New York Giants training camp is now officially less than a month away, and while the team and their families enjoy the early summer break, fans are still clamoring for new content regarding their favorite team.
That’s what we do. We bring you football every day, and today we begin our run-up to training camp with three defensive players that you should not sleep on this summer.
Defensive lineman Darius Alexander
The third-round pick (65th overall) in the 2025 NFL draft has gotten lost in the post-Dexter Lawrence scrum of incoming free agents and rookies, but he is listed as one of the team’s three starters on the defensive front with veterans D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris.
The fact is, Alexander is a top talent who compiled 20 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and a defensed pass in 16 games (two starts) last season. He was seen as an ascending player. The new coaching staff, however, could see him in a different light. He will have to stand out to retain his starting status, but he is still seen as a building block by the front office.
Safety Tyler Nubin
Nubin, a second-round selection in 2024 (47th overall), could be a breakout star on the Giants’ defense this season, but he has to stay healthy. He’s missed four games in each of his first two seasons, but he’s amassed 176 total tackles in those 26 games.
Nubin has ideal size at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds and plays a physical style that fits the scheme of new coordinator Dennard Wilson. The Giants brought back Jason Pinnock to press Nubin in camp and as insurance in case Nubin gets hurt again. It will be interesting to see him get turned loose in the box this summer to take advantage of his strengths.
Defensive back Dru Phillips
The Giants’ third-round pick in 2024 (70th overall) was shuffled around last season in coordinator Shane Bowen’s defense. He made 66 tackles (49 solo) and had 12 passes defensed, including two interceptions, along with a fumble recovery in 17 games played. He had 71 tackles in just 14 games as a rookie in 2024.
Phillips will likely be used properly in Wilson’s scheme, playing slot and nickel corner to take advantage of his skill set. He will have to contend with free agent Ar’Darius Washington and rookie Colton Hood for snaps in what promises to be a very competitive training camp.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 3 defensive players New York Giants fans shouldn’t sleep on
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By John Fennelly, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
