Giants Sign Former Eagles Draft Pick at Start of Training Camp: Report

The New York Giants finalized a signing on July 22, the same day players are set to report for the start of training camp.

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler was the first to report the news, relaying that per his sources, “free agent safety K’Von Wallace is signing with the Giants.”

Of course, for those paying attention throughout the spring, this move should not come as a major surprise. The Athletic’s NYG correspondent Dan Duggan explained why while reacting to Fowler’s reporting.

“Not a surprise based on the state of the safety depth,” Duggan noted. Reminding: “Wallace got a tryout with the Giants during minicamp in June. He started seven games for the [Tennessee] Titans in 2023 when [Giants defensive coordinator] Shane Bowen was Tennessee’s DC.”

Although Wallace’s stint with the Titans is more notable as to why he signed with the Giants, Big Blue supporters would likely remember him more from his days as a member of the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Wallace (5-foot-11) was a former fourth-round selection of the Eagles in 2020, and has suited up in more games with Philly than any other NFL franchise.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old logged 7 starts and 49 appearances for the Eagles (including playoffs), accumulating 68 total tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB hit, 2 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery. He mostly contributed as a core special teamer and rotational safety.

After leaving Philadelphia, Wallace spent some time with the Arizona Cardinals, Titans and Seattle Seahawks before joining New York for Giants training camp.

Giants Injuries at Safety Do Not Appear to Be Resolved Heading Into Training Camp

When the Giants brought Wallace in for a tryout during minicamp, the obvious reason was injuries.

On June 12, Duggan reported that the “the Giants were exceptionally short-handed at safety [at practice] with [Jevon] Holland, [Tyler] Nubin and [Anthony] Johnson sidelined.”

“That left Dane Belton, Raheem Layne and undrafted rookie Makari Paige as the only available safeties,” the beat writer noted at the time. Adding: “The workload for those three safeties was increased, while undrafted rookie corner TJ Moore filled in at times. Moore broke up a deep crosser from [Jaxson] Dart to tight end Greg Dulcich.”

Despite the rookie CB’s versatility, the Giants are electing to sign veteran depth, as this rash of injuries may not have cleared up just yet.

Holland and Nubin are the clear starters at safety if healthy, and Belton stood out as the frontrunner for the third safety role throughout the spring. Beyond that, Paige has shown some early promise, but Wallace should help stabilize this unit while also providing a strong special teams impact.

Giants Veteran Safety Depth Raheem Layne & Anthony Johnson Jr. Put on Notice With K’Von Wallace Signing

The two players that this signing impacts the most are Layne and Johnson. Both are hopefuls who are looking to claim that fourth and likely final safety role on the 53-man roster.

It was bad enough that the undrafted rookie, Paige, was nipping at their heels, but now they have to contend with Wallace, too.

“Layne tore his ACL midway through the 2023 season while playing for the [Los Angeles] Chargers,” Duggan detailed while breaking down the defensive roster on July 16.

“He signed with the Giants during training camp last year, spending the first 14 weeks of the season on the practice squad,” the reporter continued. “[Layne] got an opportunity to play defensive snaps on Week 16, but he tore his meniscus in that game and missed the rest of the season. The 26-year-old was with the second-team defense all spring, putting him in position to push for a roster spot.”

As for Johnson, Duggan reminded readers that the backup safety and special teamer was “the Giants’ lone waiver claim after cut day last year.”

“He played 303 defensive snaps for the [Green Bay] Packers as a rookie in 2023, but was a surprise cut last year after they drafted three safeties,” Duggan went on. “Johnson was a healthy scratch for eight games and only played 21 defensive snaps last season. He missed the entire spring with a shoulder injury, so his status is unclear heading into training camp.”