PFF: Giants could have one of the league’s most productive rookie classes

Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema has already heaped praise upon the New York Giants for their work in 2024. And on Thursday he named the Giants’ rookie class as one he believes will be among the NFL’s most productive.

Sikkema doesn’t really break any new ground in the piece. He doesn’t grade or evaluate the classes as a whole, nor does he try to forecast just how productive the rookies will be. Instead, he says, he’s trying to project which classes will get the most production from their rookies.

The Giants will be relying heavily on their rookie class this year, with Nabers and Nubin expected to be Day 1 starters at wide receiver and safety (respectively). The Giants could also be looking at Phillips as a starter at slot corner. Tight end Theo Johnson and running back Tyrone Tracy could also be in line for significant playing time, depending on how the rest of the offseason plays out.

Johnson could — or will — be the Giants No. 2 tight end behind Daniel Bellinger if Darren Waller retires. Tracy, meanwhile, could be their RB2 if he beats out Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell, Jashaun Corbin, Deon Jackson, or Dante Miller. The Giants have a lot of depth at running back, but no players who truly stand out at this point in the off-season.

PFF notes about wide receiver Malik Nabers:

The Giants were linked to several of the quarterbacks in the draft process. Instead of packaging picks to move up or sticking at No. 6 to bring in J.J. McCarthy, they bring an explosive receiver into a receiving corps in need of talent. Nabers recorded 44 receptions of 20-plus yards over his last two seasons, second-most among FBS wide receivers.

And about safety Tyler Nubin:

PFF’s top-ranked safety prospect, Nubin is versatile and impactful. He can be moved all over the secondary and handle the role, as he possesses a high-level football IQ and can stop the run with instincts to cover on the back end. Nubin sported a career-best 90.1 coverage grade in 2023 (first among Power Five safeties) and allowed a 33.0 passer rating in coverage from 2021 to 2023.

This comes a day after he named Dru Phillips as his favorite pick of the second round, and told Ed that he thinks the Giants went about the offseason correctly.

He named the Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders as the teams he believes will have the most productive rookie classes.