PFF’s Top-15 rookie rankings highlight bright future for Giants

No matter how deep you search, finding positives in the New York Giants' disastrous 2024 season is a tough task. Brian Daboll's squad has hit the lowest of the lows amid its eight-game losing streak, and the G-Men could very well be on their way to the franchise's lowest win total in 50 years.

The finger-pointing has reached several individuals within the organization, particularly GM Joe Schoen. People didn't like how he handled Saquon Barkley's contract negotiations on HBO's Hard Knocks, and he's trotted out another inept roster on the field this year.

While Schoen deserves the backlash, there is a silver lining — he put together quite the draft class this past April. Pro Football Focus released its list of the league's 15 highest-rated rookies, and two Giants rank among the best with four weeks to go.

Pair of NY Giants secure spots on PFF rookie rankings

Dru Phillips and Malik Nabers have been standout players throughout the campaign, so it should come as no surprise that they ranked No. 5 and 6 on PFF's rookie rankings, respectively. Phillips' grade sits at 81.9 heading into Week 15, while Nabers' number is slightly below at 81.6.

Phillips was selected with the No. 70 overall pick and has been a pleasant surprise for NY. The slot corner makes his presence felt in the pass and run game, making him a versatile weapon for Shane Bowen's defensive unit. Not only is Phillips the highest-rated cornerback, but he trails only Jared Verse as the best rookie defender.

Meanwhile, Nabers has stood out as a bright spot in the midst of a historically struggling Giants offense in 2024. The team's first-round pick has been impressive despite erratic quarterback play, hauling in 80 receptions for 819 yards and three touchdowns. Despite having missed two contests already, the LSU product is on track to surpass 1,000 yards.

Other late-round rookies like Theo Johnson and Tyrone Tracy Jr. have also emerged as important offensive options down the stretch. Tracy quickly stole the RB1 job from Devin Singletary in his first year. Second-round pick Tyler Nubin didn't quite fill the void that Xavier McKinney left when he departed for Green Bay, but he still had an overall successful season before being placed on IR.

The rookie tandem has made watching this abysmal season somewhat more manageable. Hopefully, the young core can bud into something special once the front office washes the filth off the roster.

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