FAST TRACK
Rookies arrive with all sorts of expectations thrust upon them, based on how high they were selected in the NFL draft, what level of prospect they are considered to be and how ready they are to compete at the next level.
Their height, weight, speed and strength are all part of evaluating their readiness. Their maturity, ability to accept coaching and tolerance for discomfort — physical and mental — are all ingredients coaching staffs use to figure out which of the youngsters might be immediate contributors.
Factoring in all these measurables, the Giants anticipate Tyler Nubin will be able to handle what is thrown at him early and often. After five years in college and 48 games at Minnesota, Nubin has loads of experience and earning a starting role in Year 1 with the Giants is a workable plan.
There is something else about Nubin, though, that separates him from most newcomers. Not long after the Giants took him in the second round, general manager Joe Schoen’s first comments described Nubin as “a guy with high character, leadership’’ and added this: “Culture changer at the University of Minnesota and he’s going to bring that type of mentality here.’’
Labeling an NFL novice in that way is unusual. The Giants are serious about Nubin as more than a ball-hawking defensive back. They view him as someone who is charismatic and will rise to be a team captain, sooner rather than later.
This is heady stuff and Nubin is not prepared to anoint himself as someone others will follow. He is taking in his first action with the Giants, participating the past few days in a rookie minicamp, trying to stand out without forcing himself on anyone.
“Right now, I’m just trying to learn as much as possible, be as vocal as I can, try to put myself and everybody else in positions to succeed,’’ Nubin said. “So just being able to learn and be a sponge and soak up as much as possible and be able to give that to other guys, that’s my main goal right now.’’
What about assuming a leadership role as a rookie?
“I think everybody can be a leader,’’ he said. “Everybody can be a leader on a football team no matter who you are.’’
Cornerback Dru Phillips, another member of the 2024 draft class, met Nubin at the team facility the day after both were selected by the Giants. They went to dinner together and the Giants hope these two will play alongside each other in the secondary for years to come.
One day into the rookie camp, Nubin already made an impression on his new teammate.
“He’s good. He’s vocal,’’ Phillips said. “I know I took my time in the playbook, but you hear him a lot of times in the back end he’s yelling it. Sometimes you almost can’t hear yourself calling out the plays. I can tell he’s going to be a great player because of his knowledge and how he communicates on the field.’’
That is a solid start. Nubin at 6-foot-1 and 199 pounds looks the part and his 13 interceptions for the Golden Gophers bode well for his athletic ability, instincts and preparation. With Xavier McKinney gone — he signed with the Packers — a spot is open at safety opposite Jason Pinnock and Nubin will be afforded every opportunity to gain that spot.
Along the way, the Giants’ coaching staff thinks it likely that Nubin will win friends and influence people as he grows into a leadership role. It takes more than two days at rookie camp for that to happen.
“Yeah, I would say it’s too early,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. “We did a lot of research obviously before the draft. I’ve talked to him for a few minutes since he’s been here.’’
And? Is there a leader inside Nubin waiting to emerge?
“You know, all points say yes,’’ Daboll said. “The signs lead to yes. Again, he’s got a lot to learn, and I would say learning the information and how we do things is the most important right now.’’
Schoen listed Nubin’s “leadership, the character, the smarts, ability to communicate out there’’ as “elite at those types of things.’’ As he develops as a player, the Giants are eager to see how Nubin develops as someone they can build around.