Any list of the best cornerbacks in the NFL will always include Patrick Surtain II, Marlon Humphrey, and Trent McDuffie.
Could Giants rookie Jrue Phillips secure a place in those long-term discussions?
Phillips remains highly rated as the No. 6 cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus' play-by-play rating system.
The list includes the correct names Surtin of the Broncos, Humphrey of the Ravens and McDuffie of the Chiefs at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, as well as Phillips and the Eagles' Cooper DeJean and the Bills' breakout third-year pro. Christian Benford, who has several rookies in line.
“You're going to come here and hear about NFL players, but I want to leave you with no doubts,” Phillips told the Post. “But when you go out there, you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’m pretty good, too.’” I’ve played against the best teams, and I can endure. ”
Phillips, who qualified for the slot with 425 of 511 defensive snaps, is not a member of PFF, but the suggestion he may have to embrace the polarizing analysis website in the same way they support it I laughed in agreement.
“It's good to be recognized in some way,” Phillips said. “It's a great achievement. I think it will give me confidence.”
Until last week's loss to the Falcons, Phillips was ranked No. 2, sandwiched between Surtain, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and McDuffie, a two-time Super Bowl champion, who both He was a first-team All-Pro in his first season.
“That's a crazy idea,” Phillips laughed. “At the end of the season, you might sit back and think, 'I did pretty good.' During the season, you just work, work, work to get there.”
According to NextGenStats, Phillips, who has been solid in run support, allowing 30 catches, 274 yards and one touchdown in 14 games, is a third-round pick in what has been a wasteland for the Giants' drafts over the past two decades. I can't deny that it exceeded my expectations.
His one-on-one interviews were particularly tenacious.
“He's a strong physical player, and I think he showed that,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “Especially where he plays, he's been in a lot of run fits. He's an offensive tackler and continues to develop. He definitely has a lot of upside.”
But where is the Kentucky product's signature play?
Was it the way he forced a fumble on the first defensive series of his career against the Vikings' C.J. Ham?
Or the sack of Commander Jayden Daniels when he appeared to be hit by a cannonball during a scramble drill?
Or did he punch the ball away on a screen pass to the Panthers' Tuba Hubbard and cause a second fumble?
Of course, the Giants (2 wins, 13 losses) lost all three games.
So, the second year is probably still a long way off.
“I'm very new and I feel like I've done some good things this year,” Phillips said. “But I could have played a lot more. That's what's exciting about football, and I think I can get better at this point in my career.”
The next box to check is to win the ball more often.
“We've had moments like that this year, but on a more consistent basis, people are like, 'When I need a play made, I can count on Drew to make it,'” Phillips said. “That's where I'm headed with more experience to see. I'm sure it's coming. It's definitely the next step.”
The Giants pivoted to safety Tyler Nubin because they wanted to draft a cornerback in the second round until they had four consecutive picks just before the turn.
There were some tense moments in the third round as Phillips waited to see if he would be available.
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson identified him as a three-down nickel, and general manager Joe Schon on HBO's “Hard Knocks” called him a “developing player.” “This is the last corner where you get fired up.”
“He's going to be a good young player who will continue to develop,” Daboll said. “Creating turnovers, knocking down balls, intercepting passes. Those are all things you need to do to be an elite defensive back.”
Phillips returned from missing two games last week (shoulder) and is scheduled to start Sunday against the Colts.
Closing it down, even for a lost season, was never considered.
“I wanted to finish on a strong note,” Phillips said. “Don't just disappear from here. Leave a good taste behind.”
