Not many things went right for the New York Giants during the 2024 season, but the rookie class was a pleasant surprise.
While star wide receiver Malik Nabers (rightfully) garners most of the attention, but the rest of the six-player class performed extremely well in their first season in the league.
Among those players was cornerback Andru Phillips, the team’s third-round pick out of Kentucky. Spending most of his time in the slot, Phillips was an enforcer against the run while providing some sticky coverage.
In turn, Phillips received some high praise from Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, who named the defensive back as the Giants’ “secret superstar” from the 2024 season.
“Malik Nabers was the headliner rookie for New York, but Phillips was great in his own right. Among qualified cornerbacks, Phillips’ 77.5 PFF overall grade ranked seventh, his 78.1 run-defense grade placed 15th and his 75.8 PFF coverage grade slotted 11th,” Locker wrote. “Among all defensive rookies to play 500 or more snaps, Phillips ranked third in PFF overall grade, trailing only Jared Verse and Edgerrin Cooper. With the Giants needing more help on the boundary in the secondary, Phillips seems like a cornerstone slot man — and a gem of a pick by Joe Schoen.”
Of his 614 snaps during the season, Pro Football Focus had Phillips in the slot for 506 of those snaps. His 95.6 passer rating allowed from the slot ranked 23rd among qualified cornerbacks.
The Giants need to add to the secondary this offseason, especially with questions surrounding Deonte Banks as a true No. 1 cornerback.
However, they should feel confident that they have a cornerstone piece from the slot as Phillips goes into Year 2.
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