First-round picks are supposed to hit, and when they do not it should be news.
Second-round picks are expected to hit, and when they do not it is noteworthy.
Third-round picks? Yeah, it is nice if they work out. After that, it is not exactly random success or failure, but any big contribution from players taken on Day 3 of the NFL draft is something of a bonus.
The Giants have tried all sorts of ways to fortify their cornerback room.
Most recently, they selected Andru Phillips in the third round last Friday night — not so early that he must be a smash hit and not so late that anything he offers as a rookie will be a luxury.
It is around this spot, at this position, where the Giants have too often swung and missed, which is why their depth at corner is so suspect.
A year ago, they took Deonte Banks in the first round, and after one season, so far, so good.
Tre Hawkins was another 2023 pick in the sixth round, and he gained traction as a starter after a strong summer then became an afterthought.
In 2022, it was Cor’Dale Flott in the third round, and he has been a sometimes starter with plenty to prove.
In 2021, a third-round pick was used on Aaron Robinson, and he has been a zero, unable to stay healthy.
In 2020, it was Darnay Holmes in the fourth round, and he is mostly a special teamer and an at-times nickel corner who was re-signed this offseason.
The less said about DeAndre Baker (first round, 2019), the better.
This leaves the Giants with Banks, Flott, Holmes, Hawkins and Nick McCloud as roster returnees, as there was no one signed from the outside in free agency.
“They are ballers,’’ Phillips said. “I’m coming into a room with guys that are established, and they know what they are doing. They are so good. I’m just going to try to take a backseat and learn from them for a lot of things. They have been high picks or established in the league. I’m going to take tips, but I’m excited to join a room like this.’’
As the newest hopeful, Phillips has a clear path to playing time, if he can do what so many other cornerbacks before him were not able to do: Get on the field and stay on the field.
Banks returns to start at one of the outside corner spots. Phillips will have a shot to work his way in with the starting group, either on the outside or in the slot.
“He can play both,’’ general manager Joe Schoen said. “He’s got the versatility to play inside and outside. But we have options because Flott can play inside and outside as well. If he goes inside Flott can go outside, or vice-versa. The versatility is also attractive for all these guys with the new defense.’’
Schoen said he expects Phillips will at first get the majority of his practice reps in the slot, but he is leaving that to the coaching staff.
“We just drafted this young man,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. “So, we’ll figure all that stuff out when we get into practice. We’ll be able to play both those guys at different spots and see how it all unfolds.’’
Phillips is in many ways more of a “traits’’ pick than a production pick. He did not have a single interception in four seasons — 16 career starts — at Kentucky, and his size (5-foot-11, 190 pounds ) and speed (4.48) are good but not special.
His stock rose after a superb showing at the Senior Bowl, an event the Giants not only attend every year but send their entire coaching staff to monitor.
Phillips did a solid job in drills against receivers Ladd McConkey (second round to the Chargers) and Johnny Wilson (sixth round to the Eagles).
He also tested quite well, with a vertical jump of 42 inches and a broad jump of 11 feet, 3 inches — both ranking in the 99th percentile.
“I feel like I can bring — I’m a competitive player. I want to win down there at that defensive position, whether that’s corner or slot,’’ Phillips said. “And I bring a versatility to the game and a different type of aggression I feel like every defense needs. But also at the same time, I bring that will to win. I want to come in here and help any way I can.’’
