It would be difficult to classify James Bradberry's first season with the Giants as anything short of a success.
The 27-year-old cornerback started 15 games and was on the field for at least 96 percent of defensive snaps in each one. The only game he missed was due to his placement on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after he was deemed to be a high-risk, close contact of an individual who tested positive.
Bradberry was a dominant force in Big Blue's secondary. The fifth-year corner matched his previous career-high of three interceptions, while sitting new personal bests with two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 18 passes defensed, just two behind Miami's Xavier Howard for the league lead.
Although he was pleased with his performance, Bradberry admitted to reporters last week that there is still work to be done to improve his game.
"I made sure I stayed on my game and stayed in the film throughout the season, being able to recognize certain routes and stuff," Bradberry said. "When the opportunity came, I made the most of my opportunities, like the pick against the Eagles. Some people might say Carson (Wentz) was giving me a free one, but I had to go up there and make the play in order for me to make the interception and make a game-changing play. Just making the most of your opportunities. I had two drops the last game of the season against the Cowboys, so just continuing to work on my ball skills and try to create turnovers."
Bradberry's consistency played a pivotal role in the defense's success. Big Blue finished the year ranked ninth in points allowed and 12th in yards allowed, while their 22 passing touchdowns surrendered tied for the fifth-fewest in the league.
The Giants will have to address certain areas of the roster this off-season, but the secondary will likely look very similar to how it did in 2020. Bradberry, Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers, Xavier McKinney, Julian Love, and Darnay Holmes remain under contract, along with Isaac Yiadom, Madre Harper and several others.
"It's a good thing having a group that's coming back," the veteran corner said. "I know when I was in Carolina, the starting lineup was always changing every year. Chemistry is a real thing, it's a big thing in a secondary group, especially when you play a complicated scheme how we play. Everybody has to be on the same page. I'm excited going into next year."
Linebacker Blake Martinez echoed those feelings after watching the defense improve as the season wore on. The Giants surrendered more than 20 points just twice over the final eight games of the season while going 5-3 during that stretch. Toss in another year of familiarity with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's system and you can understand the optimism.
"We didn't have OTAs [in 2020]. We had a training camp, but we [still] spent the same amount of time [with no allowances]," Bradberry said. "We kind of had to force all of the information into a certain amount of weeks, so of course we started off slow. Like you saw with the defense, we picked it up towards the end. I just felt like we were growing together. Of course, hopefully that continues to go into next year. That's why I'm so excited that we have our guys coming back on the backend…
"Coach Graham, I think he's going to do what he does. He did a great job this year for us. But I think it's more so on the players growing. He always tells us the league is about players. If we can't really handle the system on the field, then the system is not going to work. Like you said, we have players coming back that we had this year. I'm feeling pretty strong about the season for next year."
One of those returning defenders, safety Xavier McKinney, only played in a handful of games as a rookie. He did not make his NFL debut until Week 12 due to a foot injury suffered during training camp. Despite the extended absence, the Alabama product made his presence felt once he got on the field, picking up the game-sealing interception against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
Bradberry believes the sky is the limit for the young defensive back.
"First off, I think he's very smart," Bradberry explained. "He had a lot of positions he had to play, so he had to learn a lot in a short amount of time. I think he's a very smart player. Of course, he has athletic ability. You see that on the tape. It's just about growing in the system. More time that you have, the more snaps that you have within a system, the more your confidence is going to grow, the more your knowledge is going to grow.
"Just have to be patient with him. Just give him more time, and of course I was happy when he got the pick because he had missed most of the year with an injury. My locker was close to his so I would talk to him often. I could sense his frustration not being on the field with us, so when he was able to make that game-changing play and then pretty much ended the season with a victory, a big win against the Cowboys, I was happy for him. I know he was happy."
In the meantime, Bradberry ought to be pleased when he reviews his own season on tape. His 79.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus was the seventh-highest among cornerbacks, while his 79.9 coverage grade ranked fifth among outside corners. Bradberry also ranked fourth in forced incompletion rate (21 percent). It all added up to his first Pro Bowl selection.
"Salute to the fans, salute to the market I play in. I'm very grateful," he told reporters about his first season with the Giants. "It's been exciting being here, just having the full support of everyone around the facility, fans, media, everyone."
View photos of Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry during his time with the Giants.
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) reaches for a Hail Mary ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 in Seattle. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12. (Alika Jenner via AP)
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New York Giants' James Bradberry, right, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Arizona Cardinals' KeeSean Johnson (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor (18) during a week 10 regular season football game at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive backs James Bradberry (24) and Julian Love (20) and Seattle Seahawks wide receivers David Moore, lower right, and DK Metcalf go up for a pass on fourth down. during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive back James Bradberry is pictured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24)breaks up a pass during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during an NFL football game Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) watches the ball go past as New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) drops into coverage during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Eagles 27-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants defensive back James Bradberry is pictured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry, right, breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants defensive back James Bradberry is pictured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New York Giants defensive back James Bradberry defends a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) looks at Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Auden Tate (19) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor (18) during a NFL football game Sunday Nov. 15, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) plays the field during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 02, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Buccaneers beat the Giants 25-23. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) plays the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants won 19-17. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
New York Giants' James Bradberry, right, knocks away a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Scott Miller (10) rushes against New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, NJ. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) defends against Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, Md. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday Nov. 15, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants' James Bradberry (24) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) plays the field during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 02, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Buccaneers beat the Giants 25-23. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday Dec.13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) rushes against New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, NJ. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants' James Bradberry during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
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New York Giants' James Bradberry (24) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 22-21. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants' James Bradberry, right, knocks away a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' James Bradberry (24) reacts with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) reacts after an interception in the end zone with linebacker Devante Downs (52) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 22-21. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New York Giants' James Bradberry (24) intercepts a pass against Philadelphia Eagles' John Hightower (82) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during the NFL football gam against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Giants' James Bradberry (24) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 22-21. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) rushes against New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, NJ. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) reaches for the ball intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) during the NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Giants' James Bradberry (24) intercepts a pass against Philadelphia Eagles' John Hightower (82) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday Oct.18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) intercepts a pass during a NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday Oct.18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Ryan Lewis (37) and cornerback James Bradberry (24) stop Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) during a NFL football game Sunday Oct. 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) runs back an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) takes out the legs of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (11) during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Giants 37-34. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) celebrates with teammates after making an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants cornerbacks Ryan Lewis (37) and James Bradberry (24) tackle Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 20-19. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) defends against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) kneels during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Giants 37-34. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) intercepts Washington Football Team quarterback Kyle Allen (8) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) covers during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. Rams won 17-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) approaches the line of scrimmage during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Giants 37-34. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday Sept. 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) is tacked by New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) after a 21 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sep. 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Steelers defeated the Giants 26-16. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Jabrill Peppers (21), James Bradberry (24), Julian Love (20)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) intercepts a pass from Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson (12) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
New York Giants defensive back James Bradberry (24) defends during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams defeated the Giants 17-9. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Auden Tate (19) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 26, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday September 2, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 17, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday June 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
