New York Giants Malik Nabers, Dru Phillips among PFF’s best rookies

The New York Giants have very little to boast about these days. They’re coming off a three-win season where they lost every divisional matchup and earned one victory at home, and that Week 17 victory consequently cost them the number one overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Nevertheless, the Giants will power forward with Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll. One of John Mara’s incentives to retain the maligned general manager was the Giants’ 2024 NFL Draft class. Schoen selected two 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage players on offense and several other potential building blocks.

It’s early, but the most recent draft seems MUCH more impactful than Schoen’s previous two draft classes, which we discussed on the draft’s end-of-season report card.

Pro Football Focus agreed as both wide receiver Malik Nabers and cornerback Dru Phillips ranked as two of the best rookies in the class. Nabers was also named part of the PFF All-Rookie Team. Nabers was the first wide receiver listed, and here’s PFF’s description of their three wide receiver selections (Brian Thomas, JAX; Ladd McKonkey, LAC was also selected):

Of the big three receivers drafted, Nabers, despite some inconsistent quarterback play, made the biggest impression. He had the highest grade of all rookie receivers with a top-10 finish. While he was a clear No. 1, it was a battle between three for the remaining two spots, and Marvin Harrison Jr. was the man to miss out. Still, all the signs point to this being a historic draft class.

Nabers finished the season with 109 catches on 170 targets for 1,204 yards with seven touchdowns. He broke the Giants’ single-season reception mark (Steve Smith) and would have broken Puka Nacua’s single-season reception mark, but fellow rookie Brock Bowers, a tight end, set that record hours after Nabers in Week 18.

PFF understood Nabers’ impact and listed him as their third overall graded rookie performer, just behind Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving and Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels. Here’s their grade and description on Nabers:

PFF Grade: 86.7

Nabers delivered an impressive rookie season for the Giants, averaging 2.17 yards per route run and earning an 87.1 PFF receiving grade. Targeted 165 times, he hauled in 109 receptions for 1,204 yards.

PFF’s next highest-graded wide receiver was Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr., with an 82.0.

Dru Phillips was the 13th-highest-graded rookie and the second-highest-graded defensive back behind Philadelphia’s Cooper DeJean. Here’s PFF’s description of Phillips:

PFF Grade: 77.5

Phillips was strong close to the line of scrimmage in his first season, earning a 78.1 run-defense grade for the Giants. He was solid in coverage, too, earning a 75.8 coverage grade and allowing just 373 yards from 335 snaps in coverage.

Phillips finished the season with 71 total tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception, a sack, one pass defensed, and 31 STOPs in 14 games. His ability to fit the run from the nickel spot allows defensive coordinators to go lighter against heavier personnel, which can be invaluable if other roster areas are more complete.