Every season, regardless of which NFL team is being discussed, we see underrated players come out of nowhere and make a name for themselves in training camp. While not every underdog gets a happy ending, more often than not these up-and-coming guys earn themselves a roster spot that was not guaranteed when they joined their team.
The NY Giants are no different from this. For example, last season Tre Hawkins was not expected to play much as a sixth-round pick. However, thanks to an elite camp, Hawkins appeared in 10 games during the regular season.
Hawkins's training camp play was certainly better than he performed in a regular season, but it still speaks of how you can get production from anywhere. With that said, these four guys may continue the tradition in 2024.
4. DL Elijah Chatman
With how weak the Giants' interior defensive line is looking this season, it makes sense that they are experimenting with some UDFA linemen to see if they have anything special on their hands. One of the guys who has surprisingly seen first-team reps is Elijah Chatman, who is an undersized defensive tackle with athletic traits that give him a bigger chance to be great than most guys his size.
Chatman is 6-0, 278 pounds, but he certainly didn't play like it at SMU. Through 14 games last season, he racked up 29 combined tackles, 24 pressures, and five sacks, lining up primarily in the B-gap. The numbers may not be mind-boggling, but as mentioned before, Chatman is a superb athlete.
This is likely why the Giants brought him in as a UDFA and have been giving him first-team reps. His size may limit his ceiling, but Chatman has played above said size before and it's reasonable to believe he can do it again.
If he earns a roster spot, Chatman could see the field a fair amount as a bench DT. The Giants certainly need help in this area and he could make some big-time plays. Hopefully, he shows out in the preseason and solidifies his roster spot.