Malik Nabers Highlights: Watch the New York Giants rookie’s training camp video
NY Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has been one of the most talked about players in the NFL this summer. Check out some of his best performances from camp here.
EAST RUTHERFORD — The New York Giants believe they can be at their best when it comes to the excitement that erupts in the hours following the NFL-mandated roster cuts, when more than 1,000 players officially hit the waivers list and enter free agency.
Building the team under General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll was not just about the product on the field, but also about the background in the front office and the process of acquiring players.
The post-cut talent market includes the waiver wire for players with less than four years of NFL service time and seasoned veterans not subject to the claiming process. You can bet the Giants will scour both pools to fill gaps and find hidden gems to compete for Daboll and Schoen in Year 3.
In 2022, the Giants signed Jason Pinnock and Nick McCloud (as well as Justin Layne and Jack Anderson). Two years later, Pinnock is a two-year safety and McCloud is slated to start at CB in Week 1. They also signed Tyre Phillips off the bench a day later that same year, so don’t ignore waivers based on the history of this recruiting department.
Just a reminder about the waiver wire: It’s not like fantasy football where you get one pick and then move on. If Carolina, which is ranked first, wants to claim 7 players, it gets all 7 players. Then it goes to Washington, and so on. The Giants are sixth priority and will hold that status for three weeks in the regular season before the order flips to reverse ranking.
Here’s a look at some names that could be of interest to the Giants. We’ll continue to add to the list as more cuts occur around the league:
Lewis Cine, Viking S
Cine, 24, was reportedly a trade target for other teams, but the Vikings couldn’t find a match for their 2022 second-round pick. His NFL career got off to a rocky start when he suffered a serious leg injury as a rookie, and it was a tedious climb after that. The Giants hosted Cine for a “30” visit during the draft process, so it will be interesting to see if they believe they can realize the former Georgia safety’s potential. If signed, he will come on a rookie contract that leaves him with about $4 million left over the next two years.
Steven Gilmore, Lions CB
The younger brother of former All-Pro Stephon Gilmore impressed the Giants in joint workouts last summer. The Lions kept him at 53 last year, but with the upgrades and resources put into the position, Gilmore found himself in a numbers game. “He has the potential to be a safety,” Lions DC Aaron Glenn said last season. “So he has some of his brother in him.”
Keenan Isaac, Buccaneers center back
Isaac excelled in coverage in the preseason and Tampa Bay has plenty of cornerbacks. He went undrafted out of Alabama State and made an impression as a rookie last year with his intriguing ability on the boundary.
Ricky Stromberg, Commander’s OL
Every team in the NFL is looking for offensive linemen, especially those with good pedigree and the versatility to play different positions. Stromberg, drafted in the third round out of Arkansas just last year, has struggled with injuries. Could the Giants sign him, move Greg Van Roten from right guard to center in an emergency, and see if Carmen Bricillo and James Ferentz can tap into Stromberg’s potential? It’s worth taking a look.
Neville Gallimore, Dolphins DT
Gallimore is a seasoned veteran and therefore available as a free agent. The Giants will likely be considering another player for their defensive line, and Gallimore, a former second-round pick out of Alabama, was a target of the Vikings when he was in the 2020 draft. Do you know who the Vikings’ DL coach was? That’s right: Andre Patterson.
Tre Avery, Titans CB
It could be a homecoming of sorts to New Jersey for the former undrafted rookie from Rutgers. He played two seasons for Shane Bowen in Tennessee and really struggled at times last season. Opposing quarterbacks teased him massively. But since Bowen’s system is familiar and he obviously saw potential in their time together in Tennessee, this reunion could be worth considering as a low-cost, low-risk option.
Rock Ya-Sin, 49ers CB
The seasoned veteran, who played college basketball at Temple, has battled through injuries and been on four teams in four years. Ya-Sin has experience (66 games, 39 starts) in zone systems on the perimeter and in the slot. If he’s healthy, the Giants may want to add the 28-year-old to an incredibly young roster.
