New York Giants Bonus Camp Report: The "Who's That?" Edition

When these guys were signed by the Giants, they had some fans asking "Who's that?" Well, if these relatively unknown players continue making noise in Giants training camp, pretty soon they'll go from being "Who?" to "Wow!"

Who's that?

The question is asked every year by fans when an unfamiliar name is added to their favorite football team. While often lesser-known players end up being camp fodder, there is also a fair amount who, by the end of summer, use their natural skill and talents to where people no longer have to wonder, "Who's that?"

Such has been the case with the Giants, who this summer have several players who fell into that "who's that?" category. However, through their hard work and determination, they have begun to get their name out there.

Who's that? Here are a few guys.

Giants.com

DB Dravon Askew-Henry: Askew-henry, a cousin by marriage of future Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis, made the jump from the now-defunct XFL to the NFL.

He played for the New York Guardians, coached by one-time Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.

In four games, his only significant pro experience since going undrafted out of the University of West Virginia, Askew-Henry racked up 12 tackles (10 solo) and six pass breakups.

During Friday's scrimmage, Askew-Henry committed a mental mistake that resulted in him receiving a penalty lap from head coach Joe Judge. But once he completed that, Askew-Henry turned in some solid play, which included two pass breakups of an Alex Tanney pass intended for receiver Tony Brown.

WR David Sills V: Sills' size (6-3, 211 pounds) screams X receiver, but there's just something about him that makes one wonder if he might be a better fit for the slot where he'd almost certainly have a height advantage.

He showed that advantage when he easily beat slot cornerback Grant Haley by a wide margin for his only touchdown reception in Friday's scrimmage.

When he was in seventh grade, Sills planned to play college ball as a quarterback at USC. However, he changed his mind and signed with West Virginia, where he converted to receiver.

With teams looking to replicate the Saints' success with Gadget man Taysom Hill, it might be worth seeing if Sills has anything he can contribute the Giants offense from his days at quarterback.

CB Montre Hartage: Hartage initially broke into the NFL as a member of the Dolphins last year, where his defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, deployed him in a variety of ways, including safety and cornerback.

The former Northwestern defender finished his collegiate career with 172 total tackles, ten interceptions, and 39 passes defended. He earned First Team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten player honors.

Hartage's familiarity with Graham's schemes and his versatility could end up being just what the Giants defense needs. He brings size at 6-0 and 200 pounds, and he has the quickness to keep up with receivers and tight ends.

Although he wasn't called upon much by Grham last year, that was likely due to him going through a position change. Now another year into his NFL development, Hartage, who also has special teams experience, could be a candidate for the Giants' dime package.

RB Javon Leake: The Giants have several undrafted free agents who are intriguing, but perhaps none more so than this former Maryland product. Leake came to the Giants with a reputation as being a solid kickoff return specialist. Still, thus far in camp, he's impressed as a running back with his vision, change of direction ability, and decision making.

If Leake is in competition with Wayne Gallman for a roster spot, he could cinch it early if he proves to be as effective as a return specialist in the pros as he was in college.

LB Devante Downs: Downs is entering his third NFL season and his first full time with the Giants, who picked him up last year when the Vikings gave up on their seventh-round pick.

Downs suffered a knee injury in his final year of college, so it's possible he might not have been completely healthy as an NFL rookie.

These days he sure does look like he's good to go as he finds himself right in the heart of challenging for a starting job as the inside linebacker alongside Blake Martinez.

WR Alex Bachman: Bachman, who initially got his start with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest in 2018, joined the Giants practice squad last year.

Standing 6-0 and 190 pounds, Bachman is a competitor. He's not afraid to mix it up with a defensive back who dares to get in the way of him making a catch, as he did during Friday's scrimmage and other practices last week.

And you'll never catch Bachman dogging it. When the team runs its sprints at the end of practice, Bachman is the guy who looks to lead the pack by going full blast.

But let's talk about him as a receiver. Bachman has good body control, and his routes are mostly crisp. With only seven dropped balls in college, he has laser-like concentration and isn't afraid to take a hit.

In some ways, Bachman reminds me of Phil McConkey, an undrafted free agent out of Navy who played on the Giants 1986 Super Bowl team. McConkey, their punt returner and a reserve receiver, wasn't overly gifted as a receiver, but he more than made up for any deficiencies he had with sheer determination and guts.

“He’s productive in drills, he’s productive in team periods," head coach Joe Judge said of Bachman, adding, "It’s no surprise to see him making plays.”

CB Jarren Williams: The 5'10, 188-pound Williams played his college ball at the University of Albany where as a senior, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 46 tackles (34 solo) and three tackles for loss as well as one forced fumble and interception on the season. 

Williams, on a first glance, doesn't look very big, but the young man sticks to receivers like glue and has the requisite speed to keep up with them on deep routes. He's also not afraid to hit and get physical with anyone entering his turf on the football field. 

The Giants, once boasting a crowded cornerback room, could use some young reinforcement at cornerback, and so far, Williams has turned a few heads early on in the final phase of camp.

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