DeAngelo Hall names James Bradberry among top CBs of 2021
James Bradberry is coming off his strongest season in the NFL, so it is no wonder he is earning recognition from news outlets across the country.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked Bradberry as the No. 5 cornerback in the league, while his presence in Big Blue's defensive backfield helped the Giants earn the No. 7 spot on the analytics site's list of top secondaries. Super Bowl champion and NFL Network analyst Shaun O'Hara also recently called the 27-year-old the NFL's most underappreciated CB.
Now another former player is singing the praises of the Giants' dominant corner. Three-time Pro Bowl defensive back and NFL Network analyst DeAngelo Hall joined 'NFL Total Access' to rank his top five cornerbacks heading into the 2021 season, and following Bradberry's successful Pro Bowl campaign, it should come as no surprise to see him land at No. 3 on Hall's list.
"When James Bradberry went and moved to the Giants and was able to play a lot more man to man coverage, he really showed me that he is an elite [corner] in this league," Hall said. "I got to see him twice a year ago against Terry McLaurin, who I think is a dog, and James Bradberry rose to the occasion every single time. He makes my list at three."
Bradberry started 15 games last season and was on the field for at least 96 percent of defensive snaps in each one. The only game he missed was due to his placement on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after he was deemed to be a high-risk, close contact of an individual who tested positive.
The Pro Bowl corner matched his career-best mark of three interceptions, while setting new career-highs in passes defended (18), forced fumbles (two) and fumble recoveries (one). Bradberry's 18 pass breakups were two short of Miami's Xavien Howard for the most in the league.
The Giants finished the year ranked ninth in points and 12th in yards allowed, while their 22 passing touchdowns surrendered tied for the fifth-fewest in the league.
Bradberry joined Hall and NFL Network's MJ Acosta-Ruiz on 'NFL Total Access' to share his reaction to making Hall's list of top corners and to discuss his Pro Bowl 2020 campaign, which can be found in the video below.
Mailbag: Outlook for 2021 Giants
Nicholas in New Jersey: What would be considered a successful 2021 season for the Giants if they don't make the playoffs?
John Schmeelk: This is a good question because the Giants could finish with 9-10 wins but miss the playoffs due to division or conference tiebreakers. If that happens, it certainly wouldn't be considered a poor season. Rather than putting a win total on the team, there are a few things to keep an eye on that could point the franchise in the right direction.
1. Daniel Jones taking the next step: Heading into his third season, Jones needs to show more signs of putting it all together. He had a productive first season with some highs and lows that featured some big games but also a lot of turnovers. His second season featured fewer mistakes, improved efficiency, but a dip in overall production, especially touchdowns. In his third season, it is time to combine the improved efficiency and reduced turnovers from his second season with the explosive production of his rookie year.
2. The offensive line coming together: The Giants have a young offensive line group that will have to show individual and group improvement to get better and give the offense a chance to take the next step. If there is a measure of improvement from the young players on the offensive line, it likely means this group gets the chance to continue growing rather than going through another re-tooling.
3. Saquon Barkley: After this season, Barkley will be heading into the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. How he recovers from his knee injury and whether he can avoid injuries after two straight years of missing games between ankle and knee injuries will be illuminating.
4. Pass rush: Can the Giants find consistent pass rushers? There are multiple facets to this. Can Leonard Williams come close to repeating his 2020 success? Will someone on the edge step out of the muddle and emerge as a legitimate difference maker? If they can, it will bode very well for this defense moving forward.
5. Continued development: This is overly vague, but the improvement of the players on their rookie contracts is essential. With the Giants being very aggressive in free agency this off-season, they will need their cost-controlled players to step up and fill in the gaps between the veterans on the roster.
All of these factors will not only impact the future, but also determine how successful the Giants are in 2021.
Ryan in New York: With all the off-season additions, what's a logical prediction for the Giants in the NFC East?
John Schmeelk: You won't find numerical predictions here. But when you compare the Giants' roster with the others in the NFC East, their talent ranks right there with the other teams in the division. There are very strong arguments to be made for the Cowboys (Dak Prescott and their explosive offense), Washington (an elite defense and Ryan Fitzpatrick in the mix) and the Giants to win the division. If Jalen Hurts plays high level football, the Eagles could be in the mix, too. Expect it to be a division that goes down to the final weeks.
View photos of the New York Giants' active 53-man roster as it currently stands.
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Devontae Booker
CB James Bradberry
G Ben Bredeson
RB Gary Brightwell
LB Lorenzo Carter
WR Pharoh Cooper
DB Keon Crossen
LB Tae Crowder
OT Korey Cunningham
P Riley Dixon
TE Evan Engram
QB Jake Fromm
K Graham Gano
FB Cullen Gillaspia
QB Mike Glennon
WR Kenny Golladay
G Will Hernandez
DT Austin Johnson
WR Collin Johnson
DL Raymond Johnson III
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
DB Julian Love
G Wes Martin
LB Benardrick McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
TE Chris Myarick
LB Azeez Ojulari
DB Steven Parker
OT Matt Peart
FB Elijhaa Penny
C Billy Price
LB Reggie Ragland
DB J.R. Reed
LB Quincy Roche
TE Kyle Rudolph
DB Logan Ryan
DT Danny Shelton
WR Sterling Shepard
OL Matt Skura
WR Darius Slayton
LB Elerson G. Smith
OT Nate Solder
OT Andrew Thomas
DT Leonard Williams
Photos: James Bradberry's Pro Bowl season
Check out the gallery below to view photos of Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry in his first season with the Giants.
View photos of Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry during his time with the Giants.
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) celebrates with his teammates in the end zone during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 12 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 28th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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James Bradberry (24), Keion Crossen (31)
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Darnay Holmes (30), James Bradberry (24)
Tae Crowder (48), James Bradberry (24)
Xavier McKinney (29), James Bradberry (24)
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Leonard Williams (99), James Bradberry (24)
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James Bradberry (24), Reggie Ragland (55)
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James Bradberry (24), Rodarius Williams (25), Logan Ryan (23), Adoree' Jackson (22)
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Logan Ryan (23), Nate Ebner (43), James Bradberry (24), Xavier McKinney (29), Adoree' Jackson (22)
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) nearly intercepts a pass during a week 6 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday October 17th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) after intercepting a pass during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
The New York Giants defense celebrates a James Bradberry interception during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas on Sunday October 10th, 2021,
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) warms up before a week 8 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday November 1st, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) talks with s cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a preseason game against the New England Patriots on Sunday August 29th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 8 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday November 1st, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri
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CB James Bradberry (24)
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James Bradberry (24), Jabrill Peppers (21)
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Cameron Brown (47), James Bradberry (24)
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Logan Ryan (23), Xavier McKinney (29), Isaac Yiadom (27), James Bradberry (24)
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Leonard Williams (99), James Bradberry (24), Kyler Fackrell (51), Markus Golden (44)
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Darnay Holmes (30), James Bradberry (24)
Darnay Holmes (30), James Bradberry (24)
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Darnay Holmes (30), James Bradberry (24)
Darnay Holmes (30), James Bradberry (24)
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James Bradberry (24), Will Hernandez (71)
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Carter Coughlin (49), Julian Love (20), B.J. Hill (95), Niko Lalos (57), Xavier McKinney (29), Dexter Lawrence (97), Jabaal Sheard (91), Jabrill Peppers (21), Tae Crowder (48), Darnay Holmes (30), Austin Johnson (98), James Bradberry (24), Dalvin Tomlinson (94), Madre Harper (45)
Logan Ryan (23), Adrian Colbert (34), James Bradberry (24)
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Julian Love (20), Logan Ryan (23), James Bradberry (24)
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Logan Ryan (23), Blake Martinez (54), James Bradberry (24)
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Julian Love (20), James Bradberry (24)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) and New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) intercepts a pass during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on October 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) stands in the tunnel before a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) before a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) intercepts a pass during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on October 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver John Ross (12) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 6, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 3 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on September 27h, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor (18) during a week 10 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Ryan Lewis (37) and cornerback James Bradberry (24) tackle Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) during a week 6 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) stands in the tunnel before a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on October 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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