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Dru Phillips doesn’t back down.
Not from opposing receivers, regardless of their pedigree.
Not from the major role the Giants are likely to thrust on his shoulders.
Not from any fights.
The Giants’ third-round pick out of Kentucky (No. 70 overall), Phillips, 22, is set to be the youngest starter on defense.
He could be the only rookie starter on defense, though second-round pick Tyler Nubin, 23, has been trending toward winning the strong safety job.
Phillips has received the bulk of the first-team reps at nickel cornerback when he’s been healthy throughout what has been a strong training camp and preseason for him.
“No,” Phillips told The Post when asked Thursday if he feels the weight of that responsibility, “because the thing about it is, you’re gonna have error. You can’t go out there expecting to be perfect. For me, I push to try to be as perfect as possible. I don’t think about it as like taking on this big role. It’s a privilege. When I go out there every day, I’m just trying to do what I can do to help this team out.”
Phillips injured his ankle last week and missed some time and the Giants’ 28-10 preseason loss to the Texans, but he was back in team drills by the end of this week. In the Giants’ first preseason game, a 14-3 win over the Lions, Phillips recorded a tackle for loss.
Though head coach Brian Daboll is expected to rest most of his established starters for the team’s final preseason game against the Jets on Saturday, Phillips is one of the youngsters who could see action.
Listed at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Phillips’ tenacity and physicality is what most stands out about his game. It’s also what has excited team brass.
During joint practices with the Lions two weeks ago ahead of the preseason opener, Phillips spent time covering and went right at Detroit’s stud receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was named to the All-Pro First Team last year.
The two eventually sparked a brawl, as Phillips retaliated after St. Brown shoved Giants safety Dane Belton.
“Look at our rookie Dru Phillips and him matching up with Amon-Ra St. Brown. He didn’t flinch,” assistant general manager Brandon Brown said Tuesday. “I think the toughness, the quiet toughness that Dru has, and his ability to be sticky in the nickel, him getting really good work every day, going against [Giants wide receiver and ex-Kentucky teammate] Wan’Dale [Robinson], and matching that twitch at the top of routes. Seeing a savvy, polished route runner like Amon-Ra and not flinching and being able to match up for two consecutive days. It was really good to see.”
Phillips’ youth represents a theme across the Giants’ secondary, particularly the cornerback group.
The unit remains the Giants’ biggest question mark — and gamble — entering the season.
They let Adoree’ Jackson walk in free agency, and didn’t sign any proven veterans to replace him. Phillips has been by far the most prominent addition the Giants have made at cornerback.
Deonte Banks, last year’s first-round pick, elevates to the top cornerback spot.
Cor’Dale Flott, entering his third year after the Giants drafted him in the third round, entered camp as the expected second cornerback, but a rough summer and quad injury has opened the door for Nick McCloud — formerly undrafted and entering his fourth year — to compete for the job.
If Nubin doesn’t start at strong safety, it would be former fourth-round pick Belton, who is entering his third year. He’s only started seven games.
And Jason Pinnock, who is in line to start at free safety, is entering his fourth year. Last year was his first as a true starter, however.
So, not a whole lot of known commodities in the secondary.
“We may be young, we all know we are young, but the amount of skill and potential and talent in that room, everybody knows it and can see it,” Phillips said. “We’re all each trying to achieve the same goals. When we go to work every day, we know we’re young and inexperienced, but asking the older guys, the vets, every day for ways for them to help us out. We’re all growing and learning together.”
For his own part, Phillips has gotten off to an impressive start in representing the youth movement.
But he has no plans of complacency.
“Each day I go in here and I go like it’s my last day in the building,” Phillips said. “I come here and just work every day. I feel like I’m still not where I need to be, where I personally want to be. The work you put in is what you’re gonna get out.”
