Can Dalen Cambre be the next great special teams-first NFL player?

Cambre is listed as a wide receiver, but the undrafted rookie is on the roster for a different reason

Dalen Cambre is probably the biggest underdog on the New York Giants’ 90-man roster.

Cambre is a 6-foot, 192-pound undrafted free agent who caught 10 passes in a five-year collegiate career with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

How did Cambre land a chance with an NFL team with stats like that?

Well, it’s because he is a tremendous special teams player, having earned first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus and second-team from College Football Network.

Cambre had nine special teams tackles in 2024 and was the team’s holder for placekicks. He made 17 tackles over the past three seasons. Cambre blocked two punts and returned a fumble for a touchdown during his time at Louisiana.

Cambre put up outstanding numbers in his Pro Day, including a 4.43 40-yard dash.

Can Cambre follow in the footsteps of Steve Tasker, who didn’t catch a pass his final two collegiate seasons at Northwestern but made seven Pro Bowls during a 14-year career as a special teamer, or Nate Ebner, a rugby player growing up who had a 10-year career as a standout special teamer? Even Gunner Olszewski, who returned punts for the Giants in 2023, was a collegiate cornerback at tiny Bemidji State who found his way to the NFL as a return man/wide receiver.

Right now, it is hard to tell. Cambre has shown quickness and reliable hands as a receiver during spring practices, but until we get into preseason games it is going to be impossible to see if his collegiate special teams success will translate to the NFL.

There will be intense competition for the final one or two wide receiver roster spots this summer, and special teams can be a deciding factor. Most likely, though, landing on the practice squad would be a great outcome for Cambre.