Darian Thompson Photo from www.idahostatesman.com

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants added another contender to their already crowded safety position Friday night, when they selected Boise State safety Darian Thompson on the third round of the NFL Draft.

Thompson, a 6-2, 210-pounder who was chosen 71^st overall, had a Mountain West Conference record 19 career interceptions. He will compete for the starting job opposite second-year pro Landon Collins with three former Giants draft choices who missed the 2015 season with injuries: Nat Berhe, Bennett Jackson and Mykkele Thompson. Jackson was drafted as a cornerback, and could conceivably work there as well.

“We have a lot of young guys in the safety mix and, quite frankly, we haven’t seen them,” coach Ben McAdoo said. “They have been nicked up. They basically had a medical redshirt type year last year, and it is good to get them back out there. They are working to get back out and get back out 100 percent, so we are chomping at the bit to look at those guys. Darian is a guy we are going to throw into the mix and let them all compete.”

The Giants’ newest Thompson is eager to join the group in the back of the defense.

“I’m extremely blessed to be there,” he said. “When I get in there, have my best foot forward and just continue to work. I believe I have a great work ethic and nothing’s going to change from that, so whatever happens when I get there, it just happens. I’m excited. I’m going to give it all I have and see what happens when I get out there.”

The Giants have proven they’re perfectly comfortable playing young safeties. Collins started all 16 games as a rookie last season at free safety, and led the team with 108 tackles, but he is perhaps best suited to play closer to the line of scrimmage. With Darian Thompson joining the group, Collins will certainly work there.

“We need to get them both in here and look at them,” McAdoo said. “I think Landon had a nice camp this week. (He) did some nice things back deep and we feel that he is growing and doing a nice job there improving, and I don’t think you can say ‘always’ and ‘never’ in this business.”

In four seasons at Boise State, Thompson played in 51 games. He finished his career with 242 tackles (149 solo), 15 tackles for losses, a sack and those 19 interceptions, including seven as a junior and five last season.

The Giants hope he can contribute in their regular and sub defenses, as well as on special teams.

“We think he’s a free safety,” said general manager Jerry Reese. “He makes the calls back there for his team, he’s a ball hawk back there. We think he’s going to create a lot of competition in the secondary at that safety position. Looking forward to getting him in here.”

“He is very instinctive,” McAdoo said. “He has tremendous ball skills, but the instincts and the twitch make it happen for him.”

On a conference call from his hometown of Lancaster, Calif., Thompson said his success is due to more than his physical attributes.

“First of all, I’m an extremely smart football player,” Thompson said. “I know how to study film and diagnose plays and put myself in the right spot in order to make plays and make turnovers. I think that’s what I do best. I have a knack for the football, and I feel like an interception is just as much as a touchdown, so that’s what I’m going after.”

The Giants secondary can certainly use a player who has a nose for the ball.

“I’m happy where I am now, I couldn’t be more excited,” Thompson said. “I’m just ready to get to work.”