The back end of the wide receiver corps for the New York Giants is filled with talented players, but the reality is, there are only so many spots on the 53 man active roster. Beyond the regular starters, including Kenny Golladay, a Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard, and Darius Slayton, there may only be one or two spots left for grabs.
One veteran who is eyeing a roster spot is former San Francisco 49ers receiver Dante Pettis, who was picked up by the Giants and spent two games trying to elevate their passing game. With the often sputtering and Daniel Jones struggling to find open targets, Pettis offered athleticism and speed at a position that lacked both during the second half of the season.
With Slayton bogged down by injury and Golden Tate unable to create separation, Pettis recorded 76 yards over four receptions, including a beautiful touchdown catch up the same against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
He caught 80% of his targets, and while the sample size was minimal, he was one of the only bright spots on the offense to close out the year.
The Giants currently have Pettis on a one-year, $1.3 million deal, but without any dead money, they can cut him without any financial implications. That puts him in a tough spot during training camp, but given his close to the 2020 campaign, there’s hope he can re-emerge as an adequate option.
During his time at the collegiate level with Washington University, Pettis was also known for returning punts, an application that could be utilized this upcoming season. Ultimately, if you are a reserve receiver, you must have value outside of your position, otherwise, an option like CJ Board might get the nod (gunner on ST).
Pettis is three years removed from my 467 yard, five-touchdown season during his rookie campaign. Since being a second-round selection, Dante has been a bust, but he showcased some of his flashy abilities last year with Big Blue. He’s a player to keep an eye on, and he is undoubtedly talented enough to grab the No. 5-6 spot in the WR unit.
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