Tag: Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Giants’ Thomas McGaughey: Bryce Ford-Wheaton has ‘really, really big upside’

New York Giants rookie WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton has drawn praise from GM Joe Schoen and now special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.

The New York Giants believe they have a find in former West Virginia wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who they signed after he went undrafted this spring.

BFW, as he is being referred to, has had a solid camp but is in a dogfight for a roster spot this summer as the Giants have a slew of high draft picks and veterans in front of him on the depth chart.

Ford-Wheaton’s official line in the Giants’ first two preseason games is two catches for 24 yards on five targets with a very noticeable drop. Both of his receptions, however, went for first downs.

If BFW has any designs of seeing his name on the 53-man roster after next Tuesday’s cutdowns, he might have to prove his mettle on special teams. So far, he’s impressed. Not as a returner, but as a gunner and in other areas.

“The obvious with Bryce is just size, speed. He’s 6-foot-4, he’s 225 pounds, or 230, whatever he is, and runs 4.40,” Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey told reporters on Wednesday.

“Those measurables are pretty special. Whenever you can get — and with him, he’s a very mature rookie. He goes about his business very professionally, he comes into meetings, he works his tail off, he’s attentive, and he wants to learn. So, when you have those qualities — smart, tough, dependable — and just those physical attributes, he has a really, really big upside, I think.”

But is upside going to get this young stud a job? Not likely. Any player who is not a starter on offense or defense has to prove their value as a special teamer.

Should the Giants waive BFW on Tuesday, he has to pass through waivers in order to sign him to the practice squad but the odds are in favor of some other team claiming and adding him to their 53-man squad.

The upcoming preseason game against the Jets this Saturday night is an important one to Ford-Wheaton and many others. With a strong performance, he can make his case for the 53. If not, he might end up being an unfortunate casualty of circumstance.

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5 Giants with most to gain in preseason matchup vs. Panthers

The New York Giants play the Carolina Panthers this Friday in Week 2 of the preseason and these 5 players have the most to gain (or lose).

The New York Giants will host the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of their 2023 preseason schedule on Friday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It’s entirely possible the Giants play some of their starters before wrapping up the preseason next week against the New York Jets, but it’s unclear which players will appear or how many reps they will receive.

With that uncertainty in mind, here are five players with the most to gain in the game.

Giants have a problem at wide receiver and that’s a good thing

The New York Giants have more solid wide receivers than they have available spots, and that’s a good problem to have.

The New York Giants have a number of options at slot receiver this season, a situation made even more competitive after two veterans logged in solid showings Friday night in Detroit.

Cole Beasley caught all four of his targets for a total of 33 yards and Jamison Crowder reeled in both of his for 32 yards.

The Giants signed each veteran this offseason as insurance after the receiver cupboard ran bare last season due to injuries, forcing the team to sign players off the street.

One of the players they brought in last fall was Isaiah Hodgins, who provided the Giants with a huge boost down the stretch as they drove toward the playoffs.

On Friday night, Hodgins — a prospective starter on the outside — caught one pass for 13 yards to remind everyone that he’s still very much in the plans.

Head coach Brian Daboll put Hodgins in for 18 snaps in the game, some early on and then again later in the game.

“I thought it was good for him,” Daboll said. “He was a practice squad player for a while there and came on with us late, so I thought it was good to get him some reps early on with Tyrod (Taylor).”

The Giants’ wide receiver room is a very crowded one this summer and when the music stops on August 29 for final cuts there won’t be enough chairs. Several will be going home, or at the least, to the practice squad.

Sterling Shepard is back, along with Darius Slayton and Hodgins. They, along with third-rounder Jalin Hyatt and free agent Parris Campbell, are all shoe-ins to make the roster.

That leaves perhaps three open spots on the 53-man roster. With Beasley and Crowder stepping up, that number could be reduced to just one. Several players will have two games to make their cases.

Heralded rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton did not have an impressive debut, failing to reel in any of his three targets and dropping a sure reception that hit him squarely in the chest.

The ever-reliable David Sills V made the most of his time, catching two passes for 36 yards, including one for a 22-yard gain. Sills is a long shot to make the team. The 27-year-old has been with the Giants since 2019, either on the active roster or the practice squad.

Kalil Pimpleton continues to play well, catching both of his chances for a total of 15 yards. He can also contribute on special teams as a returner.

Jaydon Mickens had a six-yard reception in the game, but he appears to be headed to the practice squad (at best).

Collin Johnson, who missed all of 2022 with an Achilles injury, left the game with a knee issue. The 6-foot-6 former Texas standout had been having a solid camp.

As of Saturday, Daboll did not have an updated status on Johnson’s injury.

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Giants fall to Lions: Winners, losers and those in between

The New York Giants fell to the Lions, 21-16, on Friday and here’s a look at our winners and losers (and those in between) from the game.

Editor’s note: Upon reviewing the game, we changed the entry for Deonte Banks, adding detail on what was a bang-bang play and difficult to read in real-time. Giants Wire writers disagreed (and still disagree) on what transpired.

The New York Giants opened the 2023 preseason on Friday night against the Detroit Lions and neither team played their key starters. There were a few spot starters on both sides but predominantly, the game featured depth players.

Accordingly, it was a rather ugly performance for each team. There was more bad than good, and neither coach is going to be particularly happy on Saturday morning.

Here are some winners, losers, and in-betweens from Fright night’s Giants’ victory/defeat.

Giants have logjam at wide receiver

The New York Giants will bring at least 15 wide receivers into training camp and half of those won’t make the 53-man roster.

The New York Giants will be taking 15 wide receivers to training camp this week, leading to the question — what is the plan?

Are they just throwing options against the wall to see what sticks? Or are they simply creating competition to see who will rise, or are they safeguarding themselves in case of a repeat of last year when they suffered an unusually high number of injuries?

It could be a little of both. The team found themselves shorthanded last season and they don’t want to get caught short again.

The unit will be run again by assistant coach Mike Groh and he will have a diverse group of players of all shapes, sizes and skill sets who possess a varied level of NFL experience.

Of the 15 players, perhaps eight of them will make the team’s final 53-man roster, and — if things go right — one or two of them could end up leading the team in targets and/or catches.

But that will be difficult. The Giants’ big move this offseason on offense was the trade for former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. He is expected to be heavily involved in the passing game.

So is running back Saquon Barkley, when he returns from his ‘holdout.’ Barkley has been the Giants’ best receiver when healthy the past few years and there’s no reason to stop throwing him the football.  Between he and Waller, there will be fewer opportunities for the wideouts, unless something changes.

So, what should fans expect this summer at wide receiver?

Expect the veterans to get the benefit of the doubt, at least in the beginning. That means initial work for Sterling Shepard, who is returning from another lost season due to injury, and Darius Slayton. Toss in Isaiah Hodgins and Wan’Dale Robinson (when he’s ready), along with free agents Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, Jeff Smith, Cole Beasley, and rookie Jalin Hyatt.

The Giants will try to forge a serviceable unit out of those names. They are top-heavy on slot receivers it seems so they might thin the herd there in favor of some outside options.

The others will all have to have monster camps to even be considered. Collin Johnson, David Sills and rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton are interesting names to watch but where do they fit? Jaydon Mickens, Makai Polk and Kalil Pimpleton are long shots and will have to show special teams prowess to stick.

Wide receiver will be a heavily contested unit this summer and will be a fun one to follow.

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Giants’ Bryce Ford-Wheaton named an UDFA to watch

Pro Football Focus believes New York Giants WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton is among 12 UDFA to watch during training camp.

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Every season, hype surrounds a few undrafted rookie free agents and 2023 is no exception. Already, New York Giants wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton has become the center of attention, appearing on various UDFA watch lists.

Pro Football Focus is the latest to hop on that bandwagon, naming Ford-Wheaton to their very own “UDFA to watch in 2023” list.

One of the more notable players to not hear their name called on NFL draft weekend, Ford-Wheaton instantly pops on his 2022 film due to his explosiveness and body control downfield. While he ran a limited route tree at West Virginia and lacks some creativity after the catch, he showed strong hands, converting more than 50% of his contested targets into catches, and brings suddenness at the top of his routes to create additional separation.

The Giants’ receiving corps has improved, at least on paper, from this time last year, and Ford-Wheaton’s athletic profile and untapped potential as a route runner provide a ceiling for him to develop into a rotational piece.

Ford-Wheaton is one of the most athletic wide receivers to come out of college ever. His RAS score of 9.97 was the 11th-highest for any receiver since 1987 and had he performed better in the 3-cone drill (6.47), he might have scored the highest of all time.

Perhaps more impressive than Ford-Wheaton’s RAS score has been the pro comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. That is exceptionally high praise.

But it’s important to remember that Ford-Wheaton hasn’t taken a single NFL snap and there’s a reason why he went undrafted. He’s not a perfect prospect by any stretch of the imagination and isn’t a lock to make the Giants’ 53-man roster. Still, the athleticism and potential are most certainly there.

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Bryce Ford-Wheaton named Giants’ most exciting UDFA

Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton has been named the New York Giants’ most exciting undrafted rookie free agent.

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Following the 2023 NFL draft, the New York Giants signed several undrafted rookie free agents and invited a handful more to minicamp.

Among those signed was West Virginia wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton, a player with a high ceiling who fell off draft boards due to inconsistency and lacking production.

Still, Ford-Wheaton was a priority free agent and several teams rushed to sign him. Ultimately, the 23-year-old picked the Giants over the Philadelphia Eagles and others.

Recently, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report named Ford-Wheaton one of the most exciting UDFA in football.

Signing undrafted free agent Bryce Ford-Wheaton could wind up being a move that impacts the group as well due to his blend of height, weight and speed.

The West Virginia alum came in at 6’3″, 221 pounds in the pre-draft process and ran a 4.38 40-yard dash. He didn’t have bad production at West Virginia either, racking up 675 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season with J.T. Daniels as his quarterback.

The Giants have one of the more nebulous wide receiver rooms in the league. There’s no clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver and the opportunity is there for an undrafted free agent to make a path for himself.

Ford-Wheaton’s physical tools will give him an advantage over some of the competition.

Ford-Wheaton was one of the most athletic players to come out of college last year. He earned an RAS score of 9.97, which ranked him 11th out of 3,048 wide receivers from 1987 to 2023. He has also drawn many pro comparisons to Calvin Johnson.

If Ford-Wheaton can even scratch the surface of his potential, the Giants and general manager Joe Schoen got a steal.

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Bryce Ford-Wheaton explains why he chose Giants over Eagles

Bryce Ford-Wheaton chose to sign with the New York Giants over the Philadelphia Eagles for two very specific reasons.

Shortly after the 2023 NFL draft concluded, Bryce Ford-Wheaton’s phone blew up. He received immediate calls from Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who were trying to convince him to join their teams.

“It was like recruiting,” Ford-Wheaton said, via The Athletic. “It was like you had to sign right then. You get 30 seconds to choose where you were going.”

Ford-Wheaton chose neither the Seahawks nor the Eagles. Instead, he chose to sign with the New York Giants largely because of the bond he built with head coach Brian Daboll during the pre-draft process. And because of his friendship with Giants wide receiver David Sills.

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“I talked to (Daboll) for a long time,” Ford-Wheaton said, adding he had a top-30 visit with the Giants. “My phone was blowing up while I was on the phone with him. I was sending everybody else to voicemail because in my head I was already like, ‘This is where I want to go.'”

The Pittsburgh Steelers had also hosted Ford-Wheaton on a top-30 visit (his only other top-30), but they didn’t come calling after the draft. Even if they had, the 23-year-old had already made up his mind. He wanted to be a Giant and that dream came to fruition.

The Giants signed Ford-Wheaton to an undrafted free agent contract worth $236,000 guaranteed. It also included a $20,000 signing bonus, which is on the high side for such contracts.

“I already felt good about the Giants, because I had already met them,” Ford-Wheaton said. “I had already learned a couple installs with them and kind of got tested. The determining factor was I had David Sills, one of my old teammates, up there. He’s done what I’m trying to do right now.”

Ford-Wheaton knows he faces an uphill battle for playing time as a rookie and perhaps he could have earned more elsewhere, but Daboll’s coaching style appealed to him. There’s an honesty and openness about Daboll that appeals to players and Ford-Wheaton is no exception.

“He’s just a real honest, up-front dude. He’s just real blunt,” the rookie said. “He’s not going to sit here and lie in your face. I was asking him what he saw my role being, and he just straight up said my role is going to be whatever I make it. I knew that he doesn’t care about where you get drafted or when. He cares more about what you’re about to do and how you’re going to produce. The best man is going to play. The proof is in the pudding.”

Ford-Wheaton is a remarkably athletic specimen but inconsistency has plagued him. It’s the reason he went undrafted as opposed to the middle rounds, and it’s why he’ll start his professional career on the bottom rung. But playing for Daboll puts him in a position to carve a new path and he will be in charge of how it plays out.

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Giants host rookie minicamp: What to watch for

The New York Giants will host their 2023 rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday, and here are a few things to keep an eye on.

The New York Giants will host their 2023 rookie camp this weekend at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

There’s a lot of anticipation after last week’s NFL draft. Here are a few things to watch for this weekend.

Bryce Ford-Wheaton is Giants’ most-intriguing UDFA addition

The New York Giants have added undrafted free agent WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who has Calvin Johnson-like attributes but is inconsistent.

Immediately following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL draft, teams rushed to sign the best undrafted rookie free agents available.

The New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen were no different, signing several players and inviting several more to rookie minicamp within hours.

But one name stood out above the rest: West Virginia wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton.

Ford-Wheaton has impressive size at 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds, and his Relative Athletic Scores (RAS) were off the charts. Could the Giants have found a diamond in the rough?

The fact that Ford-Wheaton went undrafted was a bit of a head-scratcher for some, but there is a history of inconsistency there. Still, the talent and athleticism seemed to be more than enough for someone to take a chance. NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein had him pegged as a fourth-round pick.

Ford-Wheaton is a big, long wideout specializing in downfield jump-ball victories. He’s a high-riser with an above-average wingspan, but he rarely slips past press coverage easily and fails to separate like he should relative to the blazing speed he showed at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s a raw route runner with tight hips and a lack of attention to detail that allows defenders to anticipate breaks and contest his catches on a regular basis. Ford-Wheaton has the size and hand strength to post victories on 50-50 throws, but he will need to prove he can consistently play to his athletic ability.

Even as a raw player, that type of size and athleticism usually sells. But the inconsistency sent up red flags across the NFL — and one head coach told Ford-Wheaton exactly that.

“Sometimes you look like Calvin Johnson but sometimes you look like you couldn’t start on a JUCO team in Iowa,” Ford-Wheaton recalled being told, via Mike Asti.

The Giants have invested quite a bit into their wide receiver group this offseason, including a trade up for Jalin Hyatt in Round 3 of the draft, but they don’t have many with Ford-Wheaton’s size. At his best, he’s a true ‘X’ receiver with the potential to take over as a WR1.

If head coach Brian Daboll and his staff are able to get the most out of Ford-Wheaton, they may have hit a home run. If not, it’ll end up being a story about what might have been.

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