The New York Giants appear to have big plans for second-round pick Tyler Nubin.
General manager Joe Schoen called Nubin a “culture changer” at the college level in Minnesota and spoke of him as if he clearly believes Nubin will be part of the team’s defensive core for the next few seasons.
Assistant general manager Brandon Brown said this spring that Nubin can be the “alpha of the alphas.”
Let’s take a look at how quickly Nubin can ascend to a starting, and perhaps leadership, role as we continue with player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.
The thin one
Height: 6 feet 2
Weight: 210
Age: 23
Position: Security
Experience: Rookie
Contract: Four years, $8,176,718 | 2024 deadline hit: $1,486,676 | Guaranteed upon signing: $5,935,968
Career to date
Nubin played 55 games over five seasons for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and finished his college career with a school-record 13 interceptions.
Here’s a scouting report from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler:
“Nubin, a four-year starter at Minnesota, was a switchable safety (single high and split zone) in defensive coordinator Joe Rossi’s mixed coverage scheme. A cornerback turned safety, he led the Gophers in interceptions in each of the last four seasons and recorded his 13th career interception in his final home game, setting a new school record. Using his athleticism and awareness, Nubin keeps everything in front of him and can push away numbers in the deep half to overlap the seam or track and finish from the post. As a street defender, he is fearless but controlled, and balances with low pads to finish tackles with authority. Overall, Nubin has conservative tendencies in coverage, but is a four-down player with a coveted skill set, due to his split-field range, playmaking instincts and toughness against the run. He is ideal for a quarter-based Cover-2 scheme in the NFL and will be a core special teams player.”
Nubin was the first safety selected in the Draft, 47th overall.
“Getting Nubin is that value, a guy with great character, leadership, smart, tough, reliable and then the 13 career interceptions. Just a good football player,” Schoen said the night he drafted Nubin. “He changed the culture at the University of Minnesota and he’s going to bring that type of mentality here… He’s a really special kid who’s a good football player.
“He’s a ball hawk. For me, leadership, character, intelligence, security, the ability to communicate. I think it’s very important to get guys lined up, and this kid is elite at that type of thing.”
outlook for 2024
Nubin worked primarily with the backups during spring practices, but it won’t be a surprise to see that change during training camp. In fact, it might be a surprise if it doesn’t happen.
The Giants have shown no concern about Nubin’s low relative athletic rating (RAS), pointing to his play and testing through injury.
“If you think back to his test numbers, maybe some people said they wished he would have run faster,” assistant general manager Brandon Brown said. “When he came in here for his physical, I gave him a big hug and I was like, you know what? I feel like I got my favorite food at a discount because the tape speaks for itself.”
Jason Pinnock is expected to be one of the Giants’ two starting safeties. Beyond Nubin, the options at the other spot are Dane Belton and veteran free agent Jalen Mills.
Sooner rather than later, the spot next to Pinnock will probably belong to Nubin.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.