Second-year Giants DB could capture starting role in 2023

The New York Giants have a hole on their defense following the free-agent departure of veteran safety Julian Love. Second-year defensive back Dane Belton could be the one to fill it.

The Giants initially drafted Belton out of Iowa in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Before the draft, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound DB was described as a "young, ascending ball hawk on the back end" by Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus.

As a rookie, Belton lined up primarily at free safety. In this role, his primary tasks were to defend the deep ball and play well in coverage. A move to strong safety will require Belton be more involved as a run-defender.

Transitioning to a box safety might be challenging, but Belton was a solid tackler as a rookie, missing only three tackles last season (8.8 percent missed tackle rate) while totaling 31 combined tackles (1.0 for loss).

At Iowa, Belton played a hybrid/safety linebacker role, a "cash" defender position the Hawkeyes have used since 2018. "Belton has essentially played as a linebacker, safety and slot corner," John Steppe of The Gazette wrote last March.

Belton's experience playing as a "cash" defender in college gives him skills translatable to strong safety in the NFL. He demonstrated a knack for getting his hands on the football in college (five interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2021) that carried over as a rookie.

Despite playing only 39% of the Giants' defensive snaps last season, Belton made two interceptions, broke up three passes and recovered two fumbles (one on special teams).