Giants Crowded Tight End Room Highlights Camp Battles
Come July 29th, training camp competitions will heat up for the New York Football Giants. There’s no denying that battles will be at an all-time high at the linebacker, safety, and running back positions. Let us not forget, though, about the overflow of talent the Giants currently have at tight end. With only three to four roster spots available, six players hope to impress the coaching staff enough to land a spot on the final 53-man roster.
New head coach Ben McAdoo, who served six of his eight seasons in Green Bay as the Packers’ tight ends coach, is not backing away on his usage of the position. And McAdoo’s new offensive coordinator, Mike Sullivan, knows that this young crop of tight ends will be put to the test. “You know, [the tight ends] have got the world on their shoulders there with what we’re trying to do schematically,” Sullivan said recently.
So who are the likely contributors come opening day against Dallas?
The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Daniel Fells’ health, and the Giants’ decision to cut Jerome Cunningham from last year’s roster, leaves only three returnees in Larry Donnell, Will Tye, and Matt LaCosse. LaCosse, who was promoted from the practice squad for the final two games of the 2015 season, apparently made big strides in off season OTA’s.
The off season acquisitions of free agent FB/TE Will Johnson, undrafted free agent Ryan Malleck, and sixth-round pick, Jerell Adams, add needed depth at the position, but they also make for a crowded tight end room.
While prone to dropping passes, assumed number one tight end Larry Donnell emerged as a threat in the passing game the past two seasons, before suffering a serious neck injury; an injury that ended his season and required surgery. Concerns about Donnell’s health moving forward, make his roster spot less of a sure thing than last season.
In Donnell’s absence, undrafted free agent, Will Tye (Stony Brook) stepped up to lead all NFL rookie tight ends in receptions (42) and receiving yards (464). Look for Tye to continue his progress going into his second season.
As an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, Matt LaCosse, caught three passes during the final two games of last season. The Giants were very high on him going into last season, and LaCosse has continued his efforts with reports of a great spring. LaCosse’s combination of blocking and receiving skills make him very useful for the Giants.
According to John Schmeelk of Giants.com, another undrafted rookie, Ryan Malleck (Virginia Tech), turned some heads this spring. Malleck may not be a deep ball threat, but he could force his way onto the roster if he continues to impress.
“Malleck earned more snaps late in OTA’s and minicamp…showed good enough hands in the spring, and his body indicates he could be a good blocker on the edge.”
Sixth-round draft pick, Jerell Adams, comes into training camp rated as a better blocker than receiver at this point. Although he was South Carolina’s second leading receiver last season, the Giants seem to believe that Adams may need time to develop as a dual-threat tight end.
What does work in favor of Adams is the fact that last year’s duo of Tye and Donnell have not distinguished themselves as solid blockers, so they are seen as receiving tight ends. For this reason, Adams may be better positioned to make the final 53.
Considering injuries, performance, strengths, and weaknesses, tight ends coach Kevin M. Gilbride and Sullivan, appear to have plenty of talented candidates to sort through this summer.