Giants Now: Bucky Brooks’ rookies who ‘popped’ in preseason

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