Andru Phillips named New York Giants’ unsung hero of 2024

The New York Giants determined to retain normal supervisor Joe Schoen after a disastrous 3-14 marketing campaign in 2024 largely due to his success on the draft desk final spring.

Schoen solely had six picks to work with however made all of them depend. The offensive gamers are well-known (large receiver Malik Nabers, tight finish Theo Johnson, Trunning again Tyrone Tracy Jr.) however the defensive gamers made their mark as nicely.

Security Tyler Nubin, cornerback Andru Phillips, and linebacker Darius Muasau all had been main contributors on protection.

Phillips was just lately recognized because the Giants’ “unsung hero” for the 2024 season by Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

Schoen has taken a whole lot of Ls just lately, however Phillips is a W. The third-round choose appears like a steal after Yr 1, proving to be the Giants’ prime cowl man. He led Large Blue with a -7.2 goal EPA and was the one New York nook with a detrimental EPA per goal (-0.17). The Giants desperately need assistance on the skin of the protection heading into 2025, however they need to be assured in Phillips rising within the slot gig. Between Nabers, Phillips and Tracy, the Giants’ 2024 draft class produced a number of constructing blocks.

Phillips, a third-round pick of Kentucky, performed in 14 video games in 2024, beginning three, however he was assigned principally as a slot and nickel nook with Deonte Banks and Cor’Dale Flott manning the skin spots.

Nabers, who was nominated for Offensive Rookie of the Yr, is content material this yr’s draft class is the one that can get the Giants again on the successful monitor.

“We’re blissful the place we’re at,” Nabers mentioned. “Proceed to develop day by day. Loads of issues to repair, a whole lot of issues we are able to look again on in our rookie yr and proceed to attempt to get higher for subsequent yr. I’m proud of the group that determined to come back right here, that they picked. We’ve been doing a whole lot of nice issues.

“I really feel like we’re all dawgs… We’ve acquired that mentality that we need to win. Nothing’s going to cease us from getting carried out what we need to get carried out. To have that as a gaggle and multi function, the sky’s the restrict for us, I’m blissful for that.”

The Giants haven’t had such an impactful draft class since 2007. They received the Tremendous Bowl that season.