Giants Draft Review, Pt.3: The UDFA's

Let's start with a proviso, and it is this: no matter who we talk about now, there will be an absolute revolving door of undrafted names between now and the season, so let's not count too heavily on the current ones.

That said, while it is best to draft by taking the BPA, both UFA and UDFA are the times to shop for NEED. And the Giants seem to have done with the 16 or more players they have signed or invited for tryouts at the May 11 rookie mini camp.

Two of their most interesting signings were USC's LT, Chad Wheeler and Tennessee State's G Jessimen Wheeler.

Chad Wheeler is a guy with gifted hands and feet, but may not ever have taken football that seriously.   Still, but for a myriad of family and personal problems, he would have been drafted and some even thought he was the #2 OT available in this draft. His lais a fair attitude also showed insufficient testing at the combine. So what we have here, is a natural tackle who needs a year or so in an NFL weight room. He'll let us know if he's worth stashing.

Jessimen Wheeler is a freakishly athletic OG.  He's naturally huge and talented, and at his best will remind you of Larry Allen. And then he'll remind you of every bust you've ever seen.  As with Wheeler, it will be all about reaching him and his accepting the coaching, but he's a guy who does seem to want it, so he might be worth hanging onto and trying to turn the key.  The upside here it pretty big.

They've also signed Fullback Shane Smith from SDSU.  Without a real FB on the roster other than the combo TE's, this strong, and explosive kid is a possibility for a roster spot, if the numbers work.

And speaking of TE's they also got Temple's Colin Thompson, a 260 pound two way TE who might be able to push the other guys.  He was originally at Florida but had a recurrent foot injury that cost him his ride.  Temple stepped up and got a quality player, and perhaps so have the Giants.

Going back to the theme of big and inconsistent, the Giants also grabbed ND DT Jarron Jones.  This guy is a load and, if motivated, could easily be the 4th DT on the Giants.  They also grabbed DT Josh Banks for Wake Forrest, who seems like much more of a longshot.

Jadar Johnson from Clemson has some nice tape and had 5 ints this past season as a Safety in the ACC.  Seems like he should be better, but could be a latter day Percy Ellsworth as the third or fourth safety.

The Giants didn't grab any CB's during the CB loaded draft, but just today, it was learned that they've signed DeShaun Amos an athletic CB out of East Carolina.  He's like the baseline model running a 4.5 40 and backing it up with a 7 even 3 cone.  CB position is one where we've done pretty well in UDFA, and last year's signing Donte Deayon could still make some noise.  They also signed CB Nigel Tribune for Iowa State.

They added the QB from Auburn, but he's probably just there to lighten Webb's load during the camp.

LB Calvin Munson from SDSU is athletically limited but had some sacks.

They also grabbed some WR's, but they're probably just camp targets, though Travis Rudolph from Florida has production and a story, and WR Jalen Williams is a WR from Massachusetts and the best UDFA the Giants signed over the last 15 years was a UDFA WR from Massachusetts named Victor Cruz.

Some of these names will change, but there are some interesting talents, particularly at OL, DL, FB and S. So, it looks like a strong class for the Giants.