experienced, veteran presence that this team has been lacking since the departure of Adoree’ Jackson.
Herndon made his name known among Giants’ brass recently, including returning a touchdown for an interception during Wednesday’s minicamp practice.
When Darren Waller retired, a roster spot was glaringly open, waiting to be filled. With a one-year deal, Herndon fills the vacant spot on the team and looks to make an impact no matter where he plays.
Many Giants fans hope Tre Herndon is the answer at CB2. Otherwise, the team will have to hope Flott is capable of playing on the outside.
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