REPORT: He’s a die-hard runner with great toughness New York Giants have signed their third-round pick to a rookie contract….
One of the New York Giants’ main defensive problems entering into the offseason was their secondary, which surrendered the 14th most passing yards and lost two of their top defensive backs in free agency. Xavier McKinney has signed with the Packers, while Adoree’ Jackson remains unsigned.
The Giants addressed their secondary in the third round, selecting a cornerback.
The New York Giants drafted a cornerback in the 3rd round.
The Giants selected Dru Phillips in the third round, 70th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Dru Phillips signed his rookie contract.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, Phillips signed a four-year rookie contract worth $5.995 million, including a $1.203 million signing bonus.
He has spent the past four seasons in Kentucky.
Dru Phillips spent four collegiate seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Phillips has committed to the Wildcats as a three-star recruit for the 2020 season. He would have a successful career with the team, appearing in 38 games and starting 16. He recorded 82 tackles, three TFLs, and ten pass deflections.
Phillips appeared in 12 games and started 12 in 2023, recording 47 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, five pass deflections, a 71.1 PFF grade, and allowing 38 receptions on 57 targets for 434 yards, three touchdowns, and a 106.9 passer rating. He played 223 snaps in the slot and 426 in the corner. He had a 72.9 coverage grade, a 56.1 man coverage grade, and a 74.6 zone coverage grade, according to PFF.
Lance Zierlein did a scouting report on Dru Phillips.
Lance Zierlein of the NFL Network conducted a scouting report on Phillips.
“Phillips’ tape has a large number of both completions and drops that should have been completions, but this might alter with a new strategy and more experience. He’s still inexperienced, with only two years of real-game experience, and he frequently played too loose in Kentucky’s zone coverage schemes.
“Phillips lacks the anticipation to contest catches at a high rate from the zone, but he has the quickness to play more man coverage and the tools to stay sticky on routes.
“He’s a die-hard runner with great toughness, but he needs to complete tackles faster. Scheme fit is important, as is demonstrating his ability to play from the slot, but his greatest football may be ahead of him.”
Dru Phillips prefers to play in the slot.
“I can play both, but preferably the nickel position,” Phillips told reporters. “There’s a lot going on with that nickel. I enjoy being in control most of the time. You get to communicate more. You are involved in both the running and passing games. On certain down distances, you can usually tell when the ball is headed your way. I am just trying to make as many plays as possible.”