Giants Rookie Minicamp Day 2: Takeaways and Notables
The New York Giants wrapped up their two days of on-field work for their rookies, undrafted free agents, and tryout players with another light practice focused primarily on technique work.
The players will have a half-day meeting tomorrow morning before being excused. They will then be eligible to join the team again (assuming their respective college semesters are done) on May 15.
Let’s run down some of the highlights and news of the day.
Keeping them Fresh
Head coach Brian Daboll was asked why some of the draft picks, like receiver Jalin Hyatt and cornerback Deonte Banks, were held out of the seven-on-seven drills, and as it turns out, he had a very good reason that was NOT related to any injury concerns.
“Yeah, they've been on the road quite a bit. Had a lot of visits,” Daboll said before the practice. “Again, one of the main things is just to come out of here healthy, let them figure out how we do some things, where some things are, and then get a look at some of the tryout guys, as well. They'll have plenty of time to get a lot of reps here over the next few weeks.”
This is nothing new for Daboll and his staff, who use the two-and-a-half-day minicamp to help the rookies get acclimated to how things are done and how to find their way around the team’s headquarters.
Another One Signs
Defensive tackle Jordon Riley, one of the team’s two seventh-round picks, signed his rookie deal, joining running back Eric Gray (Round 5), cornerback Tre Hawkins III (Round 6), and safety Gervarrius Owens (Round 7) as the draft picks who have signed their rookie deals.
Per Over the Cap, Riley’s four-year deal is worth an estimated $3.923 million, including an $83,036 signing bonus. He will have a 2023 cap number of $770,759.
Speaking of Cap Space
The Giants, who were ranked dead last in total and effective cap space as of yesterday, gained a little bit of breathing room following the release of Solomon Kindley. Over the Cap has the Giants listed with $1,574,351 in total space but still in the red ($965,035) in effective cap space.
That second figure reflects the anticipated rookie deals still to be signed by first-round pick Deonte Banks, second-round pick John Michael Schmitz, and third-rounder Jalin Hyatt.
The Giants will also gain about $6 million in cap space once Dexter Lawrence’s contract, which he signed Friday, is posted by the NFLPA.
Hyatt to Be in Mix for Punt Returner?
That’s what Daboll said could be in play for rookie third-round pick Jalin Hyatt, who didn’t return kickoffs or punts in college.
“We’ll put as many guys back there as we can to figure that one out,” Daboll said in response to a question about what the team is thinking to fill those roles. “It’s a ways away.”
Hyatt got some work in the minicamp fielding punts Saturday, but as Daboll said, any decision is still a ways off.
John Michael Schmitz’s Snapping Technique
New Giants center John Michael Schmitz deployed and found success with the dead ball snap in college but said he isn’t sure if he will continue to use it in the NFL.
Schmitz, who learned the technique from Minnesota Offensive Line Coach Brian Callahan, said control is a big advantage for using that technique for his shotgun snaps.
“Yeah, honestly, I felt it was a lot more controllable with that position, the dead snap,” he said. “Just felt comfortable, kind of just came natural when I kept doing it over and over again.”
As to whether he’d stick with it or try a more conventional type of shotgun snapping was to be determined.
“I mean, it's whatever is comfortable for Daniel in the back in the quarterback position,” Schmitz said. “I'm flexible doing the dead ball snap or the regular snap. Doesn't change a thing for me.”
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