Grading every rookie from Giants’ 2024 class ​on January 9, 2025 at 3:36 pm

By now, every NFL fan knows who Malik Nabers is. Despite a mad shuffle at quarterback this year, Nabers still managed to have a monster rookie campaign. He recorded 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games.

Nabers’ 109 receptions is a Giants single-season record and also the most by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history. His 1,204 yards are the ninth-highest total in Giants history and the second most by a Giants rookie.

The sky is the limit for Nabers. He will only improve over time, especially if and when the Giants can get more stability at quarterback.

Grade: A+

The Giants did not hesitate to select Tyler Nubin when they were on the clock in the second round in last year’s draft. They saw him as a possible centerpiece of their defense for years to come.

They’ve been right so far. Before Nubin suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 13, he had played all but a handful of snaps and was leading all NFL rookies in tackles. He is seen as a huge part of the Giants’ core going forward and will be one of their leaders as well.

Grade: A+

Andru Philips was drafted to fill nickel and slot corner roles and ended up doing that and more for the Giants this season. He played in 14 games, starting six, and played on 56.2 percent of the tram’s defensive snaps.

Phillips made 71 total tackles (46 solo, seven for a loss) with two forced fumbles and an interception. He is a building block on a young secondary that, along with Nubin, has a bright future.

Grade: A

The Giants needed a tight end after Darren Waller’s sudden retirement and case wisely in Penn State’s Theo Johnson, who, at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, is almost a carbon copy of Waller. Injuries slowed Johnson in trying camp but he managed to get on the field and make an impact.

Johnson played in 12 games, starting 11. He caught 29 of 43 targets for 331 yards and a touchdown before being shelved for the season with a Lisfranc injury.

Grade: B

Tyrone Tracy Jr. was being heralded as a late-round steal as early as the day after the was drafted. The Purdue star, who began his college career as a wide receiver at Iowa, displayed exceptional versatility, explosion, and production as a rookie and his emergence has helped the Giants rebuild their offensive backfield in the aftermath of Saquon Barkley’s departure.

Tracy rushed for 839 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, team highs in both categories. He also added 284 yards and another score on 38 receptions and ran back three kickoffs for a total of 61 yards.

Tracy’s 1,123 scrimmage yards place him second among Giants rookie running backs, behind Barkley’s 2,028 yards in 2018. Tracy and Nabers become the first rookie duo to both eclipse 1,000 yards from scrimmage since 2006.

Grade: A

The Giants felt they had a gamer in Darius Muasau, who began his productive college career at Hawaii before moving on to UCLA. Muasau played in 15 games, starting seven this season, and recorded an interception in his first NFL game.

Muasau played on 39.7 percent of the defensive snaps and 55 percent of the special teams plays. He recorded 55 tackles (26 solo, three for a loss) and had one QB hit.

Grade: A

Elijah Chatman’s size (5’11, 278) was a detriment during the draft as he’s a bit undersized for an interior NFL lineman. That did not deter the Giants from signing the SMU star and giving him a real shot to make the roster in camp, which he did.

Chatman dressed for all 17 games this season, starting three. He played on 38.6 percent of the defensive snaps this season, making 21 tackles with four QB pressures and a sack.

Grade: B+

The Giants signed Jake Kubas in May after the draft and the North Dakota State product made the initial 53-man roster out of training camp. Kubas was largely a game-day inactive most of the season but dressed for the final five games, starting three. He should be in the plans as a developmental/depth player going forward.

Grade: Incomplete