Giants Now: Dane Brugler’s midseason All-Rookie Team

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler announces his midseason All-Rookie Team

With the 2024 NFL campaign just passed its midway point, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released his midseason All-Rookie team. Brugler named his top rookie at each position, along with a runner-up and some honorable mentions.

To no one’s surprise, several Giants were featured on the list, starting with Tyrone Tracy Jr., who was named as the first-team running back on Brugler’s All-Rookie team.

“At the season’s midway point, Tracy is leading all rookie running backs in rushing — which is impressive, considering he had just 12 carries in September,” wrote Brugler. “But once Devin Singletary went down with an injury, Tracy stepped into the Giants’ lead role. He now has 442 rushing yards (5.0 yards per carry) and a pair of touchdown runs. A former receiver in college, Tracy has also been productive as a pass catcher and has yet to fumble. What separates him among this class is the explosive plays — he leads all rookie backs in carries of 20- and 10-plus yards (four and 11, respectively).”

Since taking over as the starting running back in Week 5, Tracy has topped 100 total yards of offense in three of five games while averaging over 7.0 yards per carry in two.

The 24-year-old rookie has also forced 15 missed tackles over the last five weeks while averaging over 3.0 yards after contact per attempt.

As Brugler mentions, Tracy leads all rookies in rushing despite totaling just 29 yards on the ground through the first four games of the season.

Next up is Malik Nabers, who Brugler named as the runner-up at the wide receiver position, mostly due to the fact that he missed two games last month.

“Despite missing two games due to a concussion, Nabers is tied for second in the NFL with 84 targets (behind only Garrett Wilson),” Brugler wrote. “Among rookie wide receivers, he is first in catches (55) and first-down grabs (31) and second in receiving yards (557). As long as he stays on the field, Nabers will be at the forefront of any conversation about this year’s most valuable rookies.”

Nabers racked up two different outings with over 100 receiving yards in the first four weeks before missing two games with a concussion. In the three games since returning, the rookie wideout has been targeted 32 times but has totaled 171 receiving yards.

Even after being sidelined for two games, Nabers is still tied for third in the NFL in receptions.

Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. was named the first-team wide receiver.

The other Giant to be named as a runner-up by Brugler is safety Tyler Nubin.

“Halfway through the season, Nubin leads all defensive rookies in snaps played (553) and tackles (57),” said Brugler.

Nubin has been a consistent presence in the Giants’ secondary this season. Heading into Week 10, the rookie safety has been on the field for every defensive snap in eight of nine games and has missed just two snaps on the year.

His 57 total tackles ranks third on the team behind only linebackers Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden.

Green Bay’s Evan Williams was named the first-team safety.

In addition to the three rookies mentioned above, several other first-year Giants were named as Honorable Mentions at their respective positions – cornerback Dru Phillips, tight end Theo Johnson, linebacker Darius Muasau and defensive lineman Elijah Chatman. Phillips and Johnson were both listed first in their Honorable Mentions sections.