The New York Giants stacked a successful 2023 NFL Draft run with a very active UDFA signing period. Who are the Giants’ UDFA signings and rookie minicamp invites, and when will fans be able to see them in action? Let’s take a closer look.
Which UDFAs Did the Giants Sign? Contracts and Notable Names
- Alex Cook, S, Washington
- BeeJay Williamson, S, Louisiana Tech
- Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia
- Caleb Sanders, IDL, South Dakota State
- Cameron Lyons, LS, Charlotte
- Dyontae Johnson, LB, Toledo
- Ed Lee, WR, Rhode Island
- Gemon Green, CB, Michigan
- Habakkuk Baldonado, DE, Pittsburgh
- Ryan Jones, TE, East Carolina
- Tommy DeVito, QB, Illinois
- Troy Brown, LB, Mississippi
The most notable of the Giants’ UDFA signings is West Virginia WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who was mocked as high as Day 2 at times in the pre-draft process. Ford-Wheaton caught 62 passes for 675 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022 and stood out at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Ford-Wheaton went on to put up one of the best NFL Combine performances in history at WR, logging a 4.38 40-yard dash, 41″ vertical, 10’9″ broad jump, 6.97 three-cone, and 4.15 short-shuttle time at 6’4″, 221 pounds, with 33 1/2″ arms.
With his athleticism and length, Ford-Wheaton excels as a vertical threat, but he’s also flashed above-average route-running ability and stem work for his size. His raw physical tools could be the source of more than one eye-catching play at minicamp and in OTAs down the line.
MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft Simulator (With Trades)
Beyond Ford-Wheaton, there are other names to know in the Giants’ UDFA group. Illinois QB Tommy DeVito is one prospect who could ultimately earn a roster spot. New York only has two signal-callers currently rostered in Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. DeVito — who signed with $20,000 in guaranteed money — could earn the QB3 spot.
The other notable contract in the Giants’ UDFA pool is Toledo LB Dyontae Johnson, who signed to a deal worth $150,000 in guaranteed base money, along with a $25,000 signing bonus. Johnson ran a 4.76 40-yard dash at his pro day, and he has good size at 6’2″, 235 pounds.
A final name to watch, especially looking at the Giants’ relative lack of depth at EDGE, is Pitt’s Habakkuk Baldonado. Baldonado looks the part at 6’4″, 251 pounds, and he has the athleticism, flexibility, and active hands to potentially earn a place.
Who Will Be Attending the Giants’ Rookie Minicamp?
- Ahofitu Maka, C, UTSA
- Ami Finau, IDL, Maryland
- Carlos Carriere, WR, Central Michigan
- Cyrus Fagan, S, NC State
- Eli Weber, S, Augustana
- Garett Maag, WR, North Dakota
- Haaziq Daniels, QB, Air Force
- Hunter Johnson, QB, Clemson
- Ike Irabor, RB, Union
- Jon-Michael Terry, LB, Tulsa
- Kemore Gamble, TE, UCF
- Khalil Keith, G, Baylor
- LaTrell Bumphus, IDL, Tennessee
- Lwal Uguak, IDL, TCU
- Morgan Vest, S, Northern Arizona
- O’Rien Vance, LB, Iowa State
- Peter Oliver, RB, Holy Cross
- Quinn Perry, LB, Colorado
- Tarique Milton, WR, Texas
The Giants compensated for a relatively small UDFA class by inviting almost two dozen unsigned free agents to their rookie minicamp. That group spans across the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but one particularly intriguing inclusion is UTSA C Ahofitu Maka.
Maka stands at 6’3″, 310 pounds, with arms over 33″ long. He has a strong, compact frame with great reach and power capacity, showing off solid mobility and physicality on tape. With a solid camp performance, Maka could earn a shot behind John Michael Schmitz as valuable center depth for the Giants.
When Is the Giants’ Rookie Minicamp?
The 2023 Important NFL Dates page on NFL.com says of rookie minicamps: “Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the Draft.”
Within that window, the Giants will hold their rookie minicamp on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6. There, onlookers will be able to watch early-round picks like Deonte Banks, Schmitz, and Jalin Hyatt in blue and white for the first time.
