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.
3. RB Dante Miller
While it seems like Dante Miller has a longer shot than most to make the roster since the Giants already have likely three guaranteed roster spots in the backfield, if he keeps playing so well in camp, he could make things difficult for Brian Daboll.
Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy, and Eric Gray all feel like locks to make the Giants roster. Both Singletary and Tracy are entering their first season with the team, and Gray was drafted in the fifth round last offseason. However, a disappointing rookie year paired with a great camp from Miller may force an early exit for Gray
Even if he doesn't, Miller feels like a lock to return to the team on the practice squad thanks to his elite speed. While issues with his college eligibility caused him to miss most of his career at South Carolina, his Pro Day was enough for the Giants to take a swing on the back.
Through the first week of camp, Miller has made a number of impressive plays and is a much better fit with this offense than a guy like Gray. The 6-0, 200-pound back has a chance to be a real contributor to the Giants' offense if he continues to impress throughout the remainder of training camp and preseason.
2. DL Casey Rogers
While we haven't heard much about how he's been doing on the field during training camp, Casey Rogers has made his name known for being the first player out there every single day, which means something when trying to make a roster.
The UDFA out of Oregon is a 6-5, 305-pound defensive tackle who plays with an absurd motor according to scouts. In his final season with the Ducks, Rogers racked up 11 tackles, 16 pressures, and one sack.
Rogers' numbers don't speak for his heart and determination to be great. Another thing Rogers has going for him is that he has spent his entire college, and now pro career with current Giants defensive tackle Jordon Riley. The two started out at Nebraska, transferred to Oregon together, and now are in New York.
This kind of connection could wreak havoc in the preseason. Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson has already talked very highly about Riley in the past, so it's clear he has value on the team. Rogers just needs to continue doing what he's doing in camp, produce in the preseason, and it seems like he has a real chance to make the roster.
1. LB Dyontae Johnson
Arguably the biggest surprise from training camp thus far has been the emergence of Dyontae Johnson, who has seen a ton of snaps with the starting defense throughout the first week. The Toledo product spent all of last season on the Giants' practice squad and it looks like he could be ready to breakout in 2024.
In his final season with Toledo in 2022, Johnson racked up 91 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He also allowed 33 receptions on 43 targets for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Last season, we were treated to a bit of a Micah McFadden breakout campaign of his own. However, he was still quite inconsistent as a tackler and in coverage. Now, with Johnson pushing for his starting spot, McFadden will only be pushed to improve, and if he doesn't, Johnson could see extensive action alongside Bobby Okereke.
This is a win-win situation for the Giants and if Johnson can both make the roster and contribute, he can join the long line of undrafted players to make an impact for New York throughout their long history.