Get to know your undrafted NY Giants: Dana Levine edition
Undrafted pass-rusher Dana Levine finds himself in the thick of a battle with many other talented players for a back-end roster spot with the NY Giants.
Dave Gettleman clearly had a plan when it came to how he would tackle the 2020 NFL Draft for the NY Giants.
Part of that plan was evaluating the overall weak pass-rushing class, and instead of likely wasting a premium pick on a player not deserving of one, he just took a bunch of late shots in the draft and signed multiple undrafted edge rushers.
One of those undrafted pass rushers that will be looking to make the NY Giants is Dana Levine out of Temple University. If Levine had more tape like he displayed in his senior year he very well may have ended up being drafted, but scouts and executives were likely gunshy due to only really seeing one solid season out of Levine.
The Florida native came up north to Temple as 64th-ranked weakside defensive end according to 24/7 sports and projects to be an outside linebacker/edge-rusher as he mostly was at Temple.
After playing a decent amount during his sophomore and junior years at Temple, his potential finally shined through in his senior year where he posted career-best numbers of 11 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks.
He’s got to fill out his 235-pound frame if he really wants to stick with the NY Giants, and in the NFL in general, but his speed and height make him an enticing prospect.
He was not what you would call a priority UDFA signing (an undrafted player that signed for a decent amount of money) for the NY Giants, so he’ll be a little behind the eight ball there.
However, Joe Judge says everyone will start on an even playing field so he can hope to distinguish himself come training camp next month.
What are his chances of sticking with the NY Giants?
Unfortunately for Dana Levine, he’ll have his hands full with competition not just for the prayer of making the 55-man roster, but even for the practice squad. The NY Giants used late-round picks on promising-looking pass rushers like Carter Coughlin and Cam Brown, so they’ll probably have a leg up on him.
He’ll also have to compete with quality UDFA players like Niko Lalos and Oluwole Betiku, so he has his work cut out for himself just to make the practice squad.
Next. 3 Giants that could be cap casualties after the preseason. dark
Hopefully, he’s been working hard to build out that frame this offseason, because he’s going to need to pack a punch if he wants to make the NY Giants in any capacity.
Chances he makes the 55-man roster: 5%
Chances he makes the practice squad: 25%