John Harbaugh brought a slew of former Ravens players and coaches with him from Baltimore to New York this offseason, including safety Ar’Darius Washington.
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound safety struggled to stay healthy in Baltimore over the last five years, with just one season with over four games played. But he played a major role in stabilizing the Ravens’ secondary in 2024 following early-season struggles from Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson. Washington was inserted into the starting lineup next to Kyle Hamilton and allowed just 4.9 yards per target while forcing three turnovers, breaking up eight passes, and logging five tackles for loss in his 10 starts.
A torn Achilles robbed Washington of the chance of turning his half-season breakout in 2024 into a true coming-out party the following year. But, after following Harbaugh to New York – and reuniting with former Ravens secondary coach, now-Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson – he is pushing to return to a role in the starting secondary. That could be as a safety, taking Tyler Nubin‘s spot, or in the slot, displacing Andru Phillips, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.
Washington, 26, lined up at both spots in Baltimore, though his 10 starts in 2024 primarily came in a free safety role. His size is no doubt an obstacle against tight ends and bigger slot receivers, but he compensates with physical, instinctual playmaking and a nose for the football. But taking a starting job from Nubin or Phillips – both 2024 Day 2 draft picks – may still be a tall task. Nubin missed four games due to injury in each of the last two years, but he has been a full-time starter when healthy. Phillips has been in a nickel-only role and led the team in slot snaps by a significant margin since he was drafted. Both also have two years remaining on their rookie contracts, so they still profile as potential long-term pieces for the Giants defense.
Phillips, though, is expected to miss time with a knee sprain, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. That should open up some first-team nickel reps for Washington, which will give him a chance to lay claim to the job.
