Tag: Andru Phillips

Giants NFL Draft grades: Andru Philips, CB, Kentucky 70th overall

Giants NFL Draft grade for selecting Kentucky CB Andru Phillips in the third round

The New York Giants have made a massive effort to forge what is quickly becoming one of the NFL’s most talented defenses over the last two seasons, and in this draft that made even more steps to improve it. With the selection of Kentucky cornerback Andru Philips the Giants add some more of that young talent to their secondary.

Philips projects as a potential immediate starter either outside as a boundary corner or inside as the Giant’s nickel corner. With veterans Nick McCloud and Darnay Holmes on the roster, Philips will have to battle it out and find his natural role at the next level and try to take a starting spot in his rookie season.

A fundamentally sound corner, who has NFL level speed, and plenty of physicality in his game, Philips brings excellent value in the third round to a New York team that could put him out on the field right away. With plenty of upside despite his lack of interception in college, Philips is a terrific pick this late into the draft class.

Grade: A

Giants sign Andru Phillips to rookie contract

The New York Giants have signed third-round cornerback Andru Phillips to his rookie deal.

The New York Giants continued getting their 2024 NFL draft class under contract this week, signing third-round cornerback Andru Phillips to his rookie deal.

Phillips joins wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy as those who have signed.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Phillips is expected to come in and play nickel corner — his preference — while Cor’Dale Flott shifts to the outside.

“I can play both, but preferably the nickel position,” he told reporters during rookie minicamp. “When I went to Kentucky, I always wanted to play nickel the whole time. I didn’t really get an opportunity until my junior year.

“Once I got the opportunity I kind of like — I embodied it. I felt like it’s who I was. That’s what I did best, so I went all in on it. It carried over here, so I’m out here playing nickel now.”

Art Stapleton of USA TODAY reports that Phillips’ rookie contract is for four years and worth $5.995 million.

With Phillips now under contract, the only remaining members of the rookie class without a deal are safety Tyler Nubin, tight end Theo Johnson, and linebacker Darius Muasau.

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Giants will give Cor’Dale Flott opportunity to win CB2 job

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is “confident” in Cor’Dale Flott, who will have the opportunity to win the CB2 job.

The New York Giants selected Kentucky defensive back Andru Phillips in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft to bolster their secondary, which is in flux after cutting ties with Adoree’ Jackson and Xavier McKinney.

Phillips is more suited for the slot and the nickel than he is out on the boundary, a situation head coach Brian Daboll touched upon during his Saturday media session at the team’s second day of rookie minicamp.

The Giants were in need of an outside corner and Phillips could help by forcing the team to play him in the slot and move Cor’Dale Flott to the boundary.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Flott,” Daboll told reporters.

He then explained how the ‘nickel’ corner has become almost a permanent role on many defenses rather than a sub-package one.

“The game is mostly 11 personnel. There’s some that people run some other, but heavy, heavy 11. I would say heavy sub on defense, almost three-quarters of the game for the most part is played that way,” he said. “It’s a hybrid position. You have to be able to do a good job in the run fits, you’ve got to be able to cover man-to-man, tackle well, be physical. It’s a very important position.”

Phillips is perfect for the nickel role while Flott, who is taller with more length, can make the shift outside with more ease. Phillips is also a more physical player who can help with tight ends and the run.

There are so many coaches that play multiple receivers that you need to be able to match that on the defensive side.

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Giants’ Andru Phillips prefers playing nickel corner

New York Giants rookie Andru Phillips is willing to play any position the team needs but admits he prefers playing nickel corner.

The New York Giants selected Kentucky defensive back Andru “Dru” Phillips in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft in an ongoing effort to beef up their secondary.

The Giants plan on deploying the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Phillips in several roles. They entered the draft in need of a physical outside corner. Phillips is certainly physical enough, but he may not fill the bill on the outside.

“Every defense is specifically unique,” Philips told reporters on the first day of the Giants’ rookie minicamp on Friday. “So, this one, some different techniques to what I do down at nickel. Just got to pick up on it. The faster I get it, the easier it’s coming. I’m just in the playbook trying to study and make sure I get everything right.”

But when push comes to shove, Phillips says he favors playing in packages.

“I can play both, but preferably the nickel position,” he said. “When I went to Kentucky, I always wanted to play nickel the whole time. I didn’t really get an opportunity until my junior year. Once I got the opportunity I kind of like — I embodied it. I felt like it’s who I was. That’s what I did best, so I went all in on it. It carried over here, so I’m out here playing nickel now.”

Phillips added that there is “so much going on at that nickel.”

“I like being in control a lot of times. You get to communicate more. You’re involved in the run game as well as the pass game. A lot of times on certain down distances you know that ball is coming to you. I’m trying just to make as many plays as possible,” he said.

The Giants could very well stick with Phillips in the slot and at nickel and move another one of their young defensive backs such as Cor’Dale Flott or Tre Hawkins III to the outside.

One thing is for sure: The Giants are getting a gamer — a physical player — in Phillips.

“I take a lot of pride in it. It’s probably one of the top things about who I am,” Phillips said of his physical style. “I know I’m (not) the 6’4” corner, but you’ve got to make up for it in some ways. I’ve always known that. It was one thing I never shied away from my whole life.

“I was that one kid, I was going — as a little kid I was just a daredevil. I just want to go do whatever… It just comes from who I am as a person. I don’t want to shy away from anything and that’s from anybody or any circumstance. It’s kind of just second nature.”

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PFF: Giants’ Andru Phillips best pick in third round of 2024 NFL draft

Pro Football Focus lists cornerback Andru Phillips as the best third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The New York Giants are widely regarded as having conducted a successful draft in late April.

General manager Joe Schoen made six picks and addressed multiple areas of need, most notably selecting a true No. 1 wide receiver with Malik Nabers in Round 1. But he’s drawn praise for several other picks as well.

Running back Tyrone Tracy has been the focus of much hype and tight end Theo Johnson has also warranted some attention.

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus recently broke down his best picks from each round and honed in on cornerback Andru Phillips in Round 3 as a steal.

PICK 70. NEW YORK GIANTS: CB ANDRU PHILLIPS, KENTUCKY

The Giants drafted Deonte Banks in the first round of last year’s draft and now add more youth to that group early in the third round this year. His career-best 23 defensive stops led all SEC cornerbacks in 2023, and his 72.9 PFF coverage grade was also the best mark of his career.

The issue facing Phillips and the Giants is the uncertainty of where he’ll play. Schoen left the door open for him to play outside but also suggested moving him inside and allowing Cor’Dale Flott to swing out alongside Deonte Banks.

The Giants need another outside cornerback capable of locking down opposing wide receivers and if Phillips can become that player, Schoen did find himself a steal in Round 3.

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2024 NFL draft: Giants’ class ranked fourth-most impactful

CBS Sports ranks the New York Giants’ class from the 2024 NFL draft as a the fourth-most impactful in the league.

The New York Giants’ 2024 draft class has already received praise on an individual level. Each player added was considered a solid decision, with Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy specifically receiving the most praise because of their expected impact.

But what about the whole of the Giants’ draft class? How impactful will they all be? CBS Sports ranked the impact of each team’s draft class, and the Giants landed with the fourth most impactful.

Impactful rookies: WR Malik Nabers, S Tyler Nubin, CB Andru Phillips, RB Tyrone Tracy, LB Darius Muasau

All five of these first-year pros will likely be leaned upon in 2024 and have the athleticism to thrive in their specific roles. Nabers was my WR1 in this class. After he learns the full route tree, look out. He’ll be able to do it all at receiver. Nubin’s average-at-best workout scares me a bit, but his film as a ball-hawking free safety can’t simply be ignored. Phillips has elite explosiveness traits at cornerback — and can play inside if needed. Tracy has free-wheeling cutting skills and, as a former receiver, will be part of what the Giants want to do out of the backfield in the pass game.

Muasau gave me Matt Milano vibes on film regarding his instincts and hair-on-fire style. There’s some upside as a coverage type too because of how fluidly he flips his hips.

It’s no secret that Nabers and Tracy will be utilized early and often, even with Tracy’s need for further development at running back. Devin Singleterry is going to need help and Tracy has already proven to have the football IQ to have an impact in Year 1.

The Giants’ 2024 draft class was pretty spot on with what the team needed to add. Hopefully, all of this potential we’re seeing, the anticipated impact of these players, and what they bring to the table, will translate into actual results on the field.

The three teams ranked above the Giants are the Washington Commanders (1), Arizona Cardinals (2), and Green Bay Packers (3).

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Cornerback Andru Phillips was named the best pick of round three by PFF

Former Kentucky football player Andru Phillips graded as the best round three pick by Pro Football Focus.

The first player selected in the 2024 NFL draft from Kentucky football was cornerback Andru Phillips. He was taken in the third round with the 70th overall pick by the New York Giants.

Phillips rose up draft boards through the off-season as he shined at every practice and workout he went through. He stood out at the Senior Bowl and in his Combine and Pro Day workouts.

Last year, for the Wildcats, Phillips recorded 47 tackles and five passes defended. While he didn’t have any interceptions, he proved he was willing, and able, to play man coverage and be physical at the line of scrimmage.

Pro Football Focus loved the pick by the Giants, rating it as the best pick of the third round. They had this to say about drafting Phillips:

The Giants drafted Deonte Banks in the first round of last year’s draft and now add more youth to that group early in the third round this year. His career-best 23 defensive stops led all SEC cornerbacks in 2023, and his 72.9 PFF coverage grade was also the best mark of his career.

It’s impossible to predict how players will perform once they’re in the NFL, but it certainly appears that Phillips landed in a good spot. Big Blue Nation will be rooting for his success going forward.

Andru Phillips bringing aggressiveness to Giants’: I want to get my nose dirty’

Cornerback Andru Phillips plans to bring an aggressive, physical mindset to the New York Giants: “I want to get my nose dirty.”

The New York Giants were in dire need of cornerback help entering the 2024 NFL draft and used their third-round selection on Kentucky’s Andru ‘Dru’ Phillips, who may not be the outside corner fans were hoping the team would bring in.

Phillips seems to fit more into the slot and in packages, but according to general manager Joe Schoen, he’s versatile.

“He can play both. He’s got the versatility to play inside, and outside. But we have options because (Cor’Dale) Flott can play inside, and outside as well. If he goes inside, Flott can go outside or vice-versa. The versatility is also attractive for all these guys with the new defense,” Schoen told reporters on Saturday.

Schoen was reminded that Phillips is also not known for creating turnovers, a fact he could not deny.

“Some of these guys that are 5-11, 200, run 4.4 would be playing receivers if they had really good ball skills unfortunately,” said Schoen. “But no, I mean, he’s sticky. He’s in terms of coverage, he’s around the football a lot. And watching him down in the senior Bowl on one-on-ones, he has a lot of traits and those are things we are going to work on. He’s in position, but he just has to finish a little bit better.

“But I really like the athlete, like the kid, look forward to him getting here. Told Wan’Dale (Robinson), he’s got to be ready for practice because Dru said he was going to be locking him up. That will be good competition there.

None of that talk will deter Phillips from coming into East Rutherford and proving that Schoen was right about him.

“I’m a competitive player. I want to win down there at that defensive position, whether that’s corner or slot, and I bring a fiery and versatility to the game and a different type of aggression I feel like every defense needs, but also at the same time, I bring that will to win. I want to come in here and help any way I can,” he said.

What exactly was it that the Giants liked about him after his stellar showing at the Senior Bowl?

“They like, one, is my willingness to tackle,” said Phillips. “I know it’s a thing, especially at those corners and now people want to tackle but I’m one of those guys, I want to get my nose dirty. Just my football IQ and just being savvy in it as well. You can be aggressive but then have some finesse to you, as well, and just go out there and win every rep.”

And the Giants do need to tackle better, that is for sure. Last season, teams got too many second chances due to missed tackles.

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Giants GM Joe Schoen ‘excited’ about young core on defense

After Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft, New York Giants GM Joe Schoen expressed excitement over the team’s young core on defense.

The New York Giants selected Kentucky defensive back Andru Phillips with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday night in Detroit.

The Giants were getting thin at the corner position after choosing not to re-sign Adoree’ Jackson (so far) and needed to bring in some new faces to position coach Jerome Henderson’s group.

Phillips came in for a top-30 visit with the Giants and apparently made enough of an impression on general manager Joe Schoen to take him on Day 2 of the draft.

“He’s sticky. In terms of coverage, he’s around the football a lot. And watching him down in the senior Bowl on one-on-ones, he has a lot of traits and those are things we are going to work on. He’s in position, but he just has to finish a little bit better. But I really like the athlete, like the kid, look forward to him getting here,” Schoen told reporters.

“He’s got the versatility to play inside, and outside. But we have options because (Cor’Dale) Flott can play inside, and outside as well. If he goes inside, Flott can go outside or vice-versa. The versatility is also attractive for all these guys with the new defense.”

Combined with the addition of Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, Phillips will join an exciting young defensive core Schoen has been building over the past three drafts.

“I’m excited about the young core that we have together and the guys that are under contract for multiple years and even guys that may only have a year left that potentially we can extend down the road. But I do think we have pieces in place that I like that are going to be together for a couple of years here,” Schoen said.

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is undoubtedly excited as well.

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Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips is drafted by the New York Giants

Cornerback Andru Phillips has been drafted by the New York Giants.

Cornerback Andru Phillips had a lot of buzz surrounding him as the off-season progressed. A great week at the Senior Bowl and a solid performace at the NFL Combine moved him up draft boards. On Friday night, he was drafted by the New York Giants with the 70th overall pick.

Phillips is 5’10” and 190 pounds, and started all 12 games in 2023. He recorded 47 tackles and five passes defended last season.

It was his performance after the season that stood out, though. He was one of the top competitors during Senior Bowl week, then showed out at the Combine in Indianapolis with a 42″ vertical leap and a 11’3″ broad jump.

Phillips can play both inside and out, but likely projects best as a nickel cornerback in the NFL. He’ll likely struggle with size, but he plays tough, and he closes quickly when tackling.

The former Wildcat is the first Kentucky football player off the board in this year’s NFL draft. Big Blue Nation will watch to see who’s next.