The New York Giants rebuilt their offense this offseason, but they left a glaring weakness. The tight end position was dismantled. Last season’s starter Evan Engram departed in free agency. The two tight ends behind Engram, Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith, were released. There is no clear-cut starting tight end currently on the Giants roster. A couple of veterans could compete for the job, but rookie Daniel Bellinger should be the starter in 2022.
Why Daniel Bellinger should be the Giants’ starting tight end
The New York Giants drafted tight end Daniel Bellinger with the 112th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The fourth-round selection has a chance to start on the Giants’ depth chart. Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Akins are the two veterans with which Bellinger will be competing. Seals-Jones and Akins may beat Bellinger with experience, however, the Giants would be wise to bet on Bellinger’s potential.
Daniel Bellinger is as sure-handed as they come and appears to be a perfect fit in Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka’s offensive scheme. Bellinger was utilized a lot on screens and short passes during his collegiate career. Over in Kansas City, Mike Kafka and the Chiefs turned Travis Kelce into one of the NFL’s best tight ends using him in a similar fashion to the way San Diego State used Daniel Bellinger.
Bellinger averaged 14.5 yards after the catch per reception, ranking first of the tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class (PFF). Daniel Bellinger is also a willing blocker and a secure catcher. He did not drop a single pass in the 2021 season to go along with a 4.2% drop rate for his entire collegiate career.
Bellinger measures in at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, and moves quickly with the ball in his hands. Bellinger racked up 31 receptions for 357 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2021. Brian Daboll’s offense in Buffalo maximized the potential of a mid-round tight end in Dawson Knox. Maybe Daboll can have a similar effect on Daniel Bellinger’s development.