Speed Key to This Giants Rookie's Game

For much of the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants focused on physicality. Edge rusher Abdul Carter adds a blue-chip prospect to the trenches, and Marcus Mbow is the first offensive lineman the Giants have drafted since 2023. In the third round, they drafted defensive tackle Darius Alexander, and they kicked off Day 3 with the draft’s most physical running back, Cam Skattebo.

New York forged a new identity in a three-day span, but not all of general manager Joe Schoen’s picks fit that billing.

One such stray was his final selection, Oklahoma State corner Korie Black. Black isn’t the biggest, strongest, or longest corner in his class. For much of his college career, he’d admit those traits limited his impact. But what Black does have in his arsenal is speed, and lots of it.

The Giants' rookie corner explained the key to his athletic profile at his introductory press conference.

“I feel like it will help me with my whole game as far as just like playing defense, corner, then also special teams as well,” Black said. “Just being able to really play as far as corner, just being able to have makeup speed if that's needed and stuff like that.

“Just playing fast as well like on special teams, just being able to get down the field fast.”

Black ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process and has the burst to match. He’s a developmental project at corner, but that speed gives him upside, and a path to playing on special teams.

“Just showing that I could play defense, but coming in, you know, just having to develop, learn, and stuff like that. Special teams was a big thing of just, again, getting my feet wet for this new level that I'll be playing at.

“And using my athletic ability would be beneficial as well for me on special teams.”

Athleticism breeds versatility, and if he’s making any sort of impact in 2025, that will likely be a reason why. New York was a turnstile on the perimeter in 2024. If that’s the case this time around, Black figures to give the unit a little more potency.

“I've always been the fastest on my team. It's been fun.”