Bucky Brooks' rookies who 'popped' in preseason
A lot has been made about the Giants' rookie class, as several members of the group are pushing for big roles in their first NFL season.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks recently broke down 10 rookies from across the NFL "who showed serious flashes" during the preseason. The list featured Giants safety Tyler Nubin.
"Nubin is a ballhawk with superb instincts, awareness and range playing behind a front line that will make quarterbacks uneasy within the pocket," wrote Brooks. "As a potential rookie starter with a game that perfectly fits the way the Giants want to play under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Nubin is a star-in-waiting in New York."
Nubin played in 55 games for Minnesota and set a program-record with his 13 interceptions, including 12 across the last three years. He also registered over 50 total tackles in each of the last three seasons.
Pro Football Focus awarded Nubin a 90.1 coverage grade in 2023, which was the highest mark among all Power Five safeties. He also held opposing quarterbacks to a 39.6 passer rating last season.
The 6-foot-1, 199-pound safety was named Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten for his 2023 performance. His five interceptions were tied for the sixth-most in the FBS.
A calf injury sidelined Nubin for the start of training camp, but the young safety worked hard to make up for lost time. The second-round pick has put his high football intelligence and toughness in the spotlight since his first day on the practice field, which has left the coaching staff impressed.
"He continues to get better," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said a few weeks ago. "He continues to improve each day. I think the one thing with him is he's finally out there. He's healthy. We missed him those first two weeks. And he's had ground to make up to get back in that competition. He's been good. He's taking advantage of the opportunities. Doesn't make the same mistake twice. I've been encouraged by where he's at right now."
Nubin was on the field for 18 total plays against the Lions in the preseason opener. It was a solid showing for his first outing in the NFL, but there was one play in particular that stood out.
With the Lions facing a third-and-two, Nubin blew up offensive lineman Michael Niese, planting the 295-pound lineman into the ground as Dyontae Johnson flew in to tackle the runner short of the line to gain. This was just one example of the physicality Nubin intends to bring to the Giants defense this season, as the rookie safety is pushing towards significant playing time in his first year.
"He's really competitive, really confident," added passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson earlier in camp. "You just watch the [college] tape — and even here — his intensity, his energy and his focus just jumps off the tape at you."
Here are all 10 rookies features on Brooks' list:
- QB Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
- RB Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
- RB Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
- WR Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
- OT Kingsley Suamataia, Kansas City Chiefs
- G Cooper Beebe, Dallas Cowboys
- DE Austin Booker, Chicago Bears
- S Tyler Nubin, New York Giants
- K Cam Little, Jacksonville Jaguars
- P Tory Taylor, Chicago Bears
View photos of the Giants' 2024 rookie class in action during training camp and preseason.
WR Malik Nabers
S Tyler Nubin
CB Dru Phillips
TE Theo Johnson
RB Tyrone Tracy
ILB Darius Muasau
DL Elijah Chatman
G Jake Kubas
WR Malik Nabers (9) following Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
TE Theo Johnson (47)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31),New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
TE Theo Johnson
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
CB Dru Phillips (22), WR Dennis Houston (88)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
DT Elijah Chatman (94)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
New York Jets QB Aaron Rogers (8), DT Elijah Chatman (94)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants guard Jermaine Eluemunor (72), New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22)
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22), New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
DT Elijah Chatman (94) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
RB Tyrone Tracy (29) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DT Elijah Chatman (94) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DT Elijah Chatman (94) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Malik Nabers (9) makes a touchdown catch against CB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Darius Muasau (53) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Dru Phillips (22) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
DT Elijah Chatman (94) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
CB Dru Phillips (22) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
G Jake Kubas (63) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31),New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53),
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47)
WR Malik Nabers (9) during a Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
G Jake Kubas (63) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Dru Phillips (22) during Training Camp practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
S Tyler Nubin (31), ILB Darius Muasau (53)
G Jake Kubas (63)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
CB Deonte Banks (3), S Tyler Nubin (31)
New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94)
S Tyler Nubin (31), RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
New York Giants guard Jake Kubas (63)
WR Malik Nabers (9) during Training Camp practice with the Detroit Lions at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
View photos from practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center as the Giants embark on their 100th season.
WR Malik Nabers (1)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Adoree' Jackson (21)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (88)
CB Adoree' Jackson (21)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (88)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
RB Tyrone Tracy (29)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
CB Art Green (35)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (88)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
DB Art Green (35)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Malik Nabers (1)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
QB Drew Lock (2)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Theo Johnson (84)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
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