It’s troublesome to search out many shiny spots on the Giants’ protection via two video games.
However Dru Phillips has been laborious to overlook, no matter how rotten the performances have been round him.
Moreover star Dexter Lawrence, the rookie cornerback has doubtless been probably the most spectacular participant on the Giants’ protection via two video games.
“Being on the market as a rookie, guys depend on me to know what I’m doing and to go on the market and make performs,” Phillips instructed The Submit after Giants apply on Friday. “I attempt to go on the market and do my stuff, as a result of all camp, if I make a mistake, I do know they’re all looking at me. So I’m simply making an attempt to not mess up and go do what I bought to do.”
The Giants drafted Phillips out of Kentucky within the third spherical, and he had appeared to win the beginning nickel cornerback spot popping out of coaching camp and the preseason.
However he surprisingly didn’t begin Week 1 in a 28-6 loss to the Vikings and performed simply 29 p.c of snaps on protection.
He made probably the most of his restricted motion, although, forcing a fumble with 4 whole tackles and a sort out for loss.
By Week 2, Phillips was beginning.
He performed 92 p.c of defensive snaps within the 21-18 loss to the Commanders, in flip seeing his particular groups workload shrink from 46 p.c to 29 p.c of snaps.
Phillips was dominant, recording a sack, 12 whole tackles, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit.
Phillips owns a 77.5 total grade from Professional Soccer Focus — eighth-highest amongst all cornerbacks within the NFL.
“Actually was happy with Dru,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen stated Thursday. “I feel his toughness confirmed up. He was productive. He was concerned. The extra he performs, I feel the higher he’s going to get.”
That toughness is what most stands out about Phillips’ recreation.
Although he has been robust in protection — he has an 80.0 protection grade from PFF — Phillips’ tackling potential, particularly close to the road of scrimmage, may be felt from the sector.
And tackling has been a difficulty for the Giants via two weeks.
“He’s a canine,” second-year cornerback Deonte Banks — final yr’s first-round choose — instructed The Submit Friday. “Simply his relentlessness — he’s in every single place. Tackles for loss, sacks, tackles, in every single place.
“He’s bought an actual good motor — like an actual good motor.”
The Giants’ secondary entered the season as one of many crew’s largest query marks and has executed little to quell considerations.
The defensive backs round Phillips, who’re extra skilled, have struggled — Cor’Dale Flott owns a 55.4 total PFF grade, whereas Banks is at 52.9.
At security, rookie Tyler Nubin is at 62.3 and Jason Pinnock is at 44.3.
The teenager is main the best way.
“I nonetheless really feel like a rookie in each facet,” Phillips stated. “My alternative has come, identical to everybody else’s will. I took benefit of it.”