The New York Giants finished the 2024 regular season with a record of 3-14, the worst in franchise history. It was hardly the way co-owner John Mara wanted to celebrate the team’s 100th anniversary.
Most of what transpired in East Rutherford was ugly, culminating with a series of aerial protests that only relented over the final weeks due to inclement weather.
But there were some silver linings and reasons for optimism. Most stemmed from the team’s rookies, which saw the entire six-player class and some undrafted free agents make an on-field impact.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. were the most obvious success stories, but they all played their part. And one of those rookies is now receiving justified praise.
Pro Football Focus has named cornerback Andru Phillips the Giants’ secret superstar from 2024.
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. 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.
Phillips, who was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, appeared in 14 games (six starts), recording 71 tackles (46 solo, seven for a loss), one QB hit, one sack, two forced fumbles, one pass defensed, and one interception.
