Blogging The Boys
A member of the Giants’ secondary may make a big leap this year.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra recently chose one potential first time Pro Bowler for every team across the NFL.
When it came to the Giants, he went with second-year cornerback Dru Phillips.
“Head coach Brian Daboll has already said he sees Phillips making a “big jump” in Year 2, and teammates have praised the slot corner’s upside,” Patra wrote. “In 2024, Phillips showed potential as a run defender and generated a -7.2 target EPA — the best mark on the team, according to Next Gen Stats (min. 200 coverage snaps). Phillips’ aggressive, physical style plays well near the line of scrimmage. Stepping into a bigger role with a better understanding of the defense, the 23-year-old has the chance to grow into one of the better slot defenders in the NFC.”
Phillips played in 14 games with six starts in his first NFL season. He registered 71 total tackles (46 solo), seven tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and one interception.
According to Pro Football Focus, the slot corner allowed just 41 receptions for 373 yards and one touchdown on 335 snaps in coverage.
Of the 77 corners from across the league that played at least 600 snaps this season, Phillips finished as PFF’s seventh-best cornerback overall and the second-best among rookies, behind only Philadelphia’s Cooper DeJean.
As Patra noted, Daboll has already praised Phillips for the jump he’s seen the young corner make since the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.
“He’s made a big jump from year one to year two, just the overall communication in that area in particular,” Daboll said towards the start of training camp. “I think he’s got a lot of confidence right now. He’s a good football player. He’s got a lot of physical traits that help him play that spot that he plays. It’s the nickel position and you’re part defensive back and at times part linebacker. He’s tough but I would say his communication and his process of how he does things and he’s taken a good step and we need him to.”
Practice serves to develop both players and coaches in Washington.
The Washington Commanders’ intrasquad scrimmage earlier this week was another unique opportunity for players to compete, but it wasn’t the only thing happening on the team’s practice field.
Head coach Dan Quinn went a step further in splitting up the roster by throwing the coaching, equipment and strength and conditioning staffs into the mix. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. served as the head coaches for the Burgundy and Gold teams, respectively, while the assistant coaches were assigned to roles they don’t...
