Late during the NFL draft’s third and final day, NFL Network typically has a segment where social media users list seemingly little-known players to see if the production truck has footage on them.
New York Giants rookie offensive tackle Ryan Schernecke certainly fits the bill.
The massive 6-foot-8, 330-pound Schernecke went undrafted out of Division II Kutztown University. For the unfamiliar, Kutztown is located in Pennsylvania, and Hall of Fame receiver Andre Reed is perhaps its most famous alumnus, athletics or otherwise.
Even the most knowledgeable Giants fans might not know Schernecke yet, but CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards believes that should change immediately.
Edwards profiled the undrafted rookies he believes have the best chance to crack each team’s roster, and Schernecke earned that role for the Giants. Although Edwards initially planned to list North Carolina cornerback Thaddeus Dixon, his season-ending torn Achilles ruined that idea.
“Schernecke is a big body who will now factor into the team’s depth at offensive tackle,” Edwards wrote.
Schernecke and Dixon each earned over $280,000 in practical guarantees.
What New York Giants fans must know about Ryan Schernecke
Barring an unprecedented and devastating rash of offensive line injuries, Giants fans shouldn’t expect to see Schernecke anywhere near the starting lineup.
Even if the injury-prone Andrew Thomas needs to miss time, the Giants have young tackles J.C. Davis and Marcus Mbow behind him. Elsewhere on the line, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor has played 64 of a possible 68 games the last four years.
None of this is to say that Schernecke, a second-team Division II All-American last year, can’t make the Week 1 roster. He just faces an incredibly uphill journey, especially considering that Davis and Mbow are both on rookie contracts.
Schernecke did not attend the NFL Combine, though he recorded 30 bench press reps at Temple’s Pro Day. Some Division I programs allow players from smaller schools, such as Schernecke, to participate in their Pro Day.
With a strong summer, Schernecke could easily position himself to make the Giants’ practice squad. However, Davis — a sixth-round pick from Illinois — and Mbow figure to earn significant preseason snaps.
All Schernecke needs, though, is an opportunity, and the Giants have already given him one. Now the question becomes how, and when, he’ll get to properly take advantage.
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