With the New York Pass Defense firmly entrenched for the New York Giants in 2016, we ponder whether it’ll remain the same for 2017.

When one thinks about the New York Football Giants, who usually comes to mind?

Lawrence Taylor? Harry Carson? Michael Strahan?

Or, maybe Landon Collins.

Nevertheless, all of these players have one thing in common, they have all contributed on the defensive side of the game.

Big Blue has been known for their talent on the defensive side of the ball. This is the side that has helped the Giants win four super bowls.

In contrast, in recent years, the Giants have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league. As a result, the G-Men missed the playoffs from 2012 until 2015, before finally making it this past season. The team was carried by its defense, following the trend of Giants teams from the past.

While the defensive line did their part in 2016, the real stars of the defense were in the secondary where the Giants had one first team All-Pro and two-second team All-Pros.

So, let’s take a closer look at the projected Big Blue secondary, or the “NYPD” for 2017.

Slot Cornerback: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Don’t worry Giants fans. After releasing Victor Cruz and Rashad Jennings, it is almost certain the Giants will have DRC back next season.

In 2016, the cornerback was a second team AP All-Pro which was an impressive feat for the 30-year old. An achievement that should not come as a surprise to anyone that follows the Giants since he secured six interceptions and had 21 passes defended.

Football fans who watched the Giants playoff game against the Packers witnessed a defensive meltdown and surely questioned why a defense that was so dominant during the regular season could crumble so quickly.

While many would argue Aaron Rodgers probably had a hand in this defensive collapse, it was most certainly the absence of DRC during most of the game that contributed greatly to the loss. The vet was on the field for only one snap before getting injured and missing the rest of the game causing the Giants to rely heavily on cornerbacks who weren’t prepared to face one of the best quarterbacks in the league. In addition, the defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, was unable to dial up some blitzes without his DRC safety net.

The defense without the Tennessee St. alumnus is not a good one, to say the least. With that in mind, expect to see DRC as the slot cornerback in 2017.

Cornerback: Janoris Jenkins

This one is a no-brainer.

One of the Giants big three signings in the offseason, Janoris Jenkins stepped in right away and proved he was worth the massive deal.

While some at the time of this deal had some doubts, the North Alabama alum went to work and quickly washed those doubts away.

The cornerback dubbed Jackrabbit made receivers disappear throughout the season. To do his part in the defensive turnover, he quietly had three interceptions and 18 passes defended.

These numbers did not go by unnoticed by the rest of the league. On a stacked New York Giants defense, the corner was a Pro Bowler and a second team AP All-Pro.

Considering the fact that his big deal still has four more years remaining, there is no doubt he will once again be Big Blue’s number one cornerback. Hopefully, he will be able to repeat his 2016 success.

Cornerback: Eli Apple

The 10th overall pick in the 2016 draft had an up and down season. Which, however, is to be expected for a rookie playing one of the hardest positions in football.

Apple also suffered injuries to his groin and hamstring last year causing him to miss two games.

As the season progressed, the rookie improved his game and showed the potential that made him a top 10 pick.

It was assumed when he was drafted that he would be slowly groomed to be a starting corner. Instead, he ended up starting 11 games and getting one interception and seven passes defended.

Those numbers are solid for one his age, but in Apple’s sophomore year, he is expected to trump those numbers.

As of right now, the corner is only scratching the surface of his potential. He has the height, length, and speed to be an elite cornerback in the NFL. It remains to be seen if Apple can put together all of the pieces and do so. Perhaps he will get one step closer during his sophomore season.

Free Safety: Darian Thompson

Free safety was by far the hardest to predict the 2017 starter for. The Giants have two young, viable options for this spot.

When the Giants snagged the 23-year-old safety out of Boise St. with a third-round pick they were ecstatic. They loved the kid and felt as if he would be the perfect ball-hawking safety to pair with Landon Collins.

Unfortunately, things were not meant to be in Thompson’s rookie campaign. He played in two games before needing season-ending foot surgery.

This opened the door for another rookie, the undrafted free agent Andrew Adams. When one went down, another stepped up.

Adams went on to have a respectable year, PFF even declared him to have future pro bowler potential. Although as the season wore on, the UDFA’s play seemed to decline.

Darian Thompson is a better fit next to the thumper Landon Collins, but Andrew Adams is a good player as well. No matter who is the starting free safety for the Giants in 2017, the G-Men will be well off at free safety.

Strong Safety: Landon Collins

After a disappointing rookie campaign many, including yours truly, were left wondering if Landon Collins would be able to make it in the NFL. The former Alabama safety came into 2016 with a chip on his shoulder and proved to everyone that he does belong in the NFL.

In a season that was worthy of DPOY consideration, Collins was not only the leader of the Giants secondary but of their whole defense. That is not a light title for a defense that some considered the best in the league.

The safety has the numbers to back it up, though. With 100 tackles, five interceptions, 13 passes defended and four sacks. Those numbers are eye-opening, to say the least.

Others felt this way, as the former Alabama player was awarded handsomely. He was a Pro Bowler and a first-team AP All-Pro.

The stud is only 23 years old and can get better, a scary thought for opposing offensive coordinators.

The projected NYPD led by Landon Collins should once again strike fear in opposing offenses.