The Giants defense is loaded with game-changing talent, but the secondary is searching for a reliable playmaker following the departure of safety Xavier McKinney.
Third-round cornerback Jrue Phillips could provide just that.
The Kentucky native has primarily played on Big Blue’s second-team defense but has already earned some playing time with Deonte Banks and the team’s top unit.
In working with the 23-year-old Banks, third-year cornerback Cordell Flott and rookie safety Tyler Nubin, Phillips noticed their incredible tenacity.
“We’re all young and we’re all eager,” Phillips said after Thursday’s practice, the second of training camp. “Nobody’s expecting anything to be handed to them. We’re all trying to make each other better because we’re all trying to learn together at the same time.”
After four years in Lexington, two of which were as a starter, Phillips moves to the Big Apple to join a defense that finished 26th in points per game and 19th in passing yards allowed.
With McKinney and veteran starter Adore Jackson gone from the Blue, the Giants face uncertainty at the No. 2 cornerback position and at nickelback, where McKinney played 167 snaps last season.
The organization returns Nick McCloud, Flott, Darnay Holmes and Tre Hawkins III, but none played more than 332 coverage snaps in 2023, and only McCloud graded out as an above-average coverage man, according to Pro Football Focus.
That could open up an opportunity for Phillips, who knows he’s currently low on the roster.
“Nothing was ever given to me,” the 22-year-old said. “I had to work hard to get here. I had no clear goals coming into this tournament. [No.] Now I’m in first place. Every day is a competition and my goal is to get better.”
In addition to the personnel changes, the team will welcome Shane Bowen as its new defensive coordinator, who has led the Titans’ defense for the past three seasons.
Phillips, who said he has reviewed every Tennessee game “for the past few years,” acknowledged it will take some time for him to get used to the new concept, but he is intrigued by Nickel’s presence.
“They use the nickel a lot of different ways,” said Phillips, who played 37.6 percent of his collegiate snaps inside. “There are some ways I have to learn and do better. I’ve got to be able to do everything. Fit the run, cover the slot, get in the zone and play man coverage. I like that. They expect me to communicate a lot, and that’s what I’ve always wanted.”
It’s only Phillips’ second day at NFL camp, but he’s already drawing praise from his older peers in the secondary who are vying for a rookie starting spot.
“I think he’s done a great job,” McCloud said. “It’s tough coming in as a rookie DB, but it’s even tougher to play in the slot as a rookie. He’s come in here and he’s competed, and that’s all we can ask for right now.”
Whether it’s as a nickel or a boundary corner, Phillips, the 70th overall pick this April, is prioritizing the Giants’ greater success over his personal aspirations.
“I’m just trying to help this team any way I can,” Phillips said. “I’m competing to the best of my ability, but no matter what, at the end of the day, the goal is to win games. Whether that’s special teams, whether that’s nickel, whatever that is, I’m going to do it.”
