Former Wildcat and current New York Giants Rookie, Dru Phillips is having an impressive start to his young NFL career. He is a force to be reckoned with from his cornerback position. He is making plays in pass defense, he is making plays in the backfield, he is forcing fumbles, and he is getting to the quarterback. He is making a legit case through two weeks of play to be a defensive rookie of the year candidate.
Week 1 was impressive for a rookie, as he made an instant impact in a game. His stats aren't overwhelming at 4 tackles and 1 forced fumble. However, that one forced fumble was a game changer. He also did a great job of limiting receptions in coverage and keeping the play in front of him for shorter gains.
Dru Phillips forces a fumble recovered by Bobby Okereke for the first takeaway of the #Giants season pic.twitter.com/Z62jTNmzlE
— GiantStats (@nygiantstats) September 8, 2024
That week alone made him a solid rookie edition, shutting down his receivers and making impact plays like the fumble. Then week two rolled along and he went from being an impact CB to being a one-man wrecking ball. He was lightning in a bottle and all over the field. His stat line for week two is absolutely impressive at 12 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 tackles for loss. 12 tackles for any position is impressive, 12 tackles as a cornerback is almost unheard of. He was all over the place.
Check out some of these highlights from his impressive day:
At least Dru Phillips looks like a third-round steal. It's the second week in a row where the rookie looks incredible in run support and performed well in coverage. pic.twitter.com/l6avylOKKR
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) September 16, 2024
We need to mention that when Nick Falato says "at least", he is remarking on the Giants typical inability to get playmakers in the draft. He's noting how impressive it is that they were able to find Phillips in the third round. Here is Falato again, remarking on Phillips:
Rookie Dru Phillips with an elite play in run support. He's had two very good performances to start his career. pic.twitter.com/vT5ApyP7dE
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) September 15, 2024
In the above clips we have seen Phillips stopping the QB from running and coming out of his coverage to stop the sweep, completely blowing through a block that was set for him. This is elite level NFL play from Phillips in his rookie campaign.
Dru Phillips is a VERY good football player. pic.twitter.com/BClgq5XpLQ
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) September 15, 2024
We are only two weeks into the NFL season but Phillips has impressed in a mighty way. While we see these elite plays above, we need to remember as a CB it's also about the plays that weren't made because of the coverage. Yet, according to Jordan Raanan even that has been elite.
One positive from the first two weeks: Rookie CB Dru Phillips.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 16, 2024
The slot CB had 12 tackles (2 for loss) + sack on Sunday. His physicality has been impressive. Also allowed just 26 yards as the nearest defender in coverage on five receptions through 2 weeks, per NextGen Stats.
Continue to keep an eye on our guy, Dru Phillips, in his impressive rookie year. Can he make a case for defensive rookie of the year? So far, he has.