Abdul Carter, Jaxson Dart and other rookies take the field for the first time
The New York Giants 2025 draft class, undrafted free agents and rookie tryout players take the field for two days of rookie mini-camp Friday and Saturday. Here are five things to watch.
Jaxson Dart’s every move
Dart is a Round 1 quarterback, and the hopeful future face of the franchise. Every move he makes over the two days of rookie mini-camp is going to be noted, charted, tweeted, and written about.
What time does he step on the field? How many passes does he throw? How many does he complete? Does he get any passes intercepted? Does he look like he has a clue? Can he walk and chew gum at the same time?
I won’t be surprised if somebody asks him what time he brushed his teeth on Friday morning. And, no, I won’t be that guy.
Where is Abdul Carter playing?
Truth is, the Giants will probably use Carter as a standup edge defender, as a wide nine pass rushing defensive end, and at times as an off-ball linebacker. We will see how they start him out.
Maybe more interestingly, we will find out what number he is wearing.
Which of the 6 UDFA wide receivers stands out?
There are 14 reported, though not confirmed, undrafted free agents who have been signed by the Giants. We won’t know exactly who has been signed and who is trying out until we are provided with a mini-camp roster on Friday morning.
Still, from what we know nearly half of the contingent of signed players are wide receivers. Will anyone make a mark over the two days and put himself in position to make a real roster bid later this summer?
- New York Giants UDFAs: Dalen Cambre, WR/ST, Louisiana
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know Nate McCollum, WR, North Carolina
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know Beaux Collins, WR, Notre Dame
- Giants UDFAs: Get to know Da’Quan Felton, WR, Virginia Tech
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., WR, Ole Miss
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know Jordan Bly, WR, Gardner-Webb
Which other undrafted rookie free agents stand out?
There are always a few undrafted players who make the roster or land on the practice squad. Emory Hunt gave us some of his favorites during a recent appearance on the ‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast.
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know Tommy McCormick, DB, Idaho
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know RJ Delancy III, CB, Wisconsin
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know Trace Ford, LB/EDGE, Oklahoma
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know Rushawn Baker, RB, Elon
- Giants UDFAs: Get to know Makari Paige, S, Michigan
- Giants UDFAs: Get to know Jaison Williams, OT, Youngstown State
- Giants UDFAs: Get to know O’Donnell Fortune, CB, South Carolina
- New York Giants UDFAs: Get to know TE Jermaine Terry II
Do any tryout players stand out?
Tryout players are dreamers not ready to have the doors of the NFL officially slammed in their faces. Most of them, truthfully, have no chance and are just there because a team needs a certain number of players to run a real practice for the draft picks and undrafted free agents.
There are always, though, exceptions.
A year ago, defensive tackle Elijah Chatman took advantage of his tryout to earn a contract on the 90-man roster. He ended up playing in all 17 games, starting three, and becoming a fan favorite.
Chatman spent the two days of tryout last season showing off as much physicality as one can in shorts and t-shirts, knocking players holding blocking pads backwards again. and again during drills.
Will there be anyone this year whose play simply demands that they be given a full opportunity?
