The New York Giants will field a fresh crop of rookie talent in 2024 and several are expected to have expansive roles.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers, selected with the sixth overall pick in April’s NFL draft, has understandably commanded the most attention and generated the most hype, but another emerging talent has flown under the radar.
Outside of the building in East Rutherford, second-round safety Tyler Nubin is somewhat of an afterthought. He was a quality player at Minnesota but lacks the star power that Nabers has embraced.
However, inside the building, excitement over Nubin may actually exceed that of Nabers, as Giants players recently revealed to Dan Duggan of The Athletic.
“Rookies come in, and especially the big city, big market, they’re kind of wide-eyed, and it’s a lot. You can kind of feel their anxiety, where it’s like a lot of people are pulling them, a lot of people saying do this or do that. He’s really headstrong,” safety Jason Pinnock said. “That goes a long way because it takes certain wrinkles out that rookies have to go through. I’m excited as hell.”
Veteran running back Devin Singletary has seen a lot of talent come and go throughout his six-year career but Nubin just seems to have it.
“He’s flashed a lot,” Singletary said. “His physicality and for the most part it seems like he’s in the right position when he’s out there. That’s always a good sign. I don’t know what everyone’s expectation is of him, but that will be a guy to keep your eye on.”
Although Nubin sits behind Dane Belton on the team’s most recent unofficial depth chart, precious few expect it to remain that way. Linebacker Carter Coughlin believes the 23-year-old safety will make an immediate impact.
“If you watch his college tape, you’ll know why. And Game 1, you’ll see why. Whatever opportunities he gets, he’ll make the most of it,” he said.
Giants players named Nubin their top breakout candidates with others — Jason Pinnock, Deonte Banks, Theo Johnson, Eric Gray, Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Elijah Chatman, Dyontae Johnson, Cor’Dale Flott, and Nick McCloud — also receiving votes.
“Just his confidence. The way he plays and the way he brings it every day at practice. You see in his game he’s confident. He wants that No. 1 guy. He wants that matchup, and he’s a dawg, linebacker Azeez Ojulari said of Banks.
The Giants are one of the youngest teams in the NFL but that youth is breeding excitement and optimism, perhaps none more than Nubin.
