Any checklist of the NFL’s greatest cornerbacks should embody Patrick Surtain II, Marlon Humphrey and Trent McDuffie.
Is Giants rookie Dru Phillips going to safe a spot in that long-term dialog?
Phillips is maintaining esteemed firm because the No. 6-ranked cornerback within the NFL, in keeping with Professional Soccer Focus’ play-by-play grading system.
The checklist consists of the best names — the Broncos’ Surtain, Ravens’ Humphrey and Chiefs’ McDuffie at Nos. 1, 3 and 5, respectively — alongside a few rookies in Phillips and the Eagles’ Cooper DeJean and Payments breakout third-year professional Christian Benford.
“Coming in, you hear about the NFL guys, and I give everyone the benefit of the doubt,” Phillips instructed The Submit. “But I go out there and I’m like, ‘Oh s–t, I’m pretty damn good, too.’ I’ve been out there going against the best, and I can hang.”
Phillips, who has lined up within the slot on 425 of 511 defensive snaps, doesn’t have a PFF subscription however laughed in settlement on the suggestion that he might need to embrace the polarizing analytics web site the best way they help him.
“It’s good to be recognized in some sort of way,” Phillips stated. “It’s a cool accomplishment. Good for confidence, I guess.”
Till final week’s loss to the Falcons, Phillips was ranked No. 2 — sandwiched between Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidate Surtain and two-time Tremendous Bowl champion McDuffie, each of whom had been first-team All-Execs throughout their second seasons.
“That’s a crazy thought,” Phillips laughed. “After the season, I might sit back and be like, ‘I did pretty good.’ During the season, it’s just work, work, work to get to that point.”
There’s no denying Phillips exceeded expectations for a third-round decide — a wasteland for Giants’ drafts over the past twenty years — who has been stout in run help and allowed 30 catches for 274 yards and one landing in 14 video games, per NextGenStats.
His man-to-man protection has been particularly sticky.
“He’s a physical player. I think he’s shown that,” head coach Brian Daboll stated. “Where he plays in particular, he’s part of a lot of run fits. He’s an aggressive tackler and continues to improve. He definitely has a lot of upside.”
However the place’s the Kentucky product’s signature play?
Was it the best way that he squared up the Vikings’ C.J. Ham and compelled a fumble on the primary defensive collection of his profession?
Or his sack of the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels when he regarded like he was shot out of a cannon within the scramble drill?
Or was it punching out the ball on a display move to the Panthers’ Chuba Hubbard for his second pressured fumble?
The Giants (2-13) misplaced all three video games, in fact.
So, perhaps it’s nonetheless to return in 12 months 2.
“I feel like I’m so new and I’ve done some good stuff this year,” Phillips stated. “But I could’ve made so many more plays. That’s the exciting thing about football and right now in my career: I can get so much better.”
The following field to examine is getting the ball extra typically.
“There’s been times this year that I have, but on a more consistent basis, so people are just like, ‘When a play needs to be made, you can count on Dru to go make it,’” Phillips stated. “That’s kind of where I’m headed with the experience of seeing more things. I trust it will come. That’s definitely the next step.”
The Giants had hoped to draft a cornerback within the second spherical till 4 straight had been picked simply earlier than their flip, in order that they pivoted to security Tyler Nubin.
There have been some nervous third-round moments ready to see if Phillips can be obtainable.
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson recognized him as a three-down nickel, and basic supervisor Joe Schoen referred to as him the “last corner that we would be fired up about getting before the developmental guys” throughout HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”
“He’ll be a good young player to continue to develop,” Daboll stated. “Create turnovers, knock the ball out, intercept the pass, those are all things that you need to do to be an elite defensive back.”
Phillips will probably be within the lineup Sunday in opposition to the Colts after getting back from a two-game absence (shoulder) final week.
Shutting it down wasn’t a consideration, even in a misplaced season.
“I wanted to finish on a strong note,” Phillips stated. “Not just vanish out of here. Leave a good taste.”
