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What should the Giants expect from last year’s UDFA wonder?

Originally posted on Empire Sports Media
By Anthony Rivardo | Last updated 5/11/24

The New York Giants kicked off their rookie mini-camp this week as they begin their preparations for the 2024 season. All attention will be drawn in by this year’s rookie draft class as it features some exciting prospects who will play significantly large roles in their first season.

But looking ahead to the summer, the Giants have an intriguing player who is basically still a rookie entering his second season after missing the entire 2023 campaign due to an injury. Bryce Ford-Wheaton will have an opportunity to prove his worth during this summer’s training camp practices as he aims to make the roster this season.

The Giants might have something special in Bryce Ford-Wheaton

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6) makes a catch over rookie cornerback Tre Hawkins III on the first day of training camp in East Rutherford on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Danielle Parhizkaran / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ford-Wheaton was named one of the NFL’s most exciting undrafted free agents last offseason as he entered the league with plenty of promise. The 6-foot-3, 221-pound wide receiver out of West Virginia boasted elite athleticism, running a 4.38s 40-yard dash time and scoring a perfect 10.0 relative athletic score (RAS).

He wound up going undrafted despite having a fourth-round projection by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. Zierlein described the West Virginia product as a “big, long wideout specializing in downfield jump-ball victories.”

The Giants were eager to add Ford-Wheaton after the draft and paid extra to lure him away from competing teams. The Giants gave Ford-Wheaton $236K guaranteed on his contract. According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, “That’s a full season salary on the practice squad ($216K) plus a $20K signing bonus. Clearly someone they want to develop.”

In 2022, Ford-Wheaton posted 62 receptions for 675 and seven touchdowns in his final collegiate season. He finished each of his last two campaigns with at least 40 receptions and 575 yards. Throughout last summer’s practices, Ford-Wheaton looked promising, making plays consistently during training camp. If he can back that up with another strong summer of practices this year, Ford-Wheaton may find himself competing for a roster spot in 2024.

This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.

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