Big Blue Huddle

This is one of the better one-on-one sports interviews I have heard.  You get a real sense of Tracy, the person.

https://x.com/Doug_Analytics/status/1785005287708979604

The ones that interest me from this list

OL Dalton Risner
DL Calais Campbell
CB Stephon Gilmore
CB Adoree' Jackson

https://giantswire.usatoday.com/lists/13-free-agents-new-york-giants-could-sign-following-2024-nfl-draft/?taid=662f9d8dce74510001c1459c&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Paul Schwartz tends to publish whatever the Giants wish to be published.  So this commentary in his latest article is likely what the Giants wanted Jones to hear (just indirectly) in my opinion.


It does no one any good to sugarcoat any of this. Jones needs to accept what the Giants tried to do on draft night, use it to fuel his comeback. Show some defiance. Outwardly, Jones does not show much of anything. Inwardly, he must do everything in his power to send a message to the Giants that trying to replace him was foolhardy. The deck might be stacked against him but that does not mean he has no shot.

https://x.com/NYPost_Schwartz/status/1784926790361702467

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1784906596839051381


https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1784896262384263518

Here is how the offensive roster looks this year vs last year

2024



2023






Objectively, I think that there has been a significant talent upgrade, even if Waller retires, over last season.


By Position:

1)  Quarterback-  a bit less than last season as DJ's injuries may reduce his running ability somewhat.  Lock may be a bit of a downgrade over Taylor, but Lock seems a bit sturdier and is less likely to be injured.

2)  Running Back-  I think this is a wash.  They replaced the lead back model with shadow of his former self, Barkley, being replaced with the three-headed monster of Singletary, Gray, Tracy who are nice complements to each other and should be as productive if not more so than Barkley

3) Wide Receiver-  This is a huge upgrade.  Robinson is a year removed from his ACL, Hyatt has a year under his belt, and the addition of blue-chip prospect Nabers makes this an impressive WR unit compared to last year's unit of Slayton, rookie Hyatt/Campbell, Robinson/Shepard.  There is an improvement of both speed and talent here.

4) Tight End-  Waller never returned to his peak form last season owing to multiple hamstring injuries that started right before the season (plus, he was never a good blocker).  Bellinger seemed to regress somewhat, and Cager didn't bring that much to the field.  Now (assuming Waller retires you have Bellinger and Theo Johnson headlining as two two-way tight ends (my preference) and a more solid depth (at least in terms of blockers) in Manhertz and Stoll, and Cager coming back for another season.

5) O-line-  Last year's line was an utter disaster in so many ways (it improved a bit when Pugh was added midseason).  This year's unit brings plenty of proven NFL veteran linemen.  They may not be elite or good, but they are also not tomato cans (the Daniel Jeremiah term).  Add in a better O-line coach and this could prove to be a serviceable unit rather than the dumpster fire of 2023.

10 minutes of viewing pleasure


https://www.giants.com/video/every-pick-every-highlight-best-of-24-draft-class

From his spread sheet he posted (with has grades and scores)

Malik Nabers

Explosive, explosive, explosive. Can go from slow-playing at the start of his route to top gear in a flash and has the ability to sustain that speed down the field. So effortless off the line, serious acceleration. Bouncy athlete when needing to elevate. Plus wiggle off the line and can get on top of CBs quickly to stack them on vertical routes. Flashed some hand work too. Physicality can get the best of him in press but not a weak player. Works well fighting back to the football/finding it down the field and in the red zone. Natural mover with the ball in his hands. RB vision, plus quickness, and his supercharged burst all indicate him being a YAC weapon in the NFL. Doesn't appear to be elite burner but speed doesn't appear to be an issue whatsoever. My-ball menality in traffic but isn't a huge specimen. Far from small stature-wise though. Route running is good but could improve as he gets more experience running the full route tree. Didn't run a litany of routes in college. Has the athletic chops to be a star in that area eventually. In most classes, he'd be the clear WR1. Game is tailor-made for today's NFL.

Tyler Nubin

Large, lengthy, ballhawking FS prospect. Plenty of experience. Has seen every route concept imaginable, and made a play on many of them. Insane production comes from plus instincts, above-average quickness, and serious range + catch radius as the ball is arriving. Occasional flash against the run, but best deploy as a deep patrol man. Like a sizable net in the back end of a defense. Backpedal can be high, which slows him down a bit when needing to plant and drive. Fast but not a burner and not the most reliable tackler. Stops a lot of throws in his target area because of his positioning and how rapidly he can close a window. Not exceptionally versatile but rocks in his free safety role in coverage.

Andru Phillips

Silky smooth inside-outside CB with plus zone drops and awareness. Mirroring is quite good too when placed in man coverage. Mostly a fluid, calculated mover on the field -- not sudden/frantic -- but when he wants to click and close, it's special. Serious juice in his lower half. Smaller size (but good in the slot) and doesn't have premier length. Doesn't always play the ball naturally when its in his area but didn't see many targets in college. Teams stayed away. Will miss a lot of tackles but is one of the most willing and aggressive run-support CBs in the class. Played a lot at nickel and was rarely afraid to crash inside or throw his body around in hopes of making a shoestring tackle. And there are some impressive wins on the outside on WR screens or outside runs on his film. Speed is good, not amazing but the burst is elite. Capable relatively high floor CB prospect, although the tacklling and ball skills are a bit concerning.

Theo Johnson

Large, thick, highly athletic TE prospect. Good movement skills off the of scrimmage and his measured athleticism almost fully shows up on film. But more of an explosive specimen than a bendy one with plus short-area quickness. Speed in routes is there, and despite his huge frame, he has the springiness to eventually be a quality separator for the position at the next level. Despite his stature, he's oddly not a great blocker, especially for the run but holds his own as an extra blocker in passing situations. Not a make-you-miss type but speed and power through contact are there, and there's plus vision when he gets the ball underneath or on screens. Some easy drops on film but plays to his size in traffic. Will box out and catch away from his body. A bit of an older prospect. May have his best football in front of him because he was far from a focal point of the offense in college.

Tyrone Tracy

Former WR turned RB with incredible burst/bounce to leave defenders whiffing at air. While more of a straight-line burst RB, he has loose hips, so when he jukes it covers plenty of ground. For a player relatively new to the position, his vision between the tackles on zone plays is respectable. Not a ridiculous burner but plenty fast for the position. Exudes elusiveness as a smooth glider in space. Deploys tight spin when faced with defender in the hole and glides off. Shows ability to change speeds to allow blocks to materialize. Impressive contact balance and NFL-caliber frame. At times could hit the hole with a bit more authority. Much older prospect but minimal mileage on his legs. Of course as a former WR he has steady hands but wasn't a big part of the pass game in his final stop in college. While his rawness as a runner pops up occasionally, the upside is through the roof.


Darius Muasau

Shorter, limited length LB who wins with instincts and impressive quicks in the box. Quicker than he is fast. By a long shot. Very useful flipping hips in zone coverage just can't sustain speed to run with TEs in man and will be outphysicaled by most of them because of his size/length deficiency. One of the smartest football IQ LBs in the class. Reacts to PA quickly and will get to his depth in coverage assertively without any hestiation. Minimal hesitation to his game which does lead to missed tackles in space. While block-shedding won't be his speciality in the NFL, he does an admirable job either jolting blockers or avoidin them in the box, especially relative to his smaller stature. Relentless style makes him a decent asset as a blitzer. Ball skills are average at best. But very aware of his surroundings in coverage. Some athletic/size limitations to his game but this is a heady, reasonably twitchy second-level defender with a three-down game.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O5yo3uN3pCnOPvM9zE4FSONwbIg6i68uJrdD7pb0CXo/edit#gid=324773575

The NFL is all about the matchups and the substitution packages.  The Giants added two players in this draft, which will make it tough for opposing defenses to have the right players on the field.

The first is TE Theo Johnson.  Combine him with TB Bellinger, and opposing DCs will dread seeing the Giants lined up in 12 (two TE) formations.   Opposing defenses will have to decide to go heavy to prevent the Giants from running them over with their two solid-blocking TEs and risk being in a tough spot to defend passes if the Giants put one or both TE out as receivers.   OR  The opposing defense goes lighter to handle the passing threat, which makes it easier for the Giants to power rush with the two extra solid blockers.


The second is RB Tyrone Tracy.  Tracy was a pretty good WR.  When Tracy is in the backfield teams will never know when Tracy could go in motion and split out wide in his old role as a WR, or if the Giants will simply play it straight up with a rush.  Again, it makes it very difficult for DCs to know how to play the GIants when Tracy is in the backfield.

Andru Phillips is a quiet talent in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Kentucky Cornerback is not a common name on mock drafts and likely won't hear his name called until Day 2 or Day 3 but when I saw him move at the combine I knew I needed to investigate the tape. The CB has impressive movement skills instincts and technical savvy. I think this kid has good odds of being a pro for a long time. In this video we watch up with Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers and grade his performance against the Georgia Bulldogs offense! #nfl #nfldraft #nfldraft

Jordan Raanan
@JordanRaanan
GM Joe Schoen reinforces after the draft that he said following the season that Daniel Jones was going to be the starter at QB for the Giants this season.

Schoen: "That's where we are. That's what we're going to move forward with this season. Daniel is still under contract  for three more years.

"As it sits today, that's where we are."
4:50 PM · Apr 27, 2024
·
56.3K
 Views

https://x.com/SNYGiants/status/1784324527742177766

I am not asking for your favorite or most impactful (although you can factor that into your vote).  The question is which pick had the most value?

Rate the draft. Bonus points for posting why you rated the draft as you did.

Guest may vote

https://x.com/rydunleavy/status/1784318517816267041

Ryan Dunleavy
@rydunleavy
·
22s
#Giants draft is over. 3 surprises.

1. No QB (I think that's the right call after RD1)
2. Joe Schoen didn't move around the board at all. That's a big departure from the last 2 years.
3. No OL/DL. Another big departure.

NFl.com

By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 6
Overview
Linebacker with muscular build and an unrelenting desire to chase after the football. Muasau plays with a phenomenal motor and has the instincts and recognition to get the jump on blocking schemes. He plays with good initial quickness but lacks extended pursuit speed in space. He will take shots downhill to spoil the action, but teams will have to live with missed tackles and inconsistent leverage in his pursuit. Muasau can handle some basic short-zone coverage but could get in trouble if the coverage expands into larger spaces. He has the potential to make the back end of a roster as a late-round pick or priority free-agent addition.

Strengths
Tremendously durable and productive as a tackler.
Coaches will love his instincts and play recognition.
Instantly flows to play direction, racing running backs to the lane.
Stout and powerful when challenging lead blocks in the hole.
Sticks his nose into the trash inside and roots out running backs.
Triggers quickly to smother leak-out backs after the catch.
Weaknesses
Has a hard time getting rid of climbing linemen in run game.
Overly eager and will run himself beyond cutback lanes.
Allows too many runners to escape from his clutches.
Below-average range as reactive tackler laterally.
Doesn't gain quick depth on spot drops and lacks man-cover speed.


Brugler


16. DARIUS MUASAU | UCLA 5117 | 225 lbs. | 5SR Ewa Beach, Hawaii (Mililani) 2/10/2001 (age 23.21) #53
BACKGROUND: Darius Muasau (MOO-uh-sao), the second oldest of six boys, was born in San Diego but grew up on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, just outside of
Honolulu. Both of his parents grew up in Hawaii. Along with his brothers, Muasau started playing football at the youth level , and he starred as a running back and
linebacker for the Halawa Knights (often coached by his father). He attended Mililani High School, where he was part of the same graduating class as quarterback
Dillon Gabriel (UCF and Oklahoma). Muasau moved up to varsity as a sophomore and played both ways as a linebacker and running back. After earning honorable
mention All-State honors as a junior, he earned first team All-State and 2018 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, finishing with 87 tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss
and two interceptions. Muasau helped Mililani to a 10-3 record and runner-up finish for the 2018 Division title.
A two-star recruit, Muasau was the No. 149 inside linebacker in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 27 recruit in Hawaii (Gabriel was No. 9). He received his first
Division I scholarship offer from his home state Hawaii in May 2018. FCS Portland State also offered him, but Hawaii was his only FBS offer, and he committed in July
2018 before his senior season. Muasau was pressed into action immediately as a freshman and played three years at Hawaii. Aft er the 2021 season (and the
controversial tenure of former head coach Todd Graham), Muasau entered the transfer portal and committed to UCLA a few days later. He led the Bruins in tackles in
2022 and elected to return for his fifth season as a super senior in 2023. His younger brother (Sergio) is the starting left guard and a rising senior at Hawaii. Muasau
accepted his invitation to the 2024 Hula Bowl and then also played at the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT NOTES
2019: (15/4) 61 3.0 0.0 0 0 0 Hawaii; Special Teams MVP
2020: (9/9) 104 9.5 4.5 0 2 1 Hawaii; First Team All-MWC; Led team in tackles, TFL and sacks; pandemic-shortened season
2021: (13/12) 109 14.0 7.0 5 5 1 Hawaii; First Team All-MWC; Led team in FFs, tackles, TFL and sacks; Team captain
2022: (13/13) 91 3.0 1.0 1 4 2 UCLA; Second Team All-Pac-12; Led team in tackles; Enrolled in January 2022
2023: (13/13) 75 10.5 4.0 0 6 1 UCLA; Second Team All-Pac-12; Led team in tackles; Def. Bowl MVP
Total: (63/51) 440 40.0 16.5 6 17 5
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 5117 225 9 1/2 31 1/2 74 3/4 4.70 2.72 1.61 36 1/2 9'9" - - - (no shuttle, 3-cone, bench press — choice)
PRO DAY 6001 228 9 7/8 30 7/8 76 3/8 4.71 2.65 1.63 - - 4.41 7.23 - (no bench press — choice)
STRENGTHS: Physical, alert run defender ... good eyes to key, read and fill, arriving quickly to work around blockers ... scrapes well laterally with enough range to play
sideline-to-sideline ... has a good feel for where ball carriers are going to be, not where they are ... improved tackling discipline on his 2023 tape ... squares the ball
carrier with balance and accurate striking skills, creating stopping power at contact ... nice job slipping through gaps and cl osing as a blitzer ... understands depth on
his zone drops, making adjustments based on route combinations (15 passes defended the last three seasons) ... durable and didn't miss a game over the last five
seasons (63 games played) ... has the experience (573 snaps) and skill set to make plays on special-teams coverages (named special-teams MVP as a freshman) ... led
his team in tackles in each of the last four seasons (two at Hawaii, two at UCLA).
WEAKNESSES: Has some straight-line tendencies and false steps lead to trouble ... shifty runners can shake him in the hole ... reads the field well but needs t o
improve his ability to decipher the eye candy before it's too late ... has the hand strength to fit up blockers, but he lacks ideal arm length and his shed mechanics are
inconsistent ... can be trapped and cut off by tight end blocks ... needs to tighten up his angles out in space ... doesn't have ex plosive acceleration to close the gap
when chasing ... his man coverage skills aren't ready for NFL athletes.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at UCLA, Muasau played Mike linebacker in former defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn's 4-2-5 base scheme. After three productive
seasons at Hawaii, he led the Bruins in tackles in both of his seasons in Westwood and has an impressive collegiate resume — he played in every game the last five
years and compiled 440 tackles and 40.0 tackles for loss. A quick-reacting defender, Muasau has the vision that gives him a head start on the play, which expands his
lateral range and helps him make stops near the line of scrimmage. He is aware in short-zone coverage, although he lacks the movement skills to stay connected to
backs or tight ends in man coverage. Overall, Muasau might not be elite in any one area, but he is a well-rounded linebacker with the play recognition and tackling
skills that will translate to any level. Similar in ways to Sione Takitaki, he projects as an NFL backup who can hold his own when he sees the field.
GRADE: 6th Round

PFF


Muasau loves to be physical and does not shy away from
doing the dirty work of playing linebacker. His lower size
profile makes him quick and explosive, but that lack of
weight really shows up when taking on and shedding blocks.
He can also be late to recognize where the ball is going.
PROFILE
• Embraces and welcomes the physical requirements of the
 position.
• Comfortable and confident in clutter and chaos.
• Takes pride in doing the dirty work to contain the run and set the
 edge.
• Will bulldoze running backs in pass protection.
• Can be late to recognize where ball carriers are going.
• Can get overpowered by most offensive linemen due to lower
 weight (even with momentum).
• Plays a style that requires more weight.

Discuss

https://x.com/Connor_J_Hughes/status/1784316196730335442

How do Nabers, Hyatt, and Robinson compare to the best trios in the league?

Cosell

TYRONE TRACY'S 2024 NFL COMBINE RESULTS
Height: 5'11 ⅛"
Weight: 209 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
10-yard split: 1.53 seconds
Vertical jump: 40"
Broad jump: 10'4"
20-yard shuttle: 4.06 seconds


TYRONE TRACY 2024 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS
Good-sized back with natural quickness and loose hips who shows excellent short-area burst and elusiveness.
Shows excellent patience and vision in gap-scheme run game tempo-ing his path to read offensive line pull and defenses.
Explosive short-area burst through the first level of defense with balance and body control to re-accelerate.
Can stop and start and re-accelerate both inside and on the edge. Doesn't slow down or lose stride on his cuts.
Effective in both zone and gap scheme run games showing one-cut downhill burst, patience and tempo.
Accelerating burst and speed to get to the edge and outflank the defense. Can outrun inside-out pursuit.
Outstanding shiftiness and elusiveness in confined space to make defenders miss and create extra yardage.
High-level one-cut downhill ability with sudden change of direction. Works through small creases at first level.
Makes defenders miss in different ways with multiple moves: lateral quickness, spins, physicality and speed.
Brings pass-receiving dimension out of the backfield with the ability to run intermediate and vertical routes.
Shows willingness and tenacity to step up and pass protect vs. blitzing second- and third-level defenders.


WEAKNESSES
Still learning the running back position given his college background as a receiver. Lacks needed experience.
At times, will look for the bigger play when he needs to attack the line of scrimmage and get the hard yards. Is that lack of experience?
Will need more work in the zone-run game where he has to read blocks, gap fluidity and defensive flow.
Doesn't possess home-run speed — won't run away from the defense when he gets past the third level.

NFL TRANSITION
Tracy was a full-time running back for only one season after spending his first five college seasons primarily as a wide receiver, the position at which he was initially recruited to play at Iowa.

While still learning the running back position, he'd likely make the transition to the next level in much the same way that Alvin Kamara and Jahmyr Gibbs are deployed by their respective teams. While Tracy isn't at the level of either back (Kamara in his prime, Gibbs right now going into his second season with the Detroit Lions), he would profile in an offense as a complementary primary back and multidimensional receiving weapon who can line up in multiple locations within the formation and could be especially effective as a detached receiver given his background.

Given the kind of running back that Tracy is and how he will best make the transition to the next level — assuming he will be deployed that way, which I believe is the most effective means for him to play in the league — there aren't a lot of weaknesses in his game. I could see him fitting well into an NFL offense that features the back in the passing game, especially with formation versatility.

Tracy will only get better as a runner with more experience, but he showed strong traits with his natural quickness and burst and his elusiveness making defenders miss in multiple ways. Perhaps most impressively, he showed more than functional physicality and competitive toughness to finish runs. Overall, Tracy is one of my favorite backs to watch, and I believe he is an ascending talent. I'm looking forward to seeing who drafts him and how he's deployed.

OTHER NOTES
Tracy was initially recruited by Iowa as a receiver and played his first four years there before transferring to Purdue for his final two seasons. In 2019 with the Hawkeyes, he had a 36-589-16.4-3 TD stat line; He made the full-time position switch to running back in 2023 and carried the ball 113 times after having only 33 rushes in his first five college seasons.

He was featured at times on jet sweeps in the Purdue offense, and there's no question Tracy can be deployed in multiple ways in the context of an NFL offense — both in terms of alignment, location and concepts. His 20-yard touchdown vs. Northwestern was a strong snapshot of him as a runner: gap scheme with lateral quickness and contact balance with a darting, slashing feel at the second and third levels of the defense. His 28-yard run vs. Indiana was another strong snapshot: inside lead play with Tracy again showing lateral agility to slide from gap to gap and the contact balance to work through tacklers at the second level.

McGinn


12. TYRONE TRACY, Purdue (5-11, 209, 4.48, 4-5): Started 16 of his 38 games as a wide receiver at Iowa from 2018-'21. Had 36 receptions in 2019. Team captain in '21. Transferred to Purdue in 2022 and was a backup wideout before moving to running back last year and flourishing. "Love him," one scout said. "Change of pace guy. Did really well in his first year really playing running back." Posted 113 of his career total of 146 rushes in 2023 when he led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.4). Finished with 947 (6.5) and 10 TDs to go with 113 receptions. "Kind of new to the position so he's feeling it out," a second scout said. "His vision keeps him alive. Like a No. 3 running back who contributes on special teams. Not a powerful back but he's grown into that body and stays on his feet and fights for extra yardage. Has enough speed to get outside. Struggled in pass pro." His 3-cone time of 6.81 led the position. From Indianapolis.

NFL.com

By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 4
NFL Comparison
Bilal Powell
Overview
Tracy was a full-time running back for only one year but had exciting flashes all over his tape. He's a bendy, rhythmic runner who sees and traverses the interior run lanes like he built the maze. He creates additional yardage with a blend of elusiveness, power and a willful desire to maximize each run, but he will need to curb his eagerness to bounce runs wide when it's time to finish and move to the next snap. While he's still honing his skills as a runner, his ability to handle gadget runs and threaten linebackers out of the backfield could get him on the field early on. Tracy will be an older rookie, but his versatility and burgeoning talent as a complementary runner should open evaluators' eyes to what he could become as a pro.

Strengths
Versatility with starting background at receiver and running back.
Loose hips and wide base allow sharp cuts and change of direction.
Glides with consistent pace and processing to find his pathways.
Long strides help him get to the corner on outside runs ahead of pursuit.
Spin moves, jump cuts and contact balance create a high number of yards after contact.
Capable kick returner and cover man on special teams.

Weaknesses
Still learning to run with discipline to the play design.
Needs to balance hero-ball efforts with more focus on moving the run downhill.
Excessive forward lean can lead to some imbalance as a one-cut runner.


Brugler


11. TYRONE TRACY JR. | Purdue 5111 | 209 lbs. | 6SR Indianapolis, Ind. (Decatur Central) 11/23/1999 (age 24.42) #3
BACKGROUND: Tyrone "Tee" Tracy Jr., the second of four boys, was born and raised in the Indianapolis area. His father (Tyrone Sr.) starred at Ben Davis High School
in Indianapolis before a prolific career at Division II Fort Hays State (1986-89), in which he set school records for all-purpose yards in a season and career (he was
inducted into Fort Hays State's Hall of Fame in 2011). Tyrone Tracy Jr. started playing flag football at age 3 and pee-wee tackle football at age 6. He was a multi-sport
athlete throughout childhood, but he shined brightest in basketball and football. Tracy attended Decatur Central High School and saw varsity action as a freshman,
accounting for 960 all-purpose yards as a running back and returner. He became the starting running back as a sophomore and rushed for 1,239 yards and 11
touchdowns, adding 27 receptions for 680 receiving yards.
As a junior, Tracy made more of an impact catching the football (40 receptions for 651 yards and nine touchdowns; 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns). As a
senior captain, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana, as well as first team All-County and All-State for the third straight season. Tracy finished his final
season with 1,412 rushing yards, 1,132 receiving yards and 30 total touchdowns (17 receiving, 13 rushing), and he led Decatur Central to a 10-2 mark and undefeated
record in the conference. He set school records for career receiving yards (2,643), receiving touchdowns (33) and total touchdowns (72). Tracy was also a three-year
starting point guard on the Decatur Central basketball team and lettered in track (sprints, relays and jumps). He set personal bests of 6.94 seconds in the 60 meters,
11.31 seconds in the 100, 23.00 seconds in the 200 and 19 feet, 6.5 inches in the long jump.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS 32
A three-star recruit, Tracy was the No. 31 running back in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 8 recruit in Indiana. Midway through his sophomore season, in
October 2015, he received his first scholarship offer (Cincinnati). As a junior, Tracy added offe rs from Boston College, Iowa, Louisville, Navy, Northwestern and
Syracuse. He committed to Iowa in April 2017 and ranked as the No. 12 recruit in head coach Kirk Ferentz's 2018 class (center Tyler Linderbaum was No. 1). Although
he signed as a running back, Tracy moved to wide receiver for the Hawkeyes. He was a starter to open the 2021 season, but his snaps fell off a cliff by the end of the
season. Frustrated by his diminished role, Tracy entered the transfer portal in December 2021 and chose Purdue less than a week later. In 2023, he took advantage of
an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the pandemic and returned to West Lafayette for a sixth season.
Both of his younger brothers play football at Miami (Ohio) — Kenny, who broke several of Tracy's records at Decatur Central, is a rising senior RB; Javon is a rising
sophomore WR. His cousin (Larry III) played DB at Indiana (2019-21) before transferring to Illinois State (2022). His cousin (Miles) played college basketball at Indiana
University South Bend (2018-23). Tracy graduated with his degree in communications (May 2023). He accepted his invitation to the 202 4 Hula Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) CAR YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD NOTES
2018: (4/0) 1 -1 -1.0 0 1 22 22.0 0 Iowa; WR; Redshirted; Enrolled in June 2018
2019: (13/8) 6 39 6.5 1 36 589 16.4 3 Iowa; WR
2020: (8/4) 2 22 11.0 0 14 154 11.0 1 Iowa; WR; Pandemic-shortened season
2021: (13/4) 7 33 4.7 1 15 106 7.1 1 Iowa; WR; Team captain
2022: (14/5) 17 138 8.1 0 28 198 7.1 0 Purdue; WR
2023: (11/9) 113 716 6.3 8 19 132 6.9 0 Purdue; RB; Led team in rushing TDs; 98-yard KR TD; Missed one game (injury)
Total: (63/30) 146 947 6.5 10 113 1,201 10.6 5
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 5111 209 9 1/8 31 3/4 76 5/8 4.48 2.62 1.56 40 10'4" 4.06 6.81 - (no bench press — choice)
PRO DAY 5112 209 9 31 1/4 76 3/4 - - - - - - - 20 (bench only; stood on combine — choice)
STRENGTHS: Well-built athlete with above-average speed ... shifty cutting skills to make steep backside cuts and quickly clear the first wave (averaged 4.44 yards after
contact in 2023) ... abruptly adjusts his pacing to shake defenders in space ... has enough run strength to drive through uncommitted tackles ... receiver background
shows when he is targeted out of the backfield ... eager to body up defenders in pass pro and scans quickly to pick up blitzes ... only one career fumble (none in 2023)
... ranked second in the Big Ten in kick-return yardage in 2023, including a 98-yard touchdown return (17/428/1) ... also stood out on kick and punt coverages (six
special-teams tackles) ... led the team with nine total touchdowns in 2023 (eight rushing, one kick return).
WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent anticipating run lanes and eyes get too big for his appetite ... needs to be more efficient pressing and setting up blocks ... overly patient on
some runs, too impatient on others ... momentum occasionally stalls out of his jump cuts and late to hit the gas ... slight hip tightness limits his fluidity out in space ...
guilty of running before securing catches and had a pair of drops (and a few bobbles) on his 2023 tape ... willing as a pass bl ocker but needs to sharpen his technique
... missed the Ohio State game in October 2023 because of injury ... will turn 25 during his rookie season ... spent only one of six college seasons as a running back.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Purdue, Tracy played a "WideBack" position in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell's scheme, which utilized h is skills as both a
running back and wide receiver. After four seasons as a receiver at Iowa, his versatility as ball carrie r blossomed in West Lafayette, and in 2023 he led the Big Ten in
rushing yards per carry (6.34). Displaying natural instincts with the ball in his hands, Tracy runs with the dynamic agility and elusiveness to slip tackles from different
angles (21.9 percent of his carries in 2023 resulted in a 10-plus-yard run, which ranked top five in the FBS). However, his inexperience at running back shows in his
sporadic tendencies when choosing run lanes. Overall, Tracy needs to improve his decision-making at the line of scrimmage, but he can create with his quick lateral
cuts and contact balance — and he can stay on the field on passing downs. He is a multi-dimensional threat as a rusher, receiver and special teamer, which
increases his chances of commanding an NFL roster spot.
GRADE: 4th Round


Tyrone Tracy, Purdue: A recent convert to the position from wide receiver, Tracy has excellent open-field skills, good
acceleration and speed, and raw power. If he can learn how to work between the tackles, Tracy could develop into a lead
back or high-end contributor in a committee.
Michael Wiley, Arizona: The athletic ability and

Discuss

https://x.com/PLeonardNYDN/status/1784303165178806642

Cosell

THEO JOHNSON'S 2024 NFL COMBINE RESULTS
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 259 lbs.
40-Time: 4.57
10-Yard Split: 1.55
Vertical: 39.5"
Broad Jump: 10'5"
3-Cone: 7.15
Shuttle: 4.19

THEO JOHNSON 2024 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS:
Alignment versatility in playing attached and detached to the formation, in the slot and split wide.
Very good size and strength allows him to have success engaging and maintain blocks in run, screen game.
Solid run blocker. Moves feet well and works hands to stay engaged with room for improvement with coaching.
Good tempo and pace as a blocker, allowing him to take the right angles and stay under control when in space.
Deceptive speed due to being a long strider and covers ground well vertically (good down the seams).
Good feel for route running in relation to coverage in how he uses his stem to set up his routes and separate.
Uses size well to make contested catches. Good catch radius to secure passes outside of his frame (RZ target).
Solid runner after the catch, who uses a blend of speed and power to pick up additional yards.

WEAKNESSES:
Better vertically than laterally. More smooth than sudden in his movements as route runner and ball carrier.
Upright playing style with stiff hips and choppy footwork when redirecting laterally, effecting separation ability.
Struggles to separate against quicker defenders on short to intermediate routes, especially in man coverage.
Willing and capable blocker, but due to his size, he plays upright at the point of contact, at times limiting his movement.

NFL TRANSITION:
Johnson possesses the position versatility to be used in multiple personnel groups and schemes because of his ability to play attached and detached, especially in the slot and use in the red zone as matchup problem for opposing defenses. His ability to block allows him to be to be either a primary TE or secondary TE in multiple TE sets.

Very good blocker who plays under control with good technique at the point of attack while possessing the athleticism and movement skills to stay engaged. Big frame and catch radius allow him to make catches in traffic or over the middle of the field.

He is a long strider with deceptive vertical speed to allow him to attack the seams. He struggles to redirect laterally as a route runner due to his upright playing style limiting his separation out of sharper in and out-breaking routes. He has a good feel for defensive coverage schemes and finding voids when running his routes, especially over the middle down the seams.

Overall, Johnson is an all-around TE with noticeable upside potential, who has the ability to contribute as a run blocker and as a versatile pass catcher who can make plays from attached or detached alignment. Johnson can be a Year 1 contributor in multiple TE sets and eventually develop into a solid No. 1 TE.

OTHER NOTES:
Johnson came out of Canada as 4-star recruit and was ranked 61st in the National across all positions and ranked third at the TE position. Was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game prior to going to Penn State.

Started in 28 games over his last three seasons and was All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023. Finished his career with 77 receptions, 938 yards and 12 TDs (7 TDs in 2023). Tied for fourth in the National among TEs with 11 receiving TDs over the last two seasons.

In 2022, Johnson had very good alignment versatility with 71 routes run from an attached TE alignment with 76 routes run from a slot alignment and 33 routes run from an outside WR alignment, having most of his success catching the ball and production from an attached alignment (13 receptions for 168 yards and 3 TDs). He had some success from the slot with six receptions for 132 yards and 1 TD.

In 2023, Johnson again had very good alignment versatility. He had even more routes run from a detached alignment in the slot, with 121 routes and 13 receptions for 127 yards and 3 TDs, with 24 routes run from an outside alignment (151 routes detached from formation) and had 97 routes run from an attached alignment with 17 catches for 185 yards and 4 TDs.


McGinn

4. THEO JOHNSON, Penn State (6-6, 261, 4.62, 3-4): Helped himself at the combine with a solid 40, a 39 ½-inch vertical jump and a position-best short shuttle of 4.19. "I'd rather take a shot on him than Sanders," one scout said. "He's on the upside. He's got assertiveness with his blocking but he's not consistent with his blocking. He can make hard, adjusting catches but he can't run after the catch. He doesn't make people miss in space." Started 29 of 45 games over four years, finishing with 77 receptions for 938 (12.2) and 12 TDs. "He's a little bit intriguing," said another scout. "He's a big guy. He's fast. He'll give you effort as a blocker. He's much improved in that area. He's got ball skills. He's a really clunky mover, a really unnatural route runner. He's Canadian, so he's raw. I thought he might go back to school. If somebody really wants one they might take him in the third but I don't think he's worth that." From Windsor, Ontario.


NFL.com

By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 3

Overview
Highly recruited out of high school, Johnson looks the part with an above-average frame and traits. While teams might want to place him in an elevated silo for consideration, they might not find the consistency or high number of flashes on tape that they were expecting. Johnson's run blocking is below average for his size, and adopting a glass-eating mentality in conjunction with technique work could help him improve in that area. He'll make contested catches and is adequate against man coverage, but he lacks dynamic qualities as a pass catcher. Traits will work in his favor, but there is work to be done to become anything more than an average backup.

Strengths
Excellent size and build with good musculation across his frame.
Displays decent lift with hips/hands when fitting up his base block.
Widens base and runs his feet through initial contact.
Runs routes with proper leverage to stem and separate at break point.
Will make the contested catch more times than not.

Weaknesses
Tends to drift rather than sit down when sinking into zone voids.
Not a very dynamic runner after the ball is in his hands.
Waist-bending into run blocks allows edge defender to slip off and around.
Missing a hard-hat run-blocking mentality as a Y tight end.
Needs to improve his mirror-and-strike talent against moving fronts.
GRADE

Brugler


THEO JOHNSON | Penn State 6061 | 259 lbs. | 4SR Windsor, Ontario (Holy Names) 2/26/2001 (age 23.16) #84
BACKGROUND: Theodore "Theo" Johnson, the thirdoldestof six boys, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba (north of the Minnesota-Canada border). His parents (Nate
and Amy)moved the family to Brampton and then Cambridge (both in Ontario, just outside of Toronto), and Johnson started playing football in second grade. In
January 2009, Amy and her sixboys left a difficult and allegedly abusive situation at home — Theo reportedly referred to it as an "escape" — and Nate was given a
nine-month jail sentence (he was released on time served). For the next three months, Amy (in school at the time studying social development at Waterloo) and the
boys were forced to live in alternative housing. They attended food banks to make ends meet. The family moved to Windsor, Ontario in August 2012, so Amy could
attend law school at the University of Windsor. She graduated with her law degree in 2015 and is now a family law litigator — shemade partner at her firm in 2021.
Johnson attended Holy Names Catholic High School in Windsor, where he was a two-year letterman as a wide receiver (Canadianrulesfootball). He led the program
to back-to-back city and region championships in 2018 and 2019 and was named All-City and All-Canada both years. Johnson caught 18 touchdowns over his junior
and senior seasons and was named an Under Armour All-American.
A four-star recruit, Johnson was the No. 3 tight end in the 2020 recruiting class (behind Arik Gilbert and Michael Mayer) and the No. 1 recruit from Ontario. He was
the No. 72 recruit nationally (a few spots ahead of RB Jahmyr Gibbs). He was an unknown in the recruiting world until the summer of 2018, when he impressed at the
Grand Valley State "Best of the Midwest" recruiting camp. Bowling Green offered him on the spot,followed by Cincinnati and Toledo. Over the next calendar year,
Johnson attracted a few dozen scholarship offers from some of the nation's top programs, like Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State. He narrowed down his choice
to Georgia, Iowa, Michigan and Penn State,and he committed to head coach James Franklin in December 2019. Johnson enrolled early and was the second-ranked
recruit in the Nittany Lions' 2020 class (behind five-star LB Curtis Jacobs).
Johnson'sfather played wide receiver at Mott Community College (1976-77) and Hillsdale College (1978-79) and was drafted in the seventh round (No. 193) of the
1980 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Nate also ran track at Hillsdale and played several years in the CFL (1982 -84). Theo's older brother (Dominic) played
quarterback at Buffalo before moving to wide receiver and leading the team in receiving as a redshirt seniorin 2021. He was drafted No. 32 in the 2021 CFL Draft by
Edmonton. Dominic also played basketball for two seasons at Buffalo, including on the team that upset Arizona in the first round ofthe 2018 NCAA tournament, and
was a graduate assistant coach for the Alabama basketball team in 2022-23. Johnson'sfour other brothers are Nathan, Levi, Michael and Keon. Johnson is older for a
four-year college prospect, because Canadian rules require a fifth year of high school. He accepted his invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD DROP NOTES
2020: (8/1) 4 56 14.0 0 0 Enrolled in January 2020; pandemic-shortened season
2021: (13/6) 19 213 11.2 1 2
2022: (11/9) 20 328 16.4 4 2 Missed two games (injury)
2023: (13/13) 34 341 10.0 7 2 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten; Led team in receiving TDs
Total: (45/29) 77 938 12.2 12 6
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 6061 259 10 1/4 33 80 3/4 4.57 2.68 1.61 39 1/2 10'5" 4.19 7.15 - (no bench press – choice)
PRO DAY - 261 - - - - - - - - - - 19 (bench press only – choice)
STRENGTHS: Good-looking athlete with ideal size/speed measurements for the position ... smooth mover with fluid control of his body as a route runner and at the
catch point (best short shuttle among tight ends at the combine)... flashes the acceleration to gain a step of separation on runway routes ... snares the ball well in
stride and quickly securesit to protect the catch ... has no problem expanding his catch radius to climb the ladder and adjust to inaccurate passes ... looks comfortable
securing grabs in traffic ... shows his quickness on cutoff blocks and made steady strides with his run blocking... awarded Penn State's "Iron Lion" Award for strength
and conditioning as a senior (NFL scout: "I know (Pat) Freiermuth influenced him a lot when he got there and showed him what it takes to play big-boy football.") ...
was a regular on punt- and kick-return coverage as a senior (243 career snaps) ... experienced across the formation.
WEAKNESSES: Runs predictable routes and gives tells to defenders on his intended path ... has the balance to make the first man miss, just doesn't do it enough (only
two catches of 25-plus yards in 2023) ... needs to show better snap through his hips, both as a route runner and blocker ... tends to overextend himself as a blocker
and needs to improve his base and positioning to control the point of attack ... committed five penalties in 2023 (three false starts, one pass interference, one
unsportsmanlike conduct) ... below-average career production (fewer than 1,000 career receiving yards ... off-field vetting will be key, as he was charged with two
misdemeanors (one for simple assault, one for criminal mischief), stemming from a February 2023 incident at a fraternity house (Johnson was ordered to complete a
six-month, pre-trial intervention program for first-time offenders).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Penn State, Johnson was a versatile tight end in former offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich's RPO-based scheme, splitting his time
betweeninline (47.9 percent), slot (38.8 percent) and wide (9.8 percent). A wide receiver in high school in Canada, he faced a steep transition moving to tight end at
State College and didn't have a 100-yard receiving performance in 45 college games (and reached 75 yards just once). But his production steadily climbed each
season, and he led the Nittany Lions in touchdown grabs in 2023. Johnson is quick off the ball and builds his speed downfield, giving his quarterback a big tar get with
his size, strong hands and athletic catch radius. As a blocker, he doesn't embarrass himself but needs to better understand leverage and develop mor e of a glasschewing mentality. Overall, Johnson has inconsistent college tape and production, but he has A-plus measurements and smooth athletic tools that could allow him
to continue developing and become a better pro than college player. Although he is a work in progress, he is a worthy long-term investment for an NFL team.
GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 80 overall)

Discuss

Discuss here


Albert Breer
@AlbertBreer
·
1m
A reminder for Day 3 of the draft: Most NFL folks I've talked to believe the quality of the class collapses after Round 4. It's the effect of NIL & the portal, keeping guys in school—just 58 underclassmen declared (was 130 in '21).

Expect scrambling to get targeted guys today.

Dan Duggan
@DDuggan21
My daily public service (that I started researching for my own purposes but figured I'd share), here's the expected time for the Giants' three picks today:

• Pick 107: Around 12:17
• Pick 166: Around 3
• Pick 183: Around 3:45

That's a long wait between the fourth and fifth round picks due to the pick swap with Carolina in the fifth from the Burns trade. No matter what Schoen does today, he gets an A+ as long as he doesn't add a seventh round pick in a trade.
11:32 AM · Apr 27, 2024
·
9,483
 Views

Media Q&A with Tyler Nubin:

Q. Tyler, congratulations...

TYLER NUBIN: What's going on, man. Thank you, thank you so much.

Q. Just curious, how much interaction did you have with the Giants in this process and what was your reaction when they called you to let you know you were their pick?

TYLER NUBIN: I had great interactions with them. They came out and saw me. I did a workout for them. Got on the board, had a great conversation with their coaches. A great conversation with them at the Combine, too, as well, going over film. It was a great atmosphere being around them, and being around Coach Daboll, as well. It was great, honestly. I was so happy when they called me and when that call came in because we already had a connection.

Q. What kind of player are you and what are you bringing to the Giants, do you think?

TYLER NUBIN: I'm an everything player. I feel like I'm a guy that can do it all on the field. I like to call myself a Swiss Army knife. I can move around everywhere. I can blitz. I am come down and hit the box, I can play over the top. Anywhere on the field I'm comfortable.

Q. Who from the team was there for your work out?

TYLER NUBIN: The safeties coach (Michael Treier) and I think their assistant GM (Brandon Brown).

Q. What about your ability to track the ball and intercept it? Seems to be something you did quite well in college.

TYLER NUBIN: It comes from my preparation, for real. I feel like that's really what it is – how I approach the game, the things I do throughout the week to set myself up for success on the weekend, on Saturdays, now Sundays, to make the game easy.

Q. When you met with the Giants, you know, they are coming in with a new defensive system and with a new defensive coordinator, did you get to do any work with them as far as what you'll be asked to do, what they expect their safeties to do?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah. We did a little bit of work on just understanding the basics of their defense and what they ask their safeties to do. Not specifically what they want me to do. Just being able to teach me a couple things.

Q. How emotional of a moment was that when your phone rang and it was the Giants?

TYLER NUBIN: Oh, man, I've been crying the last 35 minutes (laughs). No, for real.

Q. What were you doing tonight? What were the plans and how were you approaching tonight?

TYLER NUBIN: I had a bunch of my family and friends, we had a little venue that we rented just with couches and tables to watch the Draft. I was surrounded by all of my close family and friends. So when that came in, it was awesome, man, to be around them.

Q. For you personally, why did it hit so hard? What about it made it so special to you?

TYLER NUBIN: Honestly, not even thinking about the work that I put in. The work everybody around me put in, my parents have been working so hard for me all my life, being able to set me up in a good situation. You know, teach me the right things. All of my family and friends around me, on top of the work that I put in, there's just so many people and so many sacrifices that were made over a long period of time leading up to this moment, it just all came out. Honestly that's what it was.

Q. I read a story about you in The Star Tribune that when, I believe, you were in Illinois, living in Illinois and you kind of met with a coach to say that you were going to put in the work to get to be, frankly, in the position you're in now. Do I have some of that right or all of that right?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, yeah, that was my high school coach.

Q. Okay...

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah.

Q. Have you heard from (center) John Michael Schmitz yet?

TYLER NUBIN: I have not. My phone is blowing up. I've got to call him, actually.

Q. Are you good friends with him or do you know him pretty well since you guys were teammates?

TYLER NUBIN: Oh, yeah, me and John Michael are super close. I was actually hoping I'd get a chance to play with him and (inside linebacker) Carter (Coughlin).

Q. I read that you had a knee surgery after the season. Just what was the problem with your knee and how much did that affect you in the pre-Draft process?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, so I played like six games on a torn meniscus last year. Got it scoped at the end of the season. I kind of accelerated my recovery process to get myself ready for the Combine because I really wanted to compete at the Combine and pro day. So, that kind of bit me in the butt a little bit. It affected me, but honestly, I wouldn't do anything differently than I did because I really just wanted to compete.

Q. I saw some clips of you. You looked like you are a center fielder out there. Is that how you read the play?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, I'm real comfortable running under the ball and going to get it. That's my game for real.

Q. I think you were the first safety taken. Does that mean something to you, and were you aware of that? Like did you compare yourself to the other guys throughout the process?

TYLER NUBIN: Honestly, I'm just thankful for this opportunity. I was going to cry my eyes out no matter where I was picked, if I was picked here or picked 199, I'm just thankful to be in this position. I can't wait to get to work for the Giants.

Q. What are you most excited about for this opportunity?

TYLER NUBIN: Playing football, honestly, and getting back to playing football. Doing the thing I love most and doing it well and helping the Giants win.

Q. Have you ever been to this area?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, I've been to New York. We had a Bowl game out in New York. That was actually my first time staying there a couple years ago. It was awesome. I love the city.


Media Q&A with Andru Phillips:

Q. What's tonight been like for you?

DRU PHILLIPS: It's been a night. You know, you sit there, you wait for a little bit, you don't know. But right now, I can't even explain it, man. This has meant the world to me.

Q. What do you think about coming to New York, playing for the Giants and being in this area and the City?

DRU PHILLIPS: I can't think of a better organization to go play for. I had one of my Top-30s up there and everyone up there was so cool and it was like, I feel like I fit in right along. I can't wait to go up there and play ball and fit in with everybody.

Q. What makes you think you fit in, or like on that visit what stood out to you to make you feel that way?

DRU PHILLIPS: It came with the history of the program. I was walking around the facility and it has so much history and then you get to meet the people and the coaches and everyone, we bonded so well and we all have the same goal, which is to go out there and win, genuinely go out there and do anything to win the football game. I met what type of people they are, and they are the same. Just good people and that's what I kind of lean towards, so I'm happy to be a part of this organization.

Q. What are the practice battles with (wide receiver) Wan'Dale Robinson going to be like?

DRU PHILLIPS: Man, I can't even describe it. We've been talking crap for so long, he even just called me. II can't wait to go against a great player like him. He's established himself in a way up there in New York, and being able to compete and just go win and get better each and every day against him. It's going to be a great competition.

Q. How many years have you played together?

DRU PHILLIPS: We played one year at Kentucky. I was younger, though. He may have had the best of me back then, but I think it's different for me now.

Q. How comfortable are you playing on the outside? It seems like your best position might be in the slot. How comfortable are you on the outside?

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, especially after this past year when I played both, that outside became so comfortable by the last game of the season – I was out there, (inaudible) outside corners, but off my skill set and comfortability, it felt like second nature. It was right there really with the inside. It just takes more reps and stuff, but I'm right there. I can compete with anybody.

Q. How often were you asked about the interception total throughout this whole process and how do you explain, I would imagine, I don't know if the emotions are frustrating, that you were close. How do you explain not being able to get one?

DRU PHILLIPS: I was asked about it, but in the grand scheme of everything, everybody knows I'm sticky. In coverage, I'm sticky. I'm going to get the ball off dudes. I'm going to do my job in the back end. It was asked, but at the same time, they understand who I am, when I was coming in, I've shown (inaudible) going to catch no type of balls in that type of sense. You know, I'm just trying to get the balls off guys, it was a question, but they understand it like I'm doing my job, I'm doing it at a very high level. So, they trust me.

Q. How are your hands?

DRU PHILLIPS: Man, they are really good. They are really good. But at the same time, there's always work to get better. I'm always going to work to get better at it. I'm on the JUGS machine. I'm going to be up there in New York and just working, I'm going to get the turnovers.

Q. What was your night like tonight? What was the setup and what were you thinking? Did you expect to go tonight? Talk about the emotions of it all...

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, so I thought I was going to go tonight. But I have my family and I have my friends over. It's just how the Draft plays out. You don't know. I just put my faith into God, and I was talking to my family, and I was hoping to land at a great organization and I'm glad I landed at the Giants. It's a great fit for me and a great organization, as well.

Q. Do you prefer Dru or Andru?

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, you guys can call me Dru. I go by Dru.

Q. How many 30s did you take?

DRU PHILLIPS: I took basically ten 30s. If you want to count one, the Rams, they don't fly people out, but I did ten 30s (visits).

BRIAN DABOLL: So just before we start, Korey Cunningham, our thoughts and prayers are with his family. You know, not much to add to it. Just unfortunate circumstances that happened, and it's tough. Tough on the coaches. Tough on the players. And we're just praying for everybody involved.

Q. Can you talk about the safety in the second round, there was a big run on cornerbacks.

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, there was.

Q. I'm sure you noticed that.

JOE SCHOEN: There was but we were very, very fortunate to get (Tyler) Nubin there, a guy that we spent a lot of time with. He had an injury. We went out to his pro day when he was healthy to see him out there. Obviously losing (Xavier McKinney) in the off-season, to get Nubin at that value, a guy with high character, leadership, smart, tough, dependable, and then the 13 career interceptions. Just a good football player. Culture changer at the University of Minnesota and he's going to bring that type of mentality here, and I think that will come out tomorrow when you guys meet with him and spend some time with him. Just a really special kid that's a good football player.

Q. A bunch of teams traded up to get corners?

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, there were.

Q. Was that ever a consideration for you?

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, there were enough players there that we liked, and where we are, again, we have needs throughout the draft. And we were able to get a corner in round three that works out about as well in (Dru) Phillips.

Q. The top safety pick, the first safety, what separated him from some of the other guys?

JOE SCHOEN: I would say that he takes the ball away. 13 career interceptions. He's a ball hawk. To me, the leadership, the character, the smarts, safety, the ability to communicate out there. To get guys to lined up I think is very important, and this kid is elite at those types of things.

Q. You mentioned the 13 interceptions a couple of times. Phillips had zero interceptions which stands out on the other end.

JOE SCHOEN: Right.

Q. Why is that not a concern, and what does he do well to make up for it?

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, it is and some of these guys that are 5-11, 200, run 4-4 would be playing receivers if they had really good ball skills unfortunately. But no, I mean, he's sticky. He's in terms of coverage, he's around the football a lot. And watching him down in the Senior Bowl on one-on-ones, he has a lot of traits and those are things we are going to work on. He's in position, but he just has to finish a little bit better. But I really like the athlete, like the kid, look forward to him getting here. Told Wan'Dale, he's got to be ready for practice because Dru said he was going to be locking him up. That will be good competition there.

Q. Do you view him as a slot corner?

JOE SCHOEN: He can play both. He's got the versatility to play inside, and outside. But we have options because Flott can play inside, and outside as well. If he goes inside, Flott can go outside or vice-versa. The versatility is also attractive for all these guys with the new defense.

Q. Sounds like you'll begin with him in the slot.

JOE SCHOEN: Most likely. I've leave that up to Dabs and his staff. We have options with him being able to play both and with Flott being able to do both.

Q. Playing sort of the opposite with Flott, do you plan to start him on the outside?

BRIAN DABOLL: We just drafted this young man. So, we'll figure all that stuff out when we get into practice. We'll be able to play both those guys at different spots and see how it all unfolds.

Q. Coming into the Draft, cornerback, and safety would have been looked at as your bigger needs. Taking these guys, does that preclude you from still adding in free agency after the Draft?

JOE SCHOEN: No. We still can. I think continuing to add depth throughout the roster is important, and again, there was — when we picked in the second, there was, gosh, there were probably five or six players that we liked, and you know, a guy goes — you can't take them all, unfortunately.

I wish we could, but we were able to get a good football player, and that's the most important thing, and we're excited about Nubin.

Q. Four years ago, this franchise, not you, drafted Xavier in the second round. Is this almost getting a younger, cheaper version of him or just the position value kind of thing?

JOE SCHOEN: Younger and cheaper, yes. This young man has not played a snap in the league yet, so he'll come here. He'll compete. We still have some guys in the safety room that we like and he'll have to come and earn his spot but we like the young man. He's a good football player, and again, he's got a lot of dominant traits in his play.

Q. Was there any consideration to quarterback in round two or three?

JOE SCHOEN: We took the best player at both spots. The way it fell, the two guys we took were the best guys at that time.

Q. Nubin said that he played most of the year, or six games with a meniscus. You mentioned last night how you liked the toughness of Nabers with the shoulder. I don't want to say that's a trend but that kind of toughness for you what did that mean for both of you guys?

BRIAN DABOLL: I'd say the college scouts, Joe, and his staff, have done a really good job of identifying these traits that we covet. Toughness being probably near the top. And all three of the players that we've acquired so far, really fit that mold in terms of, I'd say mentally tough and physically tough. I think that's important. Defensively, tough tacklers. You know, Dru, he'll bring the wood now. And Malik's mentality, how he is, and then you guys talked to Tyler. Both Tyler and Dru, were pretty emotional when we called them. They care about the game. They have the right mindset, and it's a credit to our college scouts, Joe, and his staff, for really identifying some of those traits and we're happy to have both of them.

Q. There was a burglary arrest in Phillips' background that got dismissed. I think the teammates even filed a lawsuit after. What did you learn about that in your research?

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, there's nothing there for him. You guys can read up on it but he was cleared and yeah, there was a lawsuit eventually after that. So yeah, we're good with all that.

Q. Do you think the knee during the season may have slowed down and changed how Nubin played maybe if he was a hundred percent healthy?

JOE SCHOEN: I'm sure it was bothering him at some point during the season but again that's the way the kid's wired. You had the question about the injury, and again, it's a long season, 17 games and training camp. These guys are all playing through nicks and dings and whatever it may be. So it's a testament to the kid's character and toughness to play through that stuff because it's going to happen here. It wasn't a light injury. He was in some pain. So just the fact that he wanted to be out there his last year at Minnesota and not let his teammates down, I think that's a testament to who the kid is.

Q. You have a new defensive coordinator, how much is what his vision for what he wants to manifest in these two players?

BRIAN DABOLL: I'd say that Shane (Bowen) has done a really good job along with the defensive staff of identifying the players that fit what we want to do, communicating with Joe and his staff, and like I've said, they have done a great job of putting people out there that we think can help us on both sides of the ball.

Q. From a scouting perspective, was there anything different you were kind of looking for for secondary players in these guys with Shane and the new defense?

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, I would say that –

Q. Obviously less man.

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, probably less man, not as much press. But still the versatility piece I think came up multiple times, whether it was if we would not have gotten a corner in the third, well, okay, Dane Belton has versatility, J-Pinn (Jason Pinnock), Tyler, like how can those guys play, (Isaiah) Simmons. The versatility and the chess pieces, I think Shane is going to do a good job moving those guys around. The versatility piece came up multiple times in our meetings.

Q. The Panthers traded up right in front of you in the second round for a running back. Do you think they thought you were thinking running back there?

JOE SCHOEN: I'm not sure. I'm really tight with Dan. Dan Morgan is one of my best friends in the world. We didn't talk much about that. They called us, as well, so it was like, hey, would you maybe want to move back? I don't know if he just got antsy. In some of those situations, it's not always just us. Maybe other teams are trying to trade up with the team from us. So you don't know, when you find somebody you like and you want to go get them and they are within range, you try to pull the trigger. I'm not sure if he thought we might do that or not.

Q. Were you contemplating running back at all today, and is it something you would like to fill at least at some point in this draft?

JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, again, just the amount of needs on the roster, we were looking across the board. Again, we were taking the best player available the first three days and that will shift. Maybe if there's a safety, we like in the fourth round, maybe you look a different direction or if it's — maybe receiver, so you kind of adjust your board as you — based on who you've picked before. So yeah, we won't rule that out.

Q. Didn't ask this last night, but did picking neighbors impact Darius's stats? He's in an unsettled spot. Does that make him more apt to be traded?

JOE SCHOEN: No, again, we've already paid a roster bonus. He had one that kicked in the fifth day of the league year, and you look at the P5, where that is, and you want to look at the production from last year to this year and you take all those things into account. Us drafting Malik Neighbors doesn't affect where we are on that.

Q. What do you like about your defense now after the moves you've made?

JOE SCHOEN: I know the players that are under contract for more than one year. So again, Dexter is under contract. His contract status. Burns is for five years. Kayvon for three. Okereke for another three, Tae Banks for four, and just got Nubin for four years. You've got a young core group of players that will be able to be together for — and again, I know people want instant gratification, but it takes time to build this, and then over time, you have guys that are able to create continuity because they play together year over year. It was something we experienced in Buffalo. By the time we left, some of those guys had been playing together for four years in the same exact scheme, same defense, and playing together. I think that's important from communication and just being on the same page when you're playing as 1/11 and everybody knowing their job. I'm excited about the young core that we have together and the guys that are under contract for multiple years and even guys that may only have a year left that potentially we can extend down the road. But I do think we have pieces in place that I like that are going to be together for a couple of years here.

Q. Have you had any further clarification on Darren, whether he's coming back or —

JOE SCHOEN: No, nothing's changed there. We're still giving him space and when he's ready to make a decision, we'll have those conversations.

drafted a safety and CB on day two?  It's not like they restocked in free agency