The New York Giants are counting on their defense in 2019. The team is planning on trotting out Eli Manning for another season, and they'll need a strong defense supporting him if they want him to be successful.

They'll also be counting on a bunch of young guys on defense, which complicates things. Pat Shurmur already had one disappointing season in 2018, and can't afford another. The team is in win-now mode and doesn't have much time to wait around on rookies to get adjusted.

To that end, defensive coordinator James Bettcher said recently the rookies will need to speed things up, per Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com.

“When they come out of this phase of the season, they need to be further ahead than maybe (rookies) a year ago or at other places that I have been.”

The Giants had three first-round picks and used two of them on the defense. They added defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and cornerback Deandre Baker, and both could be starters in Week 1.

One of the veteran leaders of the defense, linebacker Alec Ogletree, likes what he's seen from the young guys so far.

“They definitely are getting it,” Ogletree said. “You can tell just by the questions they ask in the classroom. Then during practice, they take what they do individually and apply it to the team periods and stuff. Like I said, we’re on the right track right now of being a good defense.”

That's great to hear, although it will be hard to tell until live bullets start flying. Bettcher also added that the young guys are “asking good questions, coming prepared, and being challenged in their position rooms by their coaches to know more than just A, B, and C.” If Baker and Lawrence can pan out, Ogletree might be right about this defense.