Just when you thought the New York Giants might’ve finally figured it out, they storm into 2025 determined to prove everyone wrong... in the worst possible way.
Not much went right in 2024, but the few things that did felt like the start of real, organizational change. The ’24 draft class — headlined by Malik Nabers, Dru Phillips, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Tyler Nubin — was supposed to be part of that foundation. However, it's becoming clear that not all of these second-year players are cut from the same cloth.
Nubin is having a rough go of it in Year 2. After an impressive rookie season cut short due to an ankle injury, the hope was that he'd build off his first year and continue to become an integral piece of the Giants' defense. Two games in, and he's been anything but. And if this team wants to finally climb out of the basement, they're going to need the 24-year-old to step up.
Tyler Nubin’s Year 2 slump is hurting the Giants defense
To put it simply, the Giants have a Nubin problem. There's just no other way to put it. Maybe it's just taking him a bit of time to get his legs back under him after finishing last season on IR, but whatever the case, this defense just needs more from him. Remember, the former Minnesota standout was runner-up in tackles for Big Blue with 97 as a rookie.
It's safe to say, his shine is wearing off fast in Year 2.
Pro Football Focus paints a really rough picture for the second-year safety: 53.4 overall grade, with a 35.4 run-defense grade (100th out of 109) and a 59.7 coverage grade (62nd out of 109). That's just not good enough. This is a guy that many viewed as a potential breakout player for the G-Men. So, what gives?
Maybe Nubin has fully succumbed to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen's system, which has proven to be borderline inept. Seriously, the G-Men's defense has some serious problems. The run defense has been nonexistent — they've allowed the most rushing yards in the league through the first two games, and their pass defense hasn't fared much better at fourth-worst.
Something's gotta give.
Maybe the defense was just as bad last year, but fans were willing to overlook it after losing Xavier McKinney to the Packers — they needed someone to believe in. Whatever the reason, Nubin's sophomore slump is holding this team back. Coming out of college, he was known for forcing turnovers and stopping the run... well, he's 0-for-2 in those departments, and it's a problem.
Much has been made of Bowen's defense. He's clearly not the answer. But at some point, the players do need to actually step up. A poor system can only be used as an excuse for so long before the players need to look internally. Week 3 presents Nubin with the perfect opportunity to turn things around against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
If he doesn't, expect another losing result in primetime on Sunday night at MetLife.