By Michael Stewart/@TheTruthNYG
The New York Giants production from the Tight End position in 2021 was one of the less productive positions among all teams in the NFL. GM Joe Schoen cleaned house by releasing all three of the Giants tight ends from 2021 (Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith). Schoen also did not re-sign Levine Toilolo who spent the entire 2021 season on IR. In contrast, Schoen has added Ricky Seals-Jones, Jordan Akins, Daniel Bellinger, Austin Allen and Andre Miller less for what they were paying Engram. Let’s take a look at the Tight Ends currently on the roster.
- Ricky Seals-Jones: Seals-Jones has been well-traveled as the Giants will be his 5th team in the NFL. Injuries have plagued him for most of his career, so I’m not expecting the Giants to view him as their workhorse at the Tight End position.
- Jordan Akins: Akins is another journeyman Tight End that hopes to secure a roster spot with the Giants by opening day. Akins has reliable hands and is a willing blocker who needs to show the Giants staff his versatility.
- Daniel Bellinger: Bellinger was in my top 3 among the tight ends in the 2022 draft only behind Trey McBride and Jelani Woods. Bellinger flew a little under the radar at San Diego State as the tight end position wasn’t featured in the passing game. Bellinger is a supreme blocker and will surprise many as a receiver in the NFL as he had 0 drops in 2021 and many experts project him to be a better NFL player.
- Chris Myarick: Myarick is a big bodied tight end who is an excellent blocker and spent time on the Giants practice squad in 2021. Myarick might have a tough time making the practice squad in 2022 with the new additions this year.
- Austin Allen: Allen was another Tight End I liked as a late Day 3 target in the draft and like many prospects fell far even to end up being a UDFA signing. Allen has size (6’9/253) but has deceptive speed as he averaged 15 yards per catch at Nebraska. Could Allen be the surprise rookie in camp and sneak onto the opening day roster? Probably not, but he certainly could be part of the Giants practice squad.
- Andre Miller: Miller is considered under-sized for a tight end in the NFL (6’3/220) but does possess above average speed for a tight end and was highly productive with Maine in 2021. It’s going to be a tough decision for the Giants with Miller to determine if they see him as a tight end or a wide receiver. Size is a factor at Tight End and lack of speed is the issue at wide receiver.
Unless there’s an unforeseen chain of events during training camp, Ricky Seals-Jones, Jordan Akins and Daniel Bellinger seem like the front runners to secure the three roster spots at the Tight End position on opening day. Ultimately, Bellinger could emerge as the Giants starting Tight End at some point. Also, keep an eye on a couple of UDFA Tight Ends in Austin Allen and Andre Miller as both could find their way onto the practice and possibly get added to the game roster during the season under the covid-19 protocol of adding two players from the practice squad each week during the 17-game season. Keep an eye out for my upcoming article spotlighting the running backs.