Giants’ Jalin Hyatt, Adoree’ Jackson fielded punts on Day 1 of OTAs

On their first day of organized team activities (OTAs), the New York Giants had CB Adoree’ Jackson and WR Jalin Hyatt fielding punts.

The New York Giants opened organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday in East Rutherford, New Jersey and while no members of the media were permitted to attend, the team did share reports, video highlights and photos.

Among the notes was a tidbit that may bother some Giants fans.

Less than a year removed from Adoree’ Jackson suffering a sprained MCL on a return against the Detroit Lions, he was back fielding punts. This time, he was joined by rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and a slew of others.

A number of different players caught punts early in practice: Adoree’ Jackson, Darnay Holmes, Jamison Crowder, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Jaydon Mickens.

It’s important to note that players are not in pads and no contact is permitted, so any potential danger is very limited. But that won’t be the concern for fans — the concern is whether or not Jackson and Hyatt will return punts in live practices or games this summer.

Below are a few highlights and some addition information worth noting.

Giants’ Gervarrius Owens willing, able to play every special teams role

Rookie Gervarrius Owens says he’s ready, willing and able to play whatever special teams role the New York Giants need.

The New York Giants may have gotten themselves another draft steal in Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens, who they selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Owens was projected to be a mid-round pick by many draft analysts, and like many others in this business, inexplicably fell through the cracks.

The Giants are getting a productive, versatile player with a positive attitude who will give his all for his new team. Owens told reporters this past weekend at the team’s rookie minicamp what they can expect from him.

“Somebody that’s willing to come in from day one, a hardhat guy and do the work every single day, making corrections, cleaning up footwork and things like that,” he said. “Just learning the defense and stuff and just getting everybody ready.”

Owens is one of three defensive backs the Giants selected in this draft. He and the other two, cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Trey Hawkins, have bonded already.

“You dream of this moment so long, then it hits you. Like the first day, me, Banks and Trey Hawkins running out to the field like, man, it’s time, we’re really here. Just trying to soak everything in, but at the same time everything is so fresh, so it’s just kind of all over the place,” he said.

“The first day was definitely a blessing. Got in, got some good work together, so kind of just getting acclimated to everything, but it’s a blessing. That’s all I can really say.”

Owens also has a connection to the Giants. One of his teammates down in Houston was Trent McGaughey, son of Giants special teams coordinator Thomas.

Owens said he met with the elder McGaughey during the weekend.

“He came over there after practice and talked to me, just letting me know everything. But yeah, his son, Trent, is one of our tight ends at Houston, definitely good people, too. But yeah, Coach came over there, spoke to me. He told me he played safety, too, at Houston, so yeah, I’m going to definitely be talking to him a lot,” Owens said.

Owens also mentioned that he would be available for all roles including special teams.

“I played a lot of kickoff and punt and then PBR, as well, and it just kind of kept on with those things. Definitely got some — able to play every special teams role, whatever they need me to do,” he said.

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Giants sign three to rookie contracts

The New York Giants have signed three members of their seven-player 2023 NFL draft class to their rookie contracts.

The New York Giants kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday and did so with a bang.

The team announced that three members of their 2023 NFL draft class — running back Eric Gray, cornerback Tre Hawkins III and safety Gervarrius Owens — had all signed their rookie contracts.

Gray was a fifth-round pick and projects as a valuable backup to Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida, while serving as competition to Gary Brightwell.

“Eric Gray is a guy we liked,” general manager Joe Schoen said after the draft. “Super productive. Really good hands out of the backfield. Also has some elusiveness to him inside. Like what he brings. He also has done some returns in his past; he did some at Tennessee, comfortable catching punts at Senior Bowl. So he’ll come in and compete with our group.”

The athletic but still raw Hawkins was taken in the sixth round of the draft.

“Tre Hawkins, we took him late in the sixth. From Old Dominion corner, height, weight, and speed prospect that has high upside,” Schoen said. “He’s a physical kid, not afraid to tackle. You see a trend with some of these guys that we took at that position. Good developmental prospect for Wink’s defense and projects well to special teams due to his physical traits and toughness.”

And Owens, who one AFC executive believes has Day 1 starting potential, was selected in the seventh round.

“Gervarrius Owens, another guy we like, tall, long, athletic safety from University of Houston, was out at the East-West Game,” Schoen said. “Another physical kid. Projects well to special teams and also compete for a depth role.”

Cornerback Deonte Banks, center John Michael Schmitz, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and defensive tackle Jordon Riley have not yet signed their rookie contracts.

Finally, the Giants also announced the official signings of nine undrafted rookie free agents:

  • QB Tommy DeVito
  • WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
  • CB Gemon Green
  • S Alex Cook
  • LB Habakkuk Baldonado
  • Troy Brown
  • LS Cameron Lyons
  • TE Ryan Jones
  • LB Dyontae Johnson

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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.

2023 NFL draft: Giants announce rookie jersey numbers

The New York Giants have announced the jersey numbers for all rookies from their 2023 NFL draft class (which are subject to change).

The New York Giants will hold their rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday, which means jersey numbers are in the process of being handed out.

The team’s seven-player draft class was the first up and had their new numbers revealed on Thursday.

Note: All jersey numbers are subject to change and may not be finalized. Please keep that in mind before rushing out to buy jerseys.

Pre-draft scouting reports: What was said about Giants DB Gervarrius Owens?

A look back at what was said about New York Giants DB Gervarrius Owens before he was selected No. 254 overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

The New York Giants selected Houston safety Gervarrius Owens with the 254th pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Here are some pre-draft scouting reports from draft experts on Owens.

AFC executive: Giants rookie Gervarrius Owens has starter ability

At least one AFC executive believes the New York Giants got a steal with seventh-round pick Gervarrius Owens, who has “starter ability.”

The New York Giants selected Houston safety Gervarrius Owens with the 254th pick in the seventh round of this year’s NFL draft.

In reviewing the stats and scouting reports on Owens combined with the amount of tape he’s laid down, many feel he should have been picked much earlier in the draft.

Here is a snapshot of Owens’ RAS (Relative Athletic Score):

It appears Big Blue may have gotten a sleeper in Owens. And at least one AFC executive is willing to admit that.

“He has starter ability. (He) will get on the field immediately on third down and special teams,” the executive told Matt Lombardo of Heavy Sports.

After the draft, Giants general manager Joe Schoen seemed to be content with the pick.

“Another guy we like, a tall, long, athletic safety from the University of Houston, was out at the East-West Game. Another physical kid. Projects well to special teams and also compete for a depth role,” Schoen said.

If Owens can come in as a seventh-round pick and see any level of meaningful playing time, that would represent true value for Schoen and the Giants.

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Follow each member of Giants’ 2023 draft class on Twitter

Each member of the New York Giants’ 2023 NFL draft class has a Twitter account. Here’s how to follow the team’s new arrivals on Twitter.

The New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen called the names of seven players during the 2023 NFL draft in Kansas City over the weekend beginning with Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks.

Things wrapped up on Sunday with their final selection of Houston safety Gervarrius Owens.

All seven members of the Giants’ 2023 draft class have Twitter (some more active than others) and this is how you can follow them:

Giants select Gervarrius Owens: 3 things to know

The New York Giants selected Gervarrius Owens with their final pick in the 2023 NFL draft, so here are 3 things to know about the safety.

The New York Giants selected Houston safety Gervarrius Owens with the 254th pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday in Kansas City.

Here are three things to know about the newest member of the Giants.

See it: Giants’ full 2023 NFL draft class

The 2023 NFL draft has come and gone for the New York Giants, so here’s a quick look at their seven-player draft class.

The 2023 NFL draft has officially come and gone and after multiple trades, the New York Giants ended up with seven total picks.

With those picks, the Giants came away with multiple Day 1 starters, a few role players, and several depth guys. Overall, general manager Joe Schoen addressed most of the team’s remaining needs and significantly improved their roster overall.

Here’s a quick look at the Giants’ entire 2023 draft class: