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Start for freeThe Giants' Search for Wide Receiver Talent
The New York Giants have made it clear they're on the hunt for hidden gems at the wide receiver position. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, the team signed five high-profile undrafted free agent (UDFA) wide receivers:
- Bo Collins (Notre Dame)
- Daquin Felton (Virginia Tech)
- Antoine "Juice" Wells Jr. (Ole Miss)
- Nate McCullum (North Carolina)
- Dalon Camry
These signings highlight the Giants' commitment to finding talent through unconventional means. The team has a history of success with UDFA wide receivers, most notably Victor Cruz, who played a crucial role in their Super Bowl XLVI victory.
The Wide Receiver Landscape in New York
The Giants' current wide receiver room is far from settled. Outside of Malik Neighbors and Darius Slayton, every spot is up for grabs. This situation creates a prime opportunity for UDFA players to make their mark and potentially earn a roster spot.
Some notable points about the Giants' current receivers:
- Jaylen Hyatt needs to take a significant step forward in his development
- Little Jordan Humphrey's spot is not guaranteed
- Zach Pascal didn't catch a pass last season
- Bryce Ford-Wheaton is still fighting to make the team
This uncertainty opens the door for new talent to emerge and make an impact.
Daquin Felton: A Potential Standout
Of all the UDFA wide receivers signed by the Giants, Daquin Felton from Virginia Tech stands out as having one of the best chances to make the team.
Physical Attributes and Athletic Profile
Felton boasts impressive physical attributes:
- Height: 6'4.5"
- Weight: 214 lbs
- Age: 24
His size gives him a significant advantage, especially as the Giants have lacked a physical outside receiver who can make plays over defenders for quite some time.
Felton's athletic testing results are also noteworthy:
- Relative Athletic Score: 89th percentile among wide receivers
- 40-yard dash: 4.54 seconds
- Arm length: 32+ inches
These numbers suggest that Felton has the physical tools to compete at the NFL level.
College Production and Playing Style
Felton's college career at Virginia Tech showcased his potential:
2023 season:
- 38 receptions
- 667 yards
- 8 touchdowns
- 17.6 yards per catch
In 2023, Felton primarily served as a deep threat, using his size and speed to make plays downfield. His role evolved in 2024, with more short and intermediate routes added to his repertoire.
However, there are some areas of concern:
- Drop issues: 5 drops in each of the last two seasons
- Drop percentage: 11.6% in 2023, 13.5% in 2024
On a positive note, Felton showed significant improvement in contested catch situations:
- 2023: 0 for 9 on contested catch opportunities
- 2024: 8 for 15 on contested catch opportunities
NFL Potential
Felton's skill set makes him an intriguing prospect for the Giants:
- Pure outside receiver with a blend of size and speed
- Moves well for his size as a vertical option
- Can turn short catches into big gains
- Difficult to bring down, can break arm tackles
While he's not an elite yards-after-catch player, Felton did accumulate:
- 319 yards after catch in 2023
- 143 yards after catch in 2024
The Giants' current receiver corps lacks a big, physical boundary receiver. Felton could potentially fill this role and provide a new dimension to the offense.
Antoine "Juice" Wells Jr.: Another Promising Prospect
Antoine Wells Jr., nicknamed "Juice," is another UDFA wide receiver with a good chance of making the Giants' roster.
Physical Attributes and Athletic Profile
Wells' measurables are solid, if not spectacular:
- Height: Nearly 6'1"
- Weight: 200+ lbs
- Age: 24
- Relative Athletic Score: 57th percentile
- 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds (51st percentile)
While his testing numbers weren't outstanding, Wells has shown NFL-caliber speed on tape.
College Production and Playing Style
Wells had an impressive college career, particularly in 2022 at South Carolina:
- 68 receptions
- 928 yards
- 6 touchdowns
After transferring to Ole Miss for the 2024 season, Wells' production dipped slightly:
- 28 receptions
- 553 yards
- 6 touchdowns
Wells' playing style is characterized by:
- Hard running
- Difficulty to bring down
- Strong yards-after-catch ability
However, he's not considered an elite route runner and struggled with drops in his final college season.
NFL Potential
Despite some limitations, Wells has shown the ability to make an impact on the field. His connection with Giants' quarterback Jackson Dart from their time at Ole Miss could prove valuable in training camp and preseason.
O'Donnell Fortune: A Late UDFA Signing
In addition to the wide receivers, the Giants made a notable late UDFA signing in cornerback O'Donnell Fortune from South Carolina.
Physical Attributes and Background
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Age: 23
Fortune gained significant attention during the pre-draft process, culminating in his MVP performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
College Production and Playing Style
Fortune was a productive player at South Carolina:
- 7 interceptions over his last three seasons
- 86 overall Pro Football Focus grade in his final season
- Allowed 31 catches on 53 targets for 355 yards
- Quarterbacks had a 61.4 passer rating when targeting him
His playing style is characterized by:
- Good size and length
- Solid instincts
- Ability to play the ball in the air
- Primarily an outside corner (639 snaps on the boundary vs. 15 in the slot)
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Ball awareness
- Fluidity in coverage
- Productive ball hawk (3 interceptions in his final season)
Weaknesses:
- Needs to improve discipline in coverage and run support
- Didn't test exceptionally well athletically
NFL Potential
Fortune's ball-hawking skills and coverage ability make him an intriguing prospect for the Giants' secondary. With the team's cornerback depth chart in flux, Fortune has a real opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
The Giants' Cornerback Situation
The addition of Fortune adds another layer of competition to the Giants' cornerback group:
- Paul Adivo (CB1): Recently signed to a significant contract
- Drew Phillips: Entering year two, expected to make a leap
- Deontay Banks: Former first-round pick entering a crucial third year
- Cordell Flat: Versatile player who can play inside and outside
The Giants' secondary needs improvement, and Fortune could potentially provide depth and playmaking ability if he can translate his college success to the NFL level.
Conclusion: Opportunity Knocks for UDFAs
The New York Giants have cast a wide net in their search for talent, particularly at the wide receiver position. With several roster spots up for grabs, players like Daquin Felton and Antoine Wells Jr. have a genuine opportunity to make the team and potentially become contributors.
While it's unlikely that any of these UDFAs will replicate the success of Victor Cruz, finding a player who can make even half the impact would be a significant win for the Giants' scouting department.
The addition of O'Donnell Fortune to the cornerback competition adds another layer of intrigue to the Giants' offseason. His ball-hawking skills and coverage ability could provide valuable depth to a secondary in need of improvement.
As the team heads into rookie minicamp and eventually training camp, all eyes will be on these undrafted players. The Giants' history of finding hidden gems suggests that at least one of these players could surprise and become a valuable asset to the team in the 2025 season and beyond.
For Giants fans, the influx of young talent brings hope and excitement. While the team's established stars will lead the way, it's often the unexpected contributors who can help push a team to the next level. As the offseason progresses, keep a close eye on these undrafted free agents – one of them might just be the next fan favorite at MetLife Stadium.
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