New York Giants fill out remaining roster spots after minicamp

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General Manager Dave Gettleman said he would be patient in filling out his 90 man roster, but clearly saw something in these three guys over the initial three day rookie minicamp.

Heading into this weekends three day rookie minicamp, it appeared as though the New York Giants had approximately two spots left on their 90 man roster. After drafting ten players, and adding twelve undrafted free agents, competition was going to be arduous for any player hoping for a shot at making it to real minicamp.

Three guys did just that; Punter Ryan Anderson, Defensive End Alex Jenkins, and Defensive Back Tenny Adewusi. Adewusi is the only one of the three that is actually an NFL rookie, as Anderson and Jenkins both spent time in NFL camps last summer, with Jenkins actually spending two seasons as part of the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

Lets take a look at what Big Blue is getting in the newcomers.

DB Tenny Adewusi

After four mainly uninspiring years as a Delaware Blue Hen, Tenny Adewusi apparently showed enough of his size and athleticism to warrant a further look. Noted as a weight lifting addict, the Nigerian had an impressive pro day where he logged 16 reps on the bench and ran a 4.47 40. At 6’0, 200 pounds, the former New Jersey High School star possesses all the physical traits to succeed at the next level.

It’s worth noting that Adewusi was a High School Quarterback, making the switch to Defensive Back at the advice of Delaware’s coaching staff. An electric runner and thrower in High School, his ball skills should be better than most.

The clear reason for Adewusi being undrafted was his lack of production in college. It took the former QB much longer to learn how to play defense than anticipated. With only two career interceptions, and less than twenty pass breakups in four years, there just wasn’t much production to match up with the athletic ability. Hopefully the Giants’ coaching staff can coax out some of that untapped potential.

P Ryan Anderson

With Riley Dixon seemingly having a stronghold on the punter position, this appears to be nothing more than a signing to foster a little healthy competition. Nothing against Anderson, but Dixon has been solid in his three years as a pro, averaging at least 45/40 (total/net) yards with at least twenty punts inside the 20 yard line each year.

Like Alex Jenkins, Anderson is not actually a rookie. The former first team All Big Ten punter bounced around between New England and Jacksonville’s camps last year. He does have a connection to New Jersey, as he earned that Big Ten All Conference bid during his lone season playing for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. He played his first three collegiate years at Division III Olivet College.

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The signing could end up being important down the road if something ever happens to Dixon, as teams usually feel more comfortable going with a kicker/punter that has some level of familiarity with the unit. Anderson did show off a big leg in his one year at Rutgers, and if Bill Belichick is interested in someone in any capacity, it’s usually a decent sign.

DE Alex Jenkins

The last of the three new additions, Alex Jenkins, feels as though to have the strongest shot of potentially making the team or the practice squad. Born in England, Jenkins luckily qualified to participate in the NFL’s initial roll out of the International Player Pathway Program in 2017. The Saints took advantage of the awarded extra practice spot and kept Jenkins around in 2017, and then in 2018 due to an extension of the pilot program.

Standing 6’6 and weighing in at 270 pounds, the former second team All Southland Conference player has the prototypical size you’d like to see in a 3-4 defensive end. Despite never registering more than 3.5 sacks at the University of Incarnate Word, Jenkins flashed as a solid run defender, racking up a bunch of tackles for loss. The Englishmen even added a few blocked kicks, which could prove valuable as he will inevitably look to prove his special teams worth.

His two years on an NFL practice squad should give him a considerable edge over his counterparts in training camp. The Giants are clearly lacking at the defensive end position, and in the pass rush department overall. If Jenkins can show any kind of prowess at getting after the QB, he could also have a legitimate chance to make it deep into the summer.