At 2-8, there aren't a lot of positives to take out of the New York Giants' miserable 2024 season. The offense has been bad, the coaching decisions that have been the deciding factors of many games this season have been questionable, and just overall embarrassing performances out of this Big Blue squad that's looking like they'll miss the postseason for the seventh time in nine years.
While I'm sure most Giants fans just want to see this season come to an end as soon as possible and hope for better fortunes in 2025, there have been some bright spots this year. These three players in particular have been pleasant surprises this year which should have fans optimistic for the future.
3 pleasant suprises at the bye for the NY Giants
3. CB Dru Phillips
This is looking like a very good draft selection for the Giants. New York selected cornerback Dru Phillips with their third-round pick in this past year's draft and has panned out well this year. Despite the defensive struggles in the secondary for Big Blue, Phillips may be an exception.
The 22-year-old despite having two rough games in a row against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders, Phillips bounced back in a huge way this past Sunday against the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany. Phillips allowed six yards on five targets during his 22 snaps and forced a fumble in the fourth quarter which was the Giants' lone turnover of the game. He was so solid against the Panthers that he was named Pro Football Focus's Rookie of the Week.
Phillips has been consistent on defense for the Giants. He ranks sixth in the team with tackles at 43, fourth in tackles for losses with six, and is tied for first on the team with fumbles lost with linebacker Micah McFadden. In what has been a lost season for Big Blue, Phillips has been a very pleasant surprise.
2. LB Azeez Ojulari
The Giants were very high on linebacker Azeez Ojulari when they drafted him in the second round of the 2021 draft and he was looking very promising. His rookie year saw Ojulari record 8 sacks which set an all-time Giants record for sacks by a rookie. His production however over the last few seasons as multiple stints on the injured reserve list resulted in Ojulari being a possible trade piece for the Giants. That has all changed however in 2024.
The linebacker has thrived this season for the GMEN as he has taken advantage of star linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux being on IR with a wrist injury. Ojulari has recorded six sacks exceeding his total from last year when he had just 2.5 and is on pace for setting a career-high in sacks in a season. Even though the Giants anticipated this out of the 23-year-old when they drafted him, you can't help but be very happy with how Ojulari has thrived this season.
1. RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
This should come as no surprise as rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has had an incredible start to his NFL career. After signing veteran running back Devin Singletary this offseason on a three-year deal to be the number-one running back, Tracy has taken that number-one spot and has not looked back.
Tracy, who New York selected with their fifth-round pick in this past year's draft, has the most rushing yards in the NFL by a rookie so far with 545. He's averaged over five yards a carry with three touchdowns and after posting a 103-yard game this past Sunday, the 24-year-old already has three 100-yard games.
Even though Tracy fumbled on New York's first play in overtime in their crushing loss against the Panthers, he is still a special running back. Despite losing Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, you can't help but be more than surprised by Tracy's fast start in the NFL.