Tag: tyler nubin

Do Giants have one of NFL’s worst defenses headed into 2024 season?

Matt Holder of Bleacher Report believes the New York Giants have the NFL’s second-worst defensive unit entering the 2024 season.

The New York Giants parted ways with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale early in the offseason, replacing him with Shane Bowen.

Under Bowen, the Giants will move away from their heavy blitz style and will rely more on their ability to create an organic pass rush and zone coverage.

That will put a lot of pressure on a young secondary, who are now without cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (free agent) and safety Xavier McKinney (Green Bay Packers).

It’s for those reasons that Matt Holder of Bleacher Report believes the Giants have the second-worst defense in the NFL entering the 2024 season.

Personnel-wise, the Giants have a strong defensive line after trading for Brian Burns to go along with Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux. However, the team’s secondary has more questions than answers.

Last year’s first-round pick, Deonte Banks, struggled as a rookie by allowing a 57.6 completion percentage when targeted and posting a 48.6 coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus. However, Banks projects as New York’s top cornerback heading into 2024.

Third-year pro Cor’Dale Flott projects to be the other starting outside corner, while rookie third-rounder Dru Phillips is expected to man the nickelback position. Also, the Giants lost safety Xavier McKinney in free agency, and another rookie, Tyler Nubin, will likely take McKinney’s place in the lineup.

That makes for a very young defensive backfield in the Big Apple, so some struggles should be expected this fall.

Holder’s concerns are justified. Even given the upside of Deonte Banks, Andru Phillips and Tyler Nubin, all three players are a long way off from reaching their ceiling. The same can be said for Cor’Dale Flott, who was a third-round pick in 2022.

Aaron Robinson is also expected to return, but it’s anyone’s guess what he’ll bring to the table. And the signing of Tre Herndon, while solid, certainly doesn’t push the group over the top.

The Giants’ secondary could be a weakness but if the front seven is able to disrupt things, at least it will take some of the pressure off.

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Giants sign safety Tyler Nubin to rookie contract

The New York Giants have signed safety Tyler Nubin, their second round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, to his rookie contract.

The New York Giants signed the final member of their 2024 NFL draft class on Friday, inking second-round safety Tyler Nubin to his rookie contract.

The 22-year-old Nubin finished his Minnesota career with a school record 13 interceptions to go along with 207 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 11 passes defensed.

At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Nubin has good size that’s matched with good strength. He’s a versatile safety who can play in the box and stop the run or drop back into centerfield, which is likely where defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will use him.

During rookie minicamp, Nubin vowed that the Giants are getting a “dog.”

“You’re getting a dog,” he said. “You are getting somebody that’s not going to stop until — honestly just never going to stop really. I love the game too much. I feel like whatever I have to do to be successful on the field, I’m going to do and sacrifice for this team, this city, and I’m going to love doing it.”

General manager Joe Schoen, meanwhile, believes that Nubin fits the mold as a culture guy who will eventually provide much-needed locker room leadership.

“Just a good football player. Culture changer at the University of Minnesota and he’s going to bring that type of mentality here,” Schoen said after the draft. “Just a really special kid that’s a good football player.”

Nubin joins wide receiver Malik Nabers, tight end Theo Johnson, running back Tyrone Tracy, cornerback Andru Phillips, and linebacker Darius Muasau as rookies who are now all under contract.

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Can playing Spider-Man video game help Giants’ Tyler Nubin navigate New York?

Giants safety Tyler Nubin has never been to New York City before but he has played Spider-Man, which he believes will help him navigate.

The New York Giants opened their annual rookie minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday. It was the first chance for the media to see the team’s 2024 draft class in their new environment.

The first-time interviews are usually awkward and little is ever revealed as the youngsters are in awe of their new surroundings and are still finding their way around.

Second-round pick Tyler Nubin, a highly touted safety out of Minnesota, had to pinch himself. He was finally in the NFL and had landed with one of the league’s flagship franchises.

“Yeah, 100 percent,” Nubin told reporters when asked if yesterday was a big day for him. “Almost shed a tear when I saw my helmet and my locker. It’s just awesome. Just being able to be out here, play the game I love, again, especially for this great, storied organization, I couldn’t thank this organization enough.”

By admission, Nubin is not very familiar with the city of New York, which he vows to explore. He was asked about what sights he was looking forward to seeing.

“Honestly, everything,” he said. “I’ve never really explored the city like that before. Played Spider-Man (the video game) for all my life, so I kind of know where some stuff is at swinging through the city. But seeing it in real life is going to be cooler for sure.”

Nubin’s New York experience is about to go from fantasy to reality very quickly in the next few months. The Giants are relying on him to fill the hole left by the departure of Xavier McKinney in free agency.

McKinney played every defensive snap in 2023. Nubin is ready for the challenge.

“You’re getting a dog, man. You are getting somebody that’s not going to stop until — honestly just never going to stop, really. I love the game too much. I feel like whatever I have to do to be successful on the field I’m going to do and sacrifice for this team, this city, and I’m going to love doing it,” he said.

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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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Tyler Nubin promises no more yachts after learning Giants’ ugly history

After posing for a picture on a yacht during the NFL draft, Tyler Nubin learned of the Giants’ ugly history and promised never again.

The New York Giants came into the 2024 NFL draft seeking a new leader for their secondary and believe they may have found it in Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin, who they selected in the second round.

General manager Joe Schoen called Nubin “a guy with high character, leadership, smart, tough, dependable, and then the 13 career interceptions.”

“Just a good football player,” Schoen added after selecting Nubin 47th overall. “Culture changer at the University of Minnesota and he’s going to bring that type of mentality here, and I think that will come out tomorrow when you guys meet with him and spend some time with him. Just a really special kid that’s a good football player.”

Nubin is prepared to take over as a leader in the Giants’ secondary, a unit that needs one after losing Xavier McKinney in free agency this past offseason.

He wanted to make it clear he was ready for the role by clarifying a few things that arose during the draft, such as a photo of him posing on a yacht with some colleagues, which appeared to be modeled after the Giants’ receivers’ infamous ’bout trip’ photo in 2017.

After learning of the team’s history, Nubin wanted Giants fans to know this isn’t who he really is and understand the superstitious concern. He won’t be making the same mistake twice.

Nubin is also aware of the controversy caused by his predecessor, McKinney, who was shelved for half a season with a hand injury sustained in an off-field ATV accident.

All good, for now.

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Giants rookie Tyler Nubin explains why he chose jersey No. 31

New York Giants rookie safety Tyler Nubin, who wore No. 27 in college, explains why he chose jersey No. 31.

For the second straight year, the New York Giants spent a second-round pick on a player from the University of Minnesota. After taking center John Michael Schmitz last year, this time the Giants took safety Tyler Nubin.

After Xavier McKinney departed in free agency to sign with the Green Bay Packers, Nubin comes in and immediately fills a void for the Giants.

Nubin wasted no time locking up his jersey number with the Giants. After wearing No. 27 in college, he will now wear No. 31 to pay homage to some other former University of Minnesota safeties who continued on to the NFL.

“I saw 31 was available and my dogs, Antoine Winfield and Jordan Howden, both wore 31 their rookie years in the league. Carrying tradition for gopher safeties wearing 31 in the league, I guess.” Nubin told reporters

Running back Matt Breida wore No. 31 last season.

Traditionally, No. 31 has been a popular one for Giants defensive backs, including Michael Thomas, Aaron Ross, Will Hill, and Jason Sehorn.

The Giants hope to continue the success they’ve had drafting safeties in the second round recently between Landon Collins (2015) and Xavier McKinney (2020).

Nubin will have big shoes to fill coming in to replace McKinney but general manager Joe Schoen seems confident he’ll fit right in.

Nubin’s reputation as an interchangeable safety seems to be the reason Schoen believes he will fit into the Giants’ defensive scheme.

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See it: Tyler Nubin’s raw, emotional reaction to being drafted by Giants

The reaction from safety Tyler Nubin when learning the New York Giants would draft him is raw and emotional — a true must-watch.

When a player has dedicated their entire life to the pursuit of professional football, hearing their name called on draft day elicits an emotional reaction.

That’s true whether or not they expect to be drafted.

For some, the reaction is elation and excitement. For others, more raw emotions come pouring out.

On Friday night during Round 2 of the 2024 NFL draft, Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin had his moment when the New York Giants came calling.

When informed that East Rutherford would be his new home, Nubin could not contain himself. What transpired was one of the most real and raw reactions the NFL world has ever seen on draft day.

“I doing great, man,” Nubin told general manager Joe Schoen with his voice beginning to crack. “I’m ready, man. Come get me.”

“Oh my God. Oh my God. Bro, thank you so much,” he continued.

As the reality began to set in, Nubin became even more emotional. And when he was handed over to head coach Brian Daboll, the tears began to flow. His appreciation of the moment — and for the Giants — quickly followed.

“You’re gonna get it all,” Nubin said. “Y’all just made the best decision of this whole draft.”

Even when the phone was hung up, the gravity of the moment overwhelmed Nubin. And when his name was officially called at the podium, everything came flooding out.

“Oh, man, I’ve been crying the last 35 minutes,” Nubin told reporters during his Zoom call. “No, for real.”

What made Nubin so emotional? His answer, much like the man himself, was selfless.

“Honestly, not even thinking about the work that I put in,” Nubin said. “The work everybody around me put in, my parents have been working so hard for me all my life, being able to set me up in a good situation. You know, teach me the right things. All of my family and friends around me, on top of the work that I put in, there’s just so many people and so many sacrifices that were made over a long period of time leading up to this moment, it just all came out. Honestly, that’s what it was.”

That is the marking of a true team player and it’s easy to see why the Giants targeted Nubin the person; Nubin the leader.

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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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Giants plan to rely on Tyler Nubin’s elite leadership, football smarts

New York Giants GM Joe Schoen views safety Tyler Nubin as an “elite” leader with an impressive football IQ and unique awareness.

The New York Giants lost star safety Xavier McKinney in free agency to the Green Bay Packers last month which meant general manager Joe Schoen had a huge hole to fill in their secondary.

Schoen addressed that by signing Jalen Mills in free agency this offseason and selecting Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin with the 47th overall pick in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday night.

They wanted to not only fill McKinney’s role on the defense but also wanted to continue to re-mold the team’s culture.

“Just a good football player. Culture changer at the University of Minnesota and he’s going to bring that type of mentality here,” Schoen told reporters. “Just a really special kid that’s a good football player.”

Nubin was a four-time All-Big Ten Academic selection and played in 55 games for the Gophers.

“I would say that he takes the ball away. 13 career interceptions. He’s a ball hawk. To me, the leadership, the character, the smarts, safety, the ability to communicate out there. To get guys to line up I think is very important, and this kid is elite at those types of things,” Schoen said.

The one knock against Nubin was his poor RAS score but Schoen attributed that to playing six games last season on a torn meniscus and recovering from reparative surgery during the 2024 NFL Combine.

“These guys are all playing through nics and dings and whatever it may be. So it’s a testament to the kid’s character and toughness to play through that stuff because it’s going to happen here. It wasn’t a light injury. He was in some pain. So just the fact that he wanted to be out there his last year at Minnesota and not let his teammates down, I think that’s a testament to who the kid is,” Schoen said.

Nubin will join a safety group that consists of Jason Pinnock, Jalen Mills, Dane Belton, and Gervarrius Owens.

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Giants NFL Draft grade: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

Giants NFL Draft grade for selecting Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin in the second round

The New York Giants add to what is already a top tier defense by helping out on the deep end of the field with the selection of Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin with the 47th overall selection.

Nubin projects to be locked in a camp battle with veteran safety Jalen Mills for the safety spot opposite Jason Pinnock. Nubin should help out a lacking secondary and provide some extra time for an absolutely loaded defensive line.

With excellent size, length, aggressiveness, and instincts, Nubin should be productive as an in-box safety should he see the field early on. Expect Nubin to snag a couple of balls early in his career as an aggressive ball hawk.

Grade: B