CB Dru Phillips, Giants’ 3rd-round draft pick, signs rookie contract

Phillips has the ability to play inside and outside but might be best suited for the former.

“I remember when I was growing up people thought nickel was almost a bad thing, kind of just throwing a guy in there,” Phillips said last weekend at rookie minicamp. “Especially with how the game is going now … there is so much passing in the league and also in college. When I went to Kentucky, I always wanted to play nickel the whole time. I didn’t really get an opportunity until my junior year. Once I got the opportunity. I embodied it. I felt like it’s who I was. That’s what I did best, so I went all in on it. It carried over here, so I’m out here playing nickel now.”

Phillips added, “[There’s] so much going on at that nickel. I like being in control a lot of times. You get to communicate more. You’re involved in the run game as well as the pass game. A lot of times on certain down distances you know that ball is coming to you. I’m trying just to make as many plays as possible.”

Of course, it also takes a willingness to tackle.

“I know I’m [not] the 6-4 corner, but you’ve got to make up for it in some ways,” Phillips said. “I’ve always known that. It was one thing I never shied away from my whole life. I was that one kid, I was just a dare devil. I just want to go do whatever.”