1 undrafted free agent who will make Giants’ 2024 roster

The New York Giants hoped to make a big splash on Draft Day when they tried to engage the New England Patriots in a trade that would have given them the No. 3 pick in the first round. The Giants were joined by the Minnesota Vikings, who also wanted the No. 3 pick. In the end, Patriots executive Eliot Wolf decided to hold onto the pick and select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.

It seems quite likely that the Giants and the Vikings both had designs on the Tar Heels quarterback as well. Instead, the Giants used their first-round pick — No. 6 overall — on LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers. They followed with a second-round choice of Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin.

The Giants signed running back Devin Singletary in free agency and traded for linebacker Brian Burns in the offseason. However, running back Saquon Barkley left the franchise and signed with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles. If Barkley can stay healthy while playing with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, he is likely to be in a position to hurt the Giants twice a season for the foreseeable future.

Giants active with undrafted rookie free agents

While the Giants did not do much in the veteran free agent market to help the roster, they were quite active in bringing in 8 rookie free agents who are going to compete for positions on head coach Brian Daboll’s team.

There are a number of players that should make a deep run throughout training camp and have a chance to actually make the roster and gain playing time. Those players include defensive tackle Casey Rogers of Oregon, defensive end Ovi Oghoufo of LSU, offensive lineman Marcellus Johnson of Missouri and wide receiver John Jiles of West Florida.

However, the player with the best chance to have a positive outcome throughout the offseason and training camp is wide receiver Ayir Asante of Wyoming.

The Giants have a need for solid receivers to help out inconsistent quarterback Daniel Jones. Nabers should slot into a starting position this season, and retreads Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson could also position themselves as starters in a three-WR set. Jalin Hyatt, Allen Robinson and Isaiah Hodgins also figure to fight for playing time as well.

However, aside from Nabers, this group lacks star power, and that’s why Asante has a chance to overcome his undrafted status and become productive.

Asante played four seasons at Holy Cross before moving on to Wyoming last year. He is not a big man at 5-10 and 181 pounds, but he has the quickness to cause problems for opposing cornerbacks. He caught 21 passes for 372 yards and an eye-catching 6 touchdowns for the Cowboys last year.

Asante is a New Jersey native, and the Giants, Jets and Broncos were the three teams that paid him the most attention throughout the pre-draft process. He said that he gained quite a bit of knowledge in his discussions with those teams.

“It was taxing, but it was a lot of fun,” Asante said. “I thought it was important to get in those buildings and just see what those coaching staffs were like.”

Eventually, it was the Giants who paid him the most attention and wanted him more than the other teams.

It may turn out that signing with the Giants will be a mutually beneficial move for the team and the player. Asante can get open, beat opposing defensive backs with his quickness and make plays in the red zone. Those are characteristics that can help Asante make the Giants and give the team a lift at a position they could use quite a bit of help.