The New York Giants have made a strategic move in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting safety Tyler Nubin. With a prospect grade of 6.33, Nubin is projected to eventually become a plus starter in the league. His combination of size, length, and instincts makes him a valuable addition to the Giants’ defense.
Overview
Tyler Nubin is a talented safety prospect who stands out with his ability to play as an interchangeable safety. His most notable skill is his knack for intercepting passes, making him a potential game-changer in the secondary. Nubin excels in two-high safety looks, where his range allows him to cover significant ground. He possesses a keen sense of anticipation, using his instincts to read the quarterback’s intentions and make plays on the ball.
While Nubin’s man coverage skills are average and he may lack elite top-end speed, his discipline and anticipation help compensate for these shortcomings. In run support, he shows capability, though his pursuit angles sometimes allow runners to beat him to the outside. Nevertheless, his overall traits, instincts, and ball skills give him a strong foundation to develop into a long-term starter for the Giants.
Strengths
- Ideal Physical Traits: Nubin has the size and length that teams desire in a safety, giving him an advantage in both coverage and tackling.
- Instincts and Mentality: He plays with a predatory mindset, particularly effective in split safety and robber alignments. His ability to read the quarterback and anticipate throws makes him a formidable ball hawk.
- Ball Skills: Nubin is a high-end ball tracker with the skills to create turnovers and change the momentum of the game.
- Athleticism: Light on his feet, Nubin displays agility and balance in open-field coverage, which helps him stay effective even when his top-end speed is challenged.
- Tackling Range: His length and agility allow him to make tackles against cuts, expanding his effective range on the field.
Weaknesses
- Top-End Speed: Nubin’s speed is considered average, which can be a concern when trying to chase down faster targets.
- Man-Cover Transitions: His burst out of man coverage transitions is also average, which can hinder his effectiveness against quick, agile receivers.
- Run Support: While capable, Nubin needs to improve his timing when fitting into run gaps and his pursuit angles to maintain leverage to the sideline.
Scouting Perspective
According to an AFC scouting director, Nubin’s speed is a primary concern, but his instincts and overall abilities make him a solid player. His tackling can improve, but his intuitive play and ball skills make him a valuable asset, justifying his selection in the second round.
Conclusion
Tyler Nubin brings a blend of physical traits, instinctive play, and ball skills that the New York Giants will look to develop. Despite some areas needing improvement, his potential to become a long-term starter in the NFL is promising. Giants fans can look forward to seeing Nubin’s impact on the field as he grows into his role and helps strengthen the team’s defensive unit.