Giants Fans Seem to Be Forgetting About One Key Player

The New York Giants' secondary has been a hot topic of discussion this offseason, as it should be: it isn't very good. Or at least, that's how it appears.

The Giants just benched $54 million cornerback Paulson Adebo in favor of Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome II, both of whom are largely viewed as first-round busts. Or, at least in the case of Newsome, an inconsistent disappointment.

Jevon Holland could be in for a bounce-back year at safety, but does anyone really trust Tyler Nubin alongside of him?

Then, there's the player everyone seems to be ignoring: nickelback Dru Phillips.

Phillips has flown under the radar the entire summer, and perhaps that's a good thing for the third-year defender who struggled mightily last season.

Remember: Phillips was actually very effective during his rookie campaign in 2024. He was surprisingly good, in fact. Then, the cart went off the rails in 2025.

It wasn't just Phillips' disastrous performance against the Denver Broncos last fall, either. His entire season was uneven, and when the Giants signed Ar'Darius Washington in free agency, it seemed as if Phillips' job could be on the line.

Phillips did ultimately maintain his starting job heading into Week 1, but for how long will he actually keep it?

There is no question Phillips must be significantly better than he was last season. Not just for himself, but for the team as a whole. New York needs someone in the defensive backfield to have an unexpectedly solid year. Perhaps Phillips is the guy for that.

For all of the talk about Adebo, Banks and Newsome, not to mention rookie Colton Hood, no one has really mentioned Phillips. Maybe it's because he's a nickel. Maybe it's because the general expectation is that he is what he is.

But we cannot underestimate his importance.

Two years ago, Phillips registered a 77.0 coverage grade at Pro Football Focus. That ranked 10th among all cornerbacks. His overall grade was 78.4, which ranked No. 7. And while PFF certainly isn't a be-all-end-all, the eye test definitely tracked with that rating. He was good.

If the 24-year-old can regain his 2024 form this fall, it would be enormous for a Giants secondary that has more questions than answers at the moment.

Obviously, Phillips won't draw the toughest assignments playing in the slot. At least not most of the time. But his presence is still important.

We'll see if the former third-round pick can begin a rebound when New York hosts the Dallas Cowboys in is season opener Sunday night.