One of the New York Giants’ biggest weaknesses on defense, heading into the offseason, was their secondary since they allowed the 14th-most passing yards, and two of their top defensive backs departed in free agency. Xavier McKinney signed with the Packers, and Adoree’ Jackson remains unsigned.
The Giants addressed their secondary in the 3rd round by drafting a cornerback.
The New York Giants drafted a cornerback in the 3rd round
![REPORT: The New York Giants Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 1 New York Giants, Joe Schoen](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_22635546_168400545_lowres-scaled.jpg)
The Giants drafted Dru Phillips in the 3rd round, 70th overall of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He signed his rookie contract.
Dru Phillips signed his rookie contract
![REPORT: The New York Giants Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 2 New York Giants, Andru Phillips](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_21654862-scaled.jpg)
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, Phillips signed a 4-year rookie contract worth $5.995 million with a $1.203 million signing bonus.
He spent the last four seasons in Kentucky.
Dru Phillips spent four collegiate seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats
![REPORT: The New York Giants Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 3 Kentucky Wildcats, Andru Phillips](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NCAA-Football-Florida-at-Kentucky-21537335-e1716156501876.webp)
Phillips committed to the Wildcats as a three-star recruit for the 2020 season. He would have a solid career with the team, playing in 38 games and starting 16. He had 82 tackles, three TFLs, and ten pass deflections.
Phillips played 12 games and started 12 in 2023, with 47 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, five pass deflections, a 71.1 PFF Grade, and allowed 38 receptions on 57 targets for 434 yards, three touchdowns, and a 106.9 passer rating. He played 223 snaps in the slot and 426 on the corner. He posted a 72.9 coverage grade, a 56.1 man coverage grade, and a 74.6 zone coverage grade per PFF.
Lance Zierlein did a scouting report on Dru Phillips
![REPORT: The New York Giants Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 4 Kentucky Wildcats, Andru Phillips](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/70812642007-u-kvs-eku-50-scaled-e1716156671302.webp)
Lance Zierlein of NFL Network did a scouting report on Phillips.
“Phillips’ tape features a high number of both completions and drops that should have been completions, but that could change in a different scheme and with additional experience. He’s still green, with just two years of real game experience, and often played too loose in Kentucky’s zone cover schemes.
“Phillips lacks the anticipation to contest catches at a high enough rate from zone but does have the athleticism to play more man coverage, with the tools to stay sticky on routes.
“He’s an ardent run supporter with excellent toughness but needs to finish tackles at a higher rate. Scheme fit might be critical, along with proving he can play from the slot, but his best football could be ahead of him.”
Dru Phillips prefers to play in the slot
![REPORT: The New York Giants Signed Their 3rd-Round Pick to a Rookie Contract 5 Kentucky Wildcats, Andru Phillips](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Andru-Phillips.png)
“I can play both, but preferably the nickel position,” Phillips told reporters. “There’s so much going on at that nickel. I like being in control a lot of times. You get to communicate more. You’re involved in the run game as well as the pass game. A lot of times, on certain down distances, you know that ball is coming to you. I’m trying just to make as many plays as possible.”
Will Phillips play in the slot next season, or will he line up on the outside?
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