Dru Phillips isn’t backing down.
No matter the history of the opposing receiver, you won’t get it from them.
It’s not a primary role the Giants will likely thrust upon him.
Not from any battle.
The 22-year-old Phillips, the Giants’ third-round draft pick (70th overall) out of the University of Kentucky, is expected to be the youngest starter on the defense.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
He could be the lone rookie starter on defense, but second-round pick Tyler Nubin, 23, is inclined to win the strong safety position.
Phillips has stayed healthy throughout training camp and the preseason and has seen the majority of first-team practices as a nickel cornerback.
“No,” Phillips told The Post on Thursday when asked if he felt the weight of that responsibility. “Because mistakes are going to happen. You can’t go into the game expecting perfection. In my case, I just try to be as perfect as I can. I don’t feel like I have a big role. It’s a privilege. Every day when I go out there, I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team.”
Phillips injured his ankle last week and missed the Giants’ 28-10 preseason loss to the Texans, but returned to practice this weekend. He recorded a tackle for loss in the Giants’ 14-3 win over the Lions in their preseason opener.
Coach Brian Daboll is expected to rest most of his starters for Saturday’s preseason finale against the Jets, but Phillips is one of several young players who could play.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and weighing 180 pounds, Phillips’ tenacity and physical strength are what stand out most about his game. They’re also what excite team executives.
During a joint practice with the Lions two weeks ago before the preseason began, Phillips spent time in coverage, then lunged at Detroit star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, a first-team All-Pro selection last year.
St. Brown shoved Giants safety Dane Belton, Phillips retaliated, and the two ended up getting into a brawl.
“Look at rookie Jrue Phillips versus Amon-Ra St. Brown. He didn’t flinch,” assistant general manager Brandon Brown said Tuesday. “I think Jrue’s toughness, his quiet toughness, his ability to play tenaciously at nickel, do a really good job every day and go up against Amon-Ra St. Brown is incredible.” [Giants wide receiver and ex-Kentucky teammate] Onedale [Robinson]”And then he matches that move at the top of the route. It was really good to see a savvy, sophisticated route runner like Amon-Ra match that move two days in a row without flinching.”
Phillips’ youth is emblematic of a theme throughout the Giants’ secondary, particularly their cornerback group.
This unit represents the Giants’ biggest question mark and biggest gamble entering the season.
They let Adoree Jackson go in free agency and didn’t sign a proven veteran to replace him, but Phillips is by far the most notable addition the Giants have made at cornerback.
Last year’s first-round draft pick, Deonte Banks, has been promoted to the top cornerback role.
The Giants’ third-round draft pick, Cordale Flott, in his third year, came into camp expected to be the No. 2 cornerback, but a tough summer and a quadriceps injury left fourth-year undrafted player Nick McCloud competing for the position.
If Nubin doesn’t start at strong safety, it will be Belton, a former fourth-round pick entering his third year, who has only started seven games.
And Jason Pinnock, who is expected to start at free safety, will be in his fourth year, though last year was his first as a true starter.
This means that there aren’t many products known on the secondary market.
“We may be young, and we all know we’re young, but we all know and can see the skill, the potential and the talent of the people in that room,” Phillips said. “We’re all trying to achieve the same goal. We know we’re young and inexperienced when we go to work every day, but we ask the older guys, the veterans, every day how they can help us. We’re all growing and learning together.”
Meanwhile, Phillips is off to a great start as a representative of the youth movement.
But he’s not going to be satisfied.
“Every day I come here I feel like it’s my last day,” Phillips said. “I come here and just work every day. I feel like I’m not where I need to be, where I personally want to be. The effort that you put in, you get results.”
