This much-maligned New York Giants defensive player has done a 180 this season.
Back in March 2025, the New York Giants made a spirited attempt to solidify their secondary, signing cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland in free agency.
Adebo received a three-year, $54 million contract, a deal that seemed like somewhat of a bargain considering how impressive he was in New Orleans. Holland landed three years and $45 million, which generally seemed like a good deal. After all, he had established himself as one of the NFL's best safeties in Miami.
Unfortunately, neither player lived up to expectations in Year 1 with the Giants. Both missed time with injuries, and both were underwhelming when they were on the field.
Heading into 2026, the two big-money defensive backs were viewed as potential future cut candidates if they didn't turn things around this season.
Adebo hasn't really gotten much of a chance, as he played all of one game before ending up on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Holland, on the other hand, looks like a different player ... or perhaps the same player we all saw during his time with the Dolphins.
The 26-year-old has already logged 12 tackles, three interceptions, a couple of forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and four passes defended through three games, boasting a 91.3 overall grade at Pro Football Focus. That ranks No. 1 among safeties.
Holland was also just named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Month following his game-sealing pick in the end zone against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday.
This is the player the Giants thought they were getting when they inked him to that lucrative multi-year pact a year-and-a-half ago. Actually, Holland might even be going above and beyond expectations in 2026.
It's obviously still very early, but at this point, Holland is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He has been a saving grace in a thin New York secondary that has been ravaged by injuries, and he has already achieved a career-high in interceptions three weeks into the campaign.
Hopefully, it lasts, but there is no reason to think it won't. Holland was genuinely an elite defender in South Beach, and after a rough first year in the Big Apple, he has rebounded more than anyone could have hoped.
The Giants will face the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, a Cardinals squad that actually has some decent weapons in the passing game. Particularly tight end Trey McBride.
Holland should play a big role once again this Sunday. Let's hope the rest of the defense can follow suit.
