The late, great Freddie Mercury once said, “Don’t stop me now, ’cause I’m havin’ a good time,” and it feels like the New York Giants had that playing through the speakers at 1925 Giants Drive long after the 2026 Draft wrapped up.
Just because the draft was over didn’t stop the G-Men from having a good time and signing multiple college free agents before anyone could catch their breath. As of this writing, the G-Men have signed eight undrafted free agents to their 90-man summer roster, but one name stands out among the rest: Anquin Barnes.
Not only does the former Colorado Buffalo fill a potential need along the defensive front -- still searching for that Dexter Lawrence replacement -- but the real intrigue comes from who’s been coaching him in Boulder. For the past two years, Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has been working with the 6-foot-5, 340-pounder (supposedly he's down to 310 now), which could give him a massive leg up when training camp rolls around.
Warren Sapp’s influence makes Giants UDFA Anquin Barnes worth watching
Sapp is a former seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro who revolutionized the 3-technique in Monte Kiffin’s defense with the Buccaneers. In a position best known for eating space, the 6-foot-2, 303-pounder showed defensive linemen could be more than that, paving the way for future elite interior rushers.
Let's hope Barnes is next in line.
Right now, he’s pretty one-dimensional as a run stopper. But his athleticism points to something more than just being a big body on the line.
The 23-year-old didn’t exactly light it up at Colorado. Last year, he finished the season with 22 tackles, zero tackles for loss, and zero sacks. It’s not surprising he fell out of the draft entirely. But there are some run-stuffing chops in there somewhere that should give him a shot.
He joins Bobby Jamison-Travis and fellow UDFA Ben Barten as an incoming rookie looking to prove their worth through training camp and the preseason. And they may not get an NFL opportunity this clean again.
Darius Alexander -- New York’s 2025 third-round pick -- is currently the team’s top defensive tackle. That should change before the 2026 season starts, but that means a strong summer from Barnes could lead to a surprise roster spot.
If the Sapp effect is real, there might be something worth tapping in that maple tree.
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