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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