Everything considered, New York Giants rookie defensive tackle Bobby Jamison-Travis may have landed in the perfect spot.
The Giants used a sixth-round pick on Jamison-Travis, who spent the last three years at Auburn, in last month’s draft. That move came only days after the Giants traded All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals.
Barring injury, Jamison-Travis likely won’t start against the Cowboys in Week 1, not after the recent arrivals of D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris in free agency.
However, ESPN’s Field Yates is nonetheless optimistic, listing Jamison-Travis among the non-first-round picks he believes will provide an immediate impact.
“Jamison-Travis is powerful and stout, and he can hold his ground with great length and overall size,” Yates wrote of the 6-foot-4, 328-pound lineman. “He’s not a pass rusher (one sack in three seasons at Auburn), but he will help on early-down run defense.”
What should Giants fans expect from Bobby Jamison-Travis?
Realistically, Jamison-Travis profiles as someone who will spend his rookie season coming off the bench or primarily playing with the second-string defense … and that’s fine.
With respect to sixth-round draft picks, simply getting any sort of production from them is a massive victory.
Tom Brady is the exception to the rule, but that goes for most things.
The one knock against Jamison-Travis isn’t so much his lack of pass-rushing skills, but the fact that he’s an older prospect. He’ll play his entire rookie year at 25 years old following a six-season college career.
With that said, it’s not unrealistic that the Giants might feel compelled to give Jamison-Travis more snaps because of his extensive experience. There is no reason to slowly bring a 25-year-old rookie along, especially when the team in question is amid another rebuild.
Jamison-Travis could also factor into the Giants’ eventual trade deadline plans, albeit as someone who would move into the starting lineup if Reader or Harris are dealt come November. Harris, who turns 35 in August, is only on a one-year contract.
All it takes is one injury, though, for Jamison-Travis to get his chance. Just ask Brady how that can go.
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