Here's the full list of guarantees for the Giants' undrafted free agents, per source:
• WR Beaux Collins: $270K
• WR Da'Quan Felton: $264K
• WR Juice Wells: $259K
• OL Jaison Williams: $165K
• CB O'Donnell Fortune: $165K
• S Makari Paige: $165K
• TE Jermaine Terry: $65K
• OLB Trace Ford: $10K
• RB Rushawn Baker: $5K
• WR Jordan Bly: $5K
• WR Dalen Cambre: $0
• CB RJ Delancy: $5K (cut after rookie minicamp)
• S Tommy McCormick: $2.5K (cut after rookie camp)
There's an obvious divide, which gives an indication of the pecking order among the UDFAs. But even a big guarantee is relatively minor, so the $ won't be a factor in determining active roster spots. What big guarantees do indicate is who is earmarked for the practice squad (at least). The guaranteed salaries for Collins, Felton and Wells are all equivalent to a P-squad salary for the season.
https://x.com/DDuggan21/status/1925189434808418393
Rich that certainly gives an indication that WR was a priority. Also coincides with the interest in Gabe Davis.
Quote from: uconnjack8 on May 21, 2025, 01:19:00 PMRich that certainly gives an indication that WR was a priority. Also coincides with the interest in Gabe Davis.
Reading between the lines of the comments made by Schoen, it sounds like the Giants would like to sign Davis, but at this point in time, he is not fully healthy
no kicker. will Gano have to compete?
I know that I am in a minority here and he did not get a guarantee but I truly like Dalen Cambre from Louisiana Lafayette. Not as a WR but I think from what I have read he can be a tremendous special teams player. I believe he had the second most special teams tackles in college last year.
We still have the Irish kicker Jude McAtamney on the roster under the international player exemption. Our lack of interest in free agent and UDFA kickers so far suggests will be the initial competition for Gano. It is his second year with us so our ST coaches know him. He got snaps in the second Washington game last year kicking a FG and XP in his only attempts. I suspect it is only if he does not show much upside/improvement in camp that we will look at other free agents.
Quote from: President Rick on May 22, 2025, 11:28:50 AMno kicker. will Gano have to compete?
We already have a kicker competing.
Quote from: President Rick on May 22, 2025, 11:28:50 AMno kicker. will Gano have to compete?
Quote from: londonblue on May 22, 2025, 12:13:14 PMWe still have the Irish kicker Jude McAtamney on the roster under the international player exemption. Our lack of interest in free agent and UDFA kickers so far suggests will be the initial competition for Gano. It is his second year with us so our ST coaches know him. He got snaps in the second Washington game last year kicking a FG and XP in his only attempts. I suspect it is only if he does not show much upside/improvement in camp that we will look at other free agents.
Quote from: Jclayton92 on May 22, 2025, 12:44:13 PMWe already have a kicker competing.
I really hope NYG views McAtamney as legitimate competition for Gano. Gano is the 5th highest paid kicker at $5.5 million per year, and he has missed games the last two seasons, as well as having poor successful kick percentages.
The list certainly shows the Giant's priorities in players. I imagine these guys were thoroughly vetted (or at least analyzed heavily) during the pre-draft period as potential late round picks if other higher rated players were already taken. I like CB O'Donnell Fortune a lot, and I'm glad they are looking to groom CBs of the future and deepening the bench. All are interesting to me, but I'm quite curious about Jaison Williams, a big RT out of a smaller school. He was paid like the Giants really like him. He certainly has size, but he also seems like a project for down the road :-??
https://ysusports.com/news/2025/5/12/football-jaison-williams-signs-with-new-york-giants.aspx
Summary of O'Donnell Fortune CB-South Carolina/played alongside Nick Emmanwori (one of the top safeties in the draft - went 2nd rd to Seattle)
Scouting Report: Summary
"The tape shows a corner custom-built for the modern NFL's emphasis on pattern-match coverage. Fortune's anticipation jumps off the screen - watch him bait quarterbacks by showing soft coverage before closing explosive gaps to make plays on the ball. His background as a safety bleeds into his cornerback play, particularly in quarters coverage where his spatial awareness and route recognition skills create turnover opportunities. That versatility showed up repeatedly against Alabama, where he seamlessly transitioned between man and zone responsibilities while recording nine tackles and an interception against elite competition.
Put Fortune in a Seattle-style coverage system and watch him thrive. His length, football IQ, and natural feel for zone coverage scream Cover 3 cornerback, but he's more than just a deep-third defender. The film reveals a defensive back who excels at pattern-matching from press alignment, using his length to disrupt releases before smoothly transitioning to match vertical routes. His Shrine Bowl domination wasn't surprising - it simply confirmed what dozens of game tapes had already shown about his ability to mirror receivers and close on the football.
After studying over 500 snaps of Fortune's 2024 tape, I'm convinced he's being severely undervalued. The athletic testing numbers don't tell the full story - this is a corner who consistently shows up in big moments and makes plays that alter games. His ceiling in a pattern-match heavy scheme is that of a high-end CB2 who can match up with X receivers while providing plus zone coverage ability"
With that scouting description/tape how did Fortune last to UFA? A fall through the cracks. Did Schoen rub a rabbit's foot? Or is everyone a Pro Bowler this time of year?
Quote from: files58 on May 22, 2025, 01:53:17 PMWith that scouting description/tape how did Fortune last to UFA? A fall through the cracks. Did Schoen rub a rabbit's foot? Or is everyone a Pro Bowler this time of year?
I think that this year, the draft was overloaded (not QBs) thanks to missed years and additional years added after COVID. There are a lot of UDFAs this year that would've been drafted in pretty much any other year...especially RBs, WRs, DL, etc
So it's likely he simply fell through the cracks. Also, he's a very physical player who is quick left and right, but lacks vertical speed to cover WR's who run like a scared rabbit. He slows down those kinds of receivers at the scrimmage line with brute force. He ran his 40 in the mid-late 4.5s as he doesn't have instant acceleration, but has long speed once he gets going. Some analysts say that he fell in the rankings because of that. But he makes up for his lack of quick acceleration by out thinking his opponent. He's an old style football player and has the mindset and I.Q. of a real football player...not a prima donna covered with bling