Giants rookie cornerback named their ‘secret superstar’

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) runs with the ball before being pushed out of bounds by New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) during a game between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.
Credit: Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New York Giants have a core of talented young pieces to build around for the future. Among them is cornerback Dru Phillips who the Giants drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After an impressive rookie season, Phillips is gaining recognition as a “secret superstar.”

PFF says Dru Phillips is the Giants’ “secret superstar”

Pro Football Focus recently named one “secret superstar” for each of the 32 teams in the NFL. Phillips earned the honor for the Giants following his stellar debut season:

“Malik Nabers was the headliner rookie for New York, but Phillips was great in his own right,” PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote. “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.”

Dec 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) returns an interception as Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (79) tackles during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Expectations are usually lower for a mid-round rookie such as Phillips. However, in a depleted New York secondary, Phillips was asked to play as a full-time starter as a rookie. He answered the call and turned in high-quality snaps throughout the season, performing as one of the team’s best players on the defensive side of the ball.

Phillips finished his rookie season with 71 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and one interception. Playing as the Giants’ full-time nickel cornerback, Phillips exceeded all expectations in the first season of his promising NFL career.

Entering 2025, Phillips is now viewed as a foundational building block in Big Blue’s defense. As their “secret superstar,” it won’t take long for that secret to be revealed if the 23-year-old defensive back continues playing as well as he did as a rookie.

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