Giants’ rookie safety has massive shoes to fill in 2024

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Credit: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

The New York Giants will be leaning on a very young secondary to hold down the fort in 2024. Newcomer Tyler Nubin will be filling a massive hole left by Xavier McKinney at the safety position and will look to make an impression in his first NFL season.

Standout Minnesota safety is the newest addition to the Giants’ young secondary

Aug 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tyler Nubin (New York Giants) (27) celebrates a stop against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Nubin, a second-round pick by the Giants in the 2024 NFL Draft, was a standout defensive back during a five-year college career at Minnesota. Nubin accumulated 207 total tackles, and snagged 13 interceptions in his college career, eventually landing with Big Blue with the 47th overall pick in the draft.

Nubin will need to fill the void left by Xavier McKinney

New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) holds the ball as he celebrates with New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) and New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) after he intercepted a Philadelphia Eagles pass
Credit: Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 23-year-old rookie will be filling in the void left by former Giants’ safety Xavier McKinney, who departed to the Green Bay Packers this offseason. McKinney, a former captain of the New York secondary, signed a lucrative four-year, $68 million deal with Green Bay after spending the first four seasons of his career with Big Blue.

McKinney departs after the best season of his career

New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) reacts before the game against Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Fulfilling McKinney’s void won’t be an easy task for Nubin. Bedeviled by injuries in recent years, McKinney was able to stay healthy in 2023 and put together the best season of his NFL career, finishing with 116 total tackles, and three interceptions for a career-best 87.5 Pro Football Focus grade. With one of the most prominent figures of the Giants’ defense gone, Nubin will have plenty of responsibility in year one of his NFL career.

Nubin will be a part of a young Giants secondary in 2024 that will be looking to make forward progress following a disappointing 2023 season for Big Blue. Even if the team doesn’t compete for the playoffs this season, solid development from the future of the team could still be beneficial going forward.

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