Next up for the New York Giants’ 2025 offseason is training camp, and then the 53-man roster cutdown will begin to loom as the August calendar creeps toward September. Come cutdown day, one really interesting NYG position will be wide receiver.
Veteran beat reporter Ed Valentine (Big Blue View) published a post-minicamp 53-man roster projection on June 19, and he was very confident in predicting a bold decision at WR.
“I am on record as having said an undrafted free agent rookie receiver will make the roster,” Valentine stated with conviction.
Continuing: “Right now, it is a coin flip for me between Dalen Cambre, Da’Quan Felton and Beaux Collins. Even though spring production in shorts and t-shirts doesn’t mean much, right now I am going with Cambre because of his spring performance.”
“I was shocked by his play as a receiver this spring after getting just 10 receptions in his college career,” Valentine admitted, regarding the Cambre selection. “He is a special-teamer first, and we haven’t seen him do that yet.”
Cambre had a sneaky-good OTAs and minicamp, even though he started to get some hype right toward the end of spring. If the undrafted youngster can continue to flash on offense while also impressing on special teams, which was initially his calling card as a prospect as Valentine noted, his roster chances would increase tenfold.
Similarly, Collins was an early standout of OTAs, too, but he tailed off a bit during minicamp after briefly being promoted to the first-team offense.
Felton has probably been the quietest of the three, but he’s made his plays here and there. His 6-foot-5 frame and above-average athleticism make him an intriguing prospect at wide receiver.
Valentine Has Giants Keeping 7 WRs at Roster Cutdown
Circling back to Valentine’s 53-man projection. With Cambre — or at least one of these three UDFA wide receivers — making the team, you might be wondering which Giants missed the cut in this educated guess.
Outside of the obvious top four of Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, the Big Blue View reporter predicted that returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette would earn a spot, as would veteran signing Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Cambre.
Although he did acknowledge that keeping seven wideouts could be difficult.
“Seven is, of course, a heavy number at wide receiver,” Valentine wrote. Adding: “If the Giants keep six, I do wonder about Humphrey’s status. The Giants have already cut him and brought him back once this offseason.”
Along with Collins and Felton, the beat reporter chose to cut core special teamer Bryce Ford-Wheaton, veteran special teams addition Zach Pascal, fellow UDFAs Antwane “Juice” Wells and Jordan Bly, and return specialist Montrell Washington.
Special Teams Will Be Crucial for Dalen Calembre & All Giants UDFA Pass-Catchers This Summer
The final few roster spots are always a blend of offensive or defensive usefulness, plus special teams impact. And a lot of times, the latter wins out.
That’s probably why Valentine is leaning Cambre over Collins and Felton ahead of training camp. Of course, this could change quickly as practices get underway.
As a noteworthy reminder, Humphrey has not had much of an impact on special teams throughout his career, and neither has Hyatt, making it tricky for the Giants to keep both of them as WR reserves.
