The Giants spent the offseason trying to shore up a secondary that needed help, and they did it by adding Colton Hood, bringing back Jason Pinnock and signing Greg Newsome II. But after three preseason games, Tyler Nubin is the name making the loudest case to matter most in 2026.
According to Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness, Nubin was New York’s highest-graded player through those three preseason outings. He allowed only one completion as the primary defender and finished with a 91.4 coverage grade. PFF had him as the second-highest-graded defensive player in the league.
That kind of showing is exactly what the Giants have been waiting for from a player who was supposed to be a key piece on the back end after Xavier McKinney wasn’t re-signed. Through two seasons, though, Nubin hasn’t quite matched that expectation. Quarterbacks have completed nearly 69 percent of the passes thrown his way, and he still hasn’t picked off a pass in the NFL.
Still, the preseason offered a different picture.
For a Giants defense that finished in the bottom half of the league against the pass and ranked No. 24 in interceptions, a jump from Nubin would mean a lot. The team has been looking for real playmaking in the secondary for years, and the former second-round pick suddenly looks like a player who could supply it.
Maybe the level of preseason competition is part of it. Maybe Nubin is simply a better fit in Dennard Wilson’s system. Either way, the early returns are hard to ignore.
The 25-year-old was viewed by some as the best safety in his draft class, and after a couple seasons of uneven results, he’s starting to look like the player those evaluators believed he could be.
The Giants already know what they’re bringing up front with their pass rush. If Nubin turns into the anchor of a stronger secondary, the defense starts to feel much more complete. And if what he showed this preseason carries over, Big Blue may be ahead of schedule in building one of the better young defenses in football.
In Other News...
Giants Turn To Familiar Ravens Pipeline As Linebacker Need Grows
The Giants added a familiar face to their linebacker group this week, signing veteran Malik Harrison to the practice squad as they look for more help at the position. Harrison comes with a clear connection to the organizations new defensive leadership, having spent five seasons under John Harbaugh with the Ravens before a year in Pittsburgh, and the move gives New York a player who already knows the kind of system and expectations that come with that background.
For a Giants team trying to stabilize its depth, the timing matters. Harrison is expected to be in the mix quickly, but the signing also means the club has to clear room on a 17-player practice squad, adding a small roster decision to a bigger effort to patch up a thin spot on defense. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Still Have One Unsettled Roster Issue Before Week 1
Joe Schoen has made no secret of wanting more help inside, and the Giants are still treating defensive tackle as a spot that could use another look before Week 1. Over the past stretch, the team has brought in several defensive linemen for workouts, while also keeping options on the practice squad, a sign the front office is still sorting through ways to add depth to the middle of the defense.
For a roster that is otherwise trying to get through the final week of preparation, it is one of the last lingering questions on the table. No trade or signing has surfaced yet, but the Giants interest in upgrading that group has not gone away, and the timing suggests the search could continue right up to the opener. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Part Of A Powerful Week 1 9 11 Tribute
The league is marking Week 1 with a wide-ranging tribute to the victims and heroes of the September 11 attacks, and the Giants will be part of it in ways that reach beyond the field. Across stadiums and broadcasts, the NFL is planning moments of remembrance and community-focused efforts, while the Giants and Jets will wear commemorative hats and T-shirts honoring first responders.
The local piece of the gesture is especially pointed in New York, where the Giants, Jets and Washington Commanders are set to donate $1 million to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The NFL Foundation is also contributing $250,000 to 9/11 Day, adding another layer to a league-wide acknowledgment that is designed to be felt in the stadium, on the air and in the communities those games represent. [Read more 🡒]