Can Wyatt Davis Snag a Backup IOL Role on Giants?

Wyatt Davis, Guard

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 315 pounds
2022 Stats: GP 3 / 29 snaps

Wyatt Davis was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings following a career at Ohio State. During his rookie season, he saw action in six games but none on the offensive line. He earned snaps on special teams, but that wasn't the contribution the Vikings were hoping to get out of a Day 2 pick.

Injury, inexperience, and conditioning led to Davis not getting a second season with Minnesota. He spent the 2022 season bouncing between three teams, starting with Arizona for one game. He was then waived and signed with New Orleans, for whom he appeared in one game before being waived. Then he was claimed by the Giants, for whom he played in the regular-season finale against the Eagles.

Davis will be one of many battling for playing time as the Giants try to figure out their situation at left guard. He was someone who many believed had the potential to be a day-one starter coming out of Ohio State, but with that ship seeming to have sailed, it remains to be seen if he can become a quality backup for the Giants.

He may have difficulty breaking into the lineup based on all of the draft capital in the building that will be playing guard. Davis has talent, but so do many other options at the position, like Shane Lemieux, Joshua Ezeudu, and Marcus McKethan. Even if Davis can show the potential he flashed when drafted in the third round, it may not be enough to secure a spot on the roster.

Best Case Scenario

It may be far-fetched for Davis to grab a starting spot on this team, but he can make the roster. The math says he will need to outplay both of the guard prospects from North Carolina taken in the 2022 draft if he wants a chance to compete for a spot.

As a player who has battled injury, he could also benefit from injuries to others. Davis must battle all the doubters and prove he can be a quality backup at either guard position.

Worst Case Scenario

The more realistic outcome for Davis is that he'll be swept up in the numbers, as there are just too many bodies to jump over. Forget the incumbents like Mark Glowinski and Ben Bredeson--Davis also needs to battle Ezeudu, McKethan, and Shane Lemieux. Ultimately, Davis may not survive the cut, and because of the depth, he may not be able to secure a practice squad position.

What to Expect in 2023

The starting left guard role might be one of the most intriguing battles during training camp. The Giants want to develop continuity with the first team as they break into a new center.

Despite that, Davis will be able to impress in the preseason and joint practices. The best-case scenario is that the Giants don't have the rash of injuries on the offensive line they had last year.

If that happens, there will be an abundance of players fighting for a couple of spots to where it's not unrealistic to forecast Davis likely finding himself on the outside looking in when cutdown day comes around.