What can we expect from Giants' 2024 NFL Draft picks in Year Two?

Last season, we kept tabs on the Giants’ rookies, many of whom had a significant impact.

Let’s examine the outlook for each player heading into year two and assess whether they could continue to play an expanded role.

Wide Receiver Malik Nabers

Nabers had an outstanding rookie year as he was made the Pro Bowl and All-Rookie team after reeling in 109 receptions for over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s capable of even bigger numbers, though, so the expectation will be that he should be able to build on this as long as he remains healthy.

If there is one concern coming out of Nabers’ rookie season, it would be how obvious it was that he was frustrated with his usage and a lack of targets. While this is a sign of his competitiveness, Nabers’ body language was poor at times. The Giants’ coaches would be wise to make keeping Nabers involved as much as possible on offense a top priority.

Safety Tyler Nubin

Nubin stepped right into the starting lineup as a rookie and held his own as he racked up 98 tackles in 13 starts. However, he failed to record a sack or interception, so the Giants will be hoping he can make more impact plays this season.

In 2025, Nubin will start alongside Jevon Holland, who brings experience and veteran leadership to the table. Holland will provide an upgrade in coverage, perhaps freeing up Nubin to build on his solid contributions against the run during his rookie campaign.

Cornerback Dru Phillips

Phillips also stepped right into the rotation in the secondary in his rookie season, playing over 600 snaps and starting six times at the nickel back position. With seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, an interception and a sack to go along with 71 tackles, Phillips displayed some playmaking potential and looks set to reprise the same role in 2025.

One area Phillips will be looking to improve is his tackle efficiency. He was tied for third on the team in missed tackles in 2024 despite missing three games. 

Tight End Theo Johnson

Head coach Brian Daboll was obviously high on Johnson heading into the 2024 season, but he got off to a slow start with drops and penalties limiting his effectiveness. After four games, Johnson had just three catches.

As the season progressed, Johnson started to deliver on his potential, as he caught three or more passes in seven of the next eight games. However, he missed the last five games due to injury, so he ended up with just 29 receptions and one touchdown.

The Giants will expect him to build on that improved production in 2025, and he will also be expected to display more consistency as a blocker.

Running Back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tracy made an immediate impact as he started the first game of his career in Week 5 due to an injury to Devin Singletary and led New York to an upset win over Seattle with a 100-yard game. He followed that up with two more 100-yard games in the next five weeks.

Ultimately, Tracy ended the season with over 800 rushing yards and probably could have had a chance at a 1,000-yard season if he didn’t fumble five times, which impacted his playing time down the stretch. If Tracy can exercise better ball security in 2025, he could establish himself as the full-time starter and have a more productive season behind a deeper offensive line. 

To take his game to the next level, Tracy needs to contribute more in the passing game. He only surpassed 50 receiving yards in a game once last season.

Linebacker Darius Muasau

Muasau saw much of his rookie season disrupted by knee and hamstring injuries. However, he started six of the last seven games and ended the season with 55 tackles and an interception. Most of his playing time came after Bobby Okereke landed on injured reserve with a herniated disc, and the Giants weren’t very competitive at that stage of the year.

Although he was solid and productive against the run, Muasau needs to work on his consistency in coverage to improve his chances of getting on the field more often. However, he gained useful experience down the stretch.

Undrafted Rookie Recap

The Giants had a couple of good finds among their undrafted free agent signings as defensive tackle Elijah Chatman and guard Jake Kubas each made the roster and started three games during the regular season. 

Chatman had an impressive preseason last year and could compete for regular rotational reps if he repeats that in 2025. Kubas will be aiming to make the team as a backup again, but if Evan Neal’s conversion to guard is successful, that could make Kubas’ path to the final roster tougher.