Ereck Flowers and Landon Collins made history when they first took the field as rookies this season, and they haven't looked back.
As the Giants head into their bye week leading the NFC East, the left tackle and safety recently landed on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s Midseason All-Rookie Team.
Flowers and Collins became the first tandem of first- and second-round draft choices to start for the Giants in the season opener since wide receiver Ike Hilliard and running back Tiki Barber did so in 1997. Flowers was also the first rookie to start at left tackle since William Roberts in 1984.
Since then, the Miami product has started nine games in place of Will Beatty, who is out for the season with a pectoral injury, and is blocking for the No. 4 scoring team (27.3 points per game) and No. 10 passing offense (261.9 yards per game).
"Flowers is a big, tough kid, and is learning the game," general manager Jerry Reese said before the break. "We think he's going to be a good left tackle for a long time for us. He's got some technique flaws that he needs to clean up and he works hard at it."
Meanwhile, Collins leads the team with 61 tackles and is tied with cornerback Prince Amukamara and fellow safety Brandon Meriweather for first in the secondary with seven passes defended. He also recorded his first career interception in Week 6 against Philadelphia.
"Right now, he's moving along slowly," safeties coach David Merritt said. "The game is fast mentally for him still, hopefully he can continue to progress, and move toward the player that we all know that we have in him. You hit that little, whatever you call it, rookie wall or whatever it may be. I don't see him doing that, but at the same time having a new scheme and trying to make sure every week there's a little tweak here and there, he has to be able to pick those things up. Recall is very big in the NFL, you have to recall something that you may have done two or three weeks ago, and all of a sudden we put it in on the sideline, you have to be able to go in and perform."
Kiper's All-Rookie Team (Midseason Edition)
Offense
Quarterback: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers)
Running backs: Todd Gurley (Rams) and T.J. Yeldon (Jaguars)
Fullback: Jalston Fowler (Titans)
Wide receivers: Amari Cooper (Raiders), Stefon Diggs (Vikings), Jamison Crowder (Redskins)
Tight end: Clive Walford (Raiders)
Offensive tackles: Ereck Flowers (Giants) and Rob Havenstein (Rams)
Guards: Ali Marpet (Buccaneers) and Brandon Scherff (Redskins)
Center: David Andrews (Patriots)
Defense
Defensive ends: Leonard Williams (Jets) and Henry Anderson (Colts)
Defensive tackles: Eddie Goldman (Bears) and David Parry (Colts)
Outside linebackers: Hau'oli Kikaha (Saints) and Preston Smith (Redskins)
Inside linebackers: Jordan Hicks (Eagles) and Eric Kendricks (Vikings)
Cornerbacks: Ronald Darby (Bills) and Damarious Randall (Packers)
Safeties: Adrian Amos (Bears) and Landon Collins (Giants)
Special teams
Kicker: Josh Lambo (Chargers)
Punter: Bradley Pinion (49ers)
Punt returner: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
Kick returner: Ameer Abdullah (Lions)
