The New York Giants upgraded their wide receiver unit exponentially this off-season with the addition of Malik Nabers, who was drafted sixth overall. While the team tried to land quarterback Drake Maye in a trade-up with the New England Patriots, walking away with arguably the best playmaker in the draft class is certainly a fantastic consolation prize.
Giants’ Offseason Acquisitions and Wide Receiver Competition
While the wide receiver unit is certainly underrated and stacked with solid depth, one intriguing player who will be vying for a roster spot is Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who’s coming off an ACL tear.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton’s Battle Back from Injury
Ford-Wheaton is a former West Virginia standout, signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent last off-season. Unfortunately, he played just three preseason games before suffering an injury that would end his rookie campaign before it even got started.
Ford-Wheaton is coming off a season full of rehabilitation, but he still has tremendous athleticism and good size at the receiver position. During his final collegiate campaign, he recorded 675 yards and seven touchdowns with a 59% reception rate. His primary experience comes out wide, but the Giants were testing him in the slot as well last preseason before going down.
His speed gives him plenty of value as a depth piece, especially on special teams, if he can crack the punt unit as a gunner.
The Giants already have Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Isaiah Hodgins, so there’s not much room to spare in terms of depth. He may have to spend another season on the practice squad, waiting for an opportunity to arise or simply ousting one of their veteran players, like Isaiah McKenzie, who they signed this off-season to a one-year deal.
- Giants’ offense undergoing modernizing change with Daboll calling plays at camp
- Giants’ rookie safety not practicing at training camp due to calf injury
- The Giants might have a starting corner emerging from the pile
Ford-Wheaton signed a three-year, $2.715 million deal with the Giants last year, including $236K guaranteed. He will count $806K if he makes the active roster, essentially a minimum contract. However, the Giants could save $795K if they elect to cut him this off-season, which is enough to replace his roster spot with another drafted free agent or minimum deal.