Matt Citak

PFF tabs Jevn Holland as Giants' X-factor

The Giants added pieces on both sides of the ball this offseason, including several key players that are looking at big-time roles.

According to Pro Football Focus, one veteran in particular could play a significant role in the defense's potential turnaround.

PFF's Max Chadwick and Dalton Wassermanrecently chose one X-factor from each team across the league heading into the 2025 season. For the Giants, they went with safety Jevn Holland.

"Miami let Holland walk in free agency after he posted a career-low 57.1 coverage grade in 2024. However, his 91.3 coverage grade since 2021 still ranks tied for fifth among qualified safeties, highlighting his overall consistency before last season,"wrote Wasserman. "Holland thrives as a deep-roaming free safety in single-high coverages, a promising fit under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, whose defense ranked sixth in single-high usage during the 2024 regular season."

Holland played in 15 games for the Dolphins last season and finished with 62 total tackles (42 solo), one sack, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, one forced fumble and four passes defensed.

Across his first three seasons, the young safety displayed a knack for finding the football. Holland registered a total of five interceptions from 2021-23 to go with four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 21 pass breakups.

As Wasserman noted, Holland was one of PFF's top-rated safeties in coverage throughout his first three seasons, while also performing well in run defense.

The veteran will join Tyler Nubin and Dane Belton as the team's top safeties, with Holland being the oldest of the group having just turned 25. All three players have recorded at least one interception through the first half of OTAs.

The entire secondary is looking at a good opportunity to grow together moving forward, as every safety or cornerback currently on the roster will be 26 or younger at the start of the season.

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