The New York Giants selected safety Tyler Nubin out of Minnesota in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nubin represented an infusion of young talent into the team’s secondary and the defense overall. In the Joe Schoen era, the Giants have invested heavily in the secondary, with mixed results. Cor’Dale Flott has been inconsistent, despite being a top-100 pick. Former first-round cornerback Deonte Banks struggled against opposing WR1s in 2024.
Now, Schoen is pairing the second-year safety with established veteran Jevon Holland and an upgraded pass rush unit in front of him. With these additions, Nubin could be the defense’s breakout star in 2025.
Tyler Nubin Could Be a Breakout Star on Giants Defense
Tyler Nubin’s Promising Rookie Season
As a rookie, Nubin played 754 of 756 available defensive snaps. In total, he had 93 total tackles and posted just a 9% missed tackle rate. Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.0 run-defense grade, which ranked as the second-highest among safeties in the NFL last season. Ideally, defenses don’t want their safeties leading in run defense stats, as that typically means opposing runners are reaching the second level. Still, Nubin’s individual run defense grade didn’t translate to team success. The Giants earned just a 68.5 run defense grade, the fourth-worst in the NFL.
This isn’t an indictment of Nubin’s performance. Instead, it suggests that with a stronger defensive line in 2025, he’ll have the freedom to play more instinctively on the back end. He wasn’t dominant as a rookie, but he did establish a solid foundation on an otherwise struggling defense. The key to his breakout potential lies in improving his pass defense, specifically being around the football more often.
College Tape Offers Encouraging Insight
In college, Nubin had a nose for the football and consistently forced turnovers. He set a school record with 13 career interceptions and earned a 90.1 PFF coverage grade. His ability to make plays on the ball made him an appealing top-50 pick for a Giants defense that values range and versatility. Newly hired coordinator Shane Bowen runs a scheme built around two-high safeties and zone concepts. Nubin was projected to play a role similar to what Kevin Byard did under Bowen in Tennessee.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case in Nubin’s rookie season. Across 754 snaps, he recorded just one pass deflection—the only time he got his hands on the ball all year. However, his college tape offers hope that, as the game slows down for him in Year 2, those ball-hawking tendencies will return. If that happens, Nubin could break out this season and solidify the secondary.
How Nubin Fits into the Giants System
Bowen’s defensive system is an ideal match for Nubin’s instincts. It relies on two-high shells and frequently rotates three-safety sub-packages. In 2024, Nubin was paired with Jason Pinnock in the back end. While Pinnock is a solid depth player, he was forced into a starting role. He struggled against the run and, despite his athleticism, was a consistent liability in coverage.
Nubin and Jevon Holland Could be a Dynamic Duo
Now, with former Dolphins captain Jevon Holland lined up beside him, Nubin has the opportunity to flourish. Holland has a proven knack for making plays in the passing game. Together, the duo could confidently split the deep half of the field, something that wasn’t possible in 2024. Last season, Nubin was forced to cover Pinnock’s mistakes, often playing two roles at once. With a reliable partner next to him, he can return to form as an aggressive safety who takes smart risks to create turnovers.
This offseason, there’s growing excitement about the potential of the Giants’ defense in 2025. While the upgraded pass rush, including rookie Abdul Carter, could elevate the unit, the true X-factor may be the development of their young secondary. Among that group, Nubin has the best chance to emerge as the Giants’ breakout defensive star in 2025.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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