The New York Giants chosen Kentucky defensive again Andru “Dru” Phillips within the third spherical of the 2024 NFL draft in an ongoing effort to beef up their secondary.
The Giants plan on deploying the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Phillips in a number of roles. They entered the draft in want of a bodily exterior nook. Phillips is actually bodily sufficient, however he might not fill the invoice on the skin.
“Each protection is particularly distinctive,” Philips informed reporters on the primary day of the Giants’ rookie minicamp on Friday. “So, this one, some totally different strategies to what I do down at nickel. Simply bought to choose up on it. The sooner I get it, the simpler it’s coming. I’m simply within the playbook attempting to review and ensure I get every little thing proper.”
However when push involves shove, Phillips says he favors taking part in in packages.
“I can play each, however ideally the nickel place,” he mentioned. “After I went to Kentucky, I at all times wished to play nickel the entire time. I didn’t actually get a chance till my junior yr. As soon as I bought the chance I type of like — I embodied it. I felt prefer it’s who I used to be. That’s what I did finest, so I went all in on it. It carried over right here, so I’m out right here taking part in nickel now.”
Phillips added that there’s “a lot occurring at that nickel.”
“I like being in management quite a lot of occasions. You get to speak extra. You’re concerned within the run recreation in addition to the cross recreation. Numerous occasions on sure down distances you recognize that ball is coming to you. I’m attempting simply to make as many performs as doable,” he mentioned.
The Giants might very effectively stick to Phillips within the slot and at nickel and transfer one other considered one of their younger defensive backs reminiscent of Cor’Dale Flott or Tre Hawkins III to the skin.
One factor is for positive: The Giants are getting a gamer — a bodily participant — in Phillips.
“I take quite a lot of delight in it. It’s in all probability one of many high issues about who I’m,” Phillips mentioned of his bodily fashion. “I do know I’m (not) the 6’4” nook, however you’ve bought to make up for it in some methods. I’ve at all times recognized that. It was one factor I by no means shied away from my entire life.
“I used to be that one child, I used to be going — as slightly child I used to be only a daredevil. I simply wish to go do no matter… It simply comes from who I’m as an individual. I don’t wish to draw back from something and that’s from anyone or any circumstance. It’s type of simply second nature.”
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