Janoris Jenkins
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

New York Giants veteran defensive back Janoris Jenkins is ready to take the lead role with this current group of Big Blue corners.

When it comes to defensive back play, the New York Giants struggled this past season. Despite representing one of the top groups in 2016, they were second-to-last in yards-allowed in 2017.

With issues on and off the field, it was a rough year, to say the least.

However, cornerback Janoris Jenkins is ready to lead this group of corners to a bounce-back year. With the release of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in March, as well as the ongoing troubles of Eli Apple, Jenkins is ready to step up and take the lead role.

The Giants team website spoke to Jenkins on these exact situations.

“DRC was the old guy, Jenkins claims. He understood the scheme and what they expected in New York. Now that he is gone, I am the older guy. I have to step in and fill his spot.”

Jackrabbit also had optimistic things to say about Apple.

“He has been here a while and I keep telling him he can be just as good as he wants to be, if not great,” Jenkins said. “You just have to put the work in and compete.”

This is the attitude that leaders show. Supporting the cause that Apple has changed as a professional is a step in the right direction for Jenkins and for the team as a whole.

The former Rams cornerback will also be looking to bounce back in his third year with the Giants. He only participated in nine games in 2017 while battling an ankle injury and a suspension.

The Giants eventually put him on season-ending IR on Nov. 29. Hopefully, Jenkins back and healthy will assist in the Giants defensive group bouncing back overall.

Although very limited in 2017, Jenkins is prepared not only to take on the lead role, but to perform on the field full-time for Big Blue like he did in 2016.

Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.