The Giants on Friday picked Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, 47th overall.
This was the Giants’ lone second-round pick. It came from Seattle in last season’s Leonard Williams trade. The Giants traded their own second rounder, No. 39, to Carolina this offseason for edge rusher Brian Burns.
Here are scouting reports on Nubin, who is 6-foot-1 and 199 pounds and figures to replace Xavier McKinney (who left for the Packers in free agency):
• NFL.com: “Talented safety prospect with the size, length and instincts that teams are looking for to shore up the back end. Nubin has the ability to play as an interchangeable safety but will make his money as a ball thief. He’s rangy over the top in two-high safety looks and plays chess in the middle of the field, using instincts to think along with the quarterback and pounce on throws from an angle. He’s average in man coverage and might lack ideal top-end speed, but his anticipation and discipline help make up for that. He’s capable in run support, but his pursuit angles get him beat outside. Nubin’s traits, instincts and ball skills give him an opportunity to become a successful long-term starter.”
• The Athletic: “Overall, Nubin has conservative tendencies in coverage, but he is a four-down player with a coveted skillset, because of his split-field range, playmaking instincts and toughness versus the run. He is ideally suited for a quarters-based, Cover-2 scheme in the NFL and will be a core special teamer.”
• Pro Football Focus: “Nubin possesses the athleticism, football IQ and run-defense potential to be a versatile and impactful safety in any scheme, though he would likely make the most plays in a system that consistently uses two-deep coverages, allowing him to play free, robber and box safety roles.”
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Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com.