Giants Rookie Minicamp: 7 UDFAs Signed as New York Fills Out 90-Man Roster

The New York Giants officially kicked off their three-day rookie minicamp on Friday morning, but the biggest news broke before the first snap. The organization announced the signings of seven undrafted free agents (UDFAs), bringing the roster to the offseason limit of 90 players. This flurry of activity comes just days after the team trimmed four players from the roster, signaling a clear intent to inject competition into every position group.

For a franchise still searching for its identity under general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, the UDFA market is more than just a numbers game. It’s a critical pipeline for depth and, occasionally, diamonds in the rough. The Giants have a storied history of finding contributors after the draft—from Super Bowl heroes to Pro Bowl special teamers. This year’s class of seven signings includes a mix of high-upside defensive linemen, athletic defensive backs, and intriguing offensive pieces.

Let’s break down each signing, the roster implications, and what these rookies need to do to survive the summer and earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Breaking Down the 7 UDFAs Signed by the Giants

The Giants’ rookie minicamp is a proving ground. For these seven players, the goal is simple: show enough in shorts and helmets to earn a longer look during OTAs and training camp. Here is the full list of signings, with expert analysis on each prospect.

Anquin Barnes Jr., DT, Colorado

Barnes is a massive interior presence, checking in at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds. He transferred to Colorado from Alabama, where he was buried on a deep depth chart. At Colorado, he showed flashes of the brute power that made him a four-star recruit. Barnes’ primary value is as a run-stuffer. He eats double teams and can push the pocket from the nose tackle spot.

Expert Analysis: The Giants have Dexter Lawrence as an immovable anchor, but they need rotational depth behind him. Barnes is raw—his pass-rush moves are limited to a bull rush—but he has the frame to develop into a short-yardage specialist. If he can show discipline against zone-blocking schemes in camp, he could push for a practice squad spot.

Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina

Dixon is a feisty, competitive cornerback who played his final college season at North Carolina after starting his career at Washington. He has good length (6-foot-0, 190 pounds) and plays with an aggressive, press-man mentality. Dixon’s ball skills are a question mark—he only had one interception in his Tar Heels career—but he excels at disrupting routes at the line of scrimmage.

Expert Analysis: The Giants’ secondary is deep, but it’s also injury-prone. Dixon’s path to the roster is through special teams. He has the temperament to play on coverage units. If he can prove he can stick with NFL receivers in man coverage during minicamp, he becomes a dark horse candidate for the final roster, especially given the team’s need for physical corners.

Armani Chatman, CB, Virginia Tech

Chatman is a versatile defensive back who can play both outside and in the slot. He has 35 games of starting experience in the ACC. Chatman’s biggest asset is his football IQ. He diagnoses plays quickly and rarely gets caught out of position. He lacks elite speed (4.55 40-yard dash), but his technique is advanced.

Expert Analysis: This is a classic “coach’s son” signing. Chatman won’t wow you with athleticism, but he will be in the right place at the right time. In a Brian Daboll defensive system that values intelligence, Chatman could be a valuable camp body who pushes for a practice squad role as a depth insurance policy.

Jake Kubas, G, North Dakota State

Kubas is a blue-collar interior offensive lineman from the FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. He is a powerful run blocker who excels in gap schemes. Kubas’ NFL transition will hinge on his ability to handle NFL-level speed and power. He has strong hands and a nasty streak, but his footwork in pass protection needs refinement.

Expert Analysis: The Giants’ offensive line is in flux. Kubas is a long shot to make the 53-man roster, but he fits the profile of a developmental guard who could contribute in 2025. The Bison produce NFL-ready players, and Kubas’ experience in a pro-style offense gives him a leg up on some other UDFAs.

Kyle Henderson, LB, North Carolina Central

Henderson is a small-school linebacker who dominated at the FCS level. He is undersized (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) but plays with exceptional speed and instincts. Henderson’s best trait is his ability to cover ground sideline-to-sideline. He racked up over 100 tackles last season and showed range in pass coverage.

Expert Analysis: Special teams is Henderson’s ticket. The Giants have established starters at linebacker, but they need fast, athletic bodies for kick coverage. Henderson’s speed could make him a standout on those units. He’s a practice squad candidate who could develop into a sub-package linebacker in time.

Dylan Brown, WR, Central Michigan

Brown is a big-bodied wide receiver (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) who was a consistent target in the MAC. He has strong hands and is a threat in the red zone. Brown’s challenge will be separating from NFL defensive backs. He lacks elite burst and acceleration, but he can win contested catches.

Expert Analysis: The Giants’ wide receiver room is crowded with Malik Nabers, Jalin Hyatt, and Wan’Dale Robinson. Brown’s only path is as a camp body who provides a big target for quarterbacks in 7-on-7 drills. Unless he shows surprising quickness, he is a long shot for anything beyond a training camp invite.

Dante Miller, RB, USC

Miller is a shifty, change-of-pace running back who spent his final season at USC after starting at Columbia. He is a dynamic athlete with excellent lateral agility. Miller’s biggest question mark is durability—he has never carried a heavy workload. He also offers value as a kick returner.

Expert Analysis: With Devin Singletary and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. ahead of him, Miller needs to show he can be a weapon in the passing game. He has the hands and route-running ability to be a third-down back. If he impresses in minicamp, he could compete for a roster spot as a return specialist.

Roster Implications and the 90-Man Limit

The signings of these seven UDFAs bring the Giants’ roster to exactly 90 players. This number includes unsigned draft picks Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa, and Colton Hood. The team trimmed four players from the roster on Thursday to make room for the new additions. Any tryout players the Giants wish to sign after this weekend will require further roster moves, meaning the competition is already fierce.

For the UDFAs, the math is brutal. Typically, only one or two undrafted rookies make the final 53-man roster. The rest are either cut or signed to the practice squad. The Giants have a history of giving UDFAs a real chance—just last season, a UDFA earned a starting role on special teams. The key for these seven is to make an immediate impression during the rookie minicamp, which focuses on fundamentals and install.

Predictions for the UDFA Class:

• Best chance to make the 53-man roster: Thaddeus Dixon. His aggressive style and special teams upside fit exactly what defensive coordinator Shane Bowen wants from his corners.
• Practice squad lock: Anquin Barnes Jr. His size and potential are too intriguing to let go, but he needs a year of NFL coaching to refine his technique.
• Dark horse: Dante Miller. If he shows he can handle kick returns and catch passes out of the backfield, he could unseat a veteran.

Expert Analysis: What to Watch at Minicamp

Rookie minicamp is about evaluation, not competition. The pads aren’t on, and the tempo is controlled. But for these UDFAs, every rep matters. Here is what the Giants’ coaching staff will be watching closely:

Mental Processing: Can these rookies absorb the playbook quickly? The Giants will install their base offense and defense on Friday. Players who make mental mistakes will be weeded out immediately.

Special Teams Value: For nearly every UDFA, special teams is the only path to a roster spot. Coaches will be timing their 40-yard dashes, watching their pursuit angles, and evaluating their tackling ability in space.

Physical Tools: Even without pads, coaches can see explosiveness, change of direction, and hand-eye coordination. A player like Kubas will be judged on his ability to move his feet in pass sets, while Dixon will be tested on his press-man technique.

The Giants have a clear strategy: Load the roster with competition and let the cream rise. These seven UDFAs are not just fillers—they are potential contributors who will push veterans and draft picks alike. The success of this class won’t be known for months, but the foundation is being laid at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

Strong Conclusion: The Undrafted Path to Giants Glory

The New York Giants have a proud tradition of undrafted success stories. From Super Bowl hero David Tyree to long-time special teams ace Zak DeOssie, the franchise knows that draft status doesn’t define a player’s potential. These seven UDFAs—Barnes, Dixon, Chatman, Kubas, Henderson, Brown, and Miller—are living proof that the American Dream is still alive in the NFL.

But the reality is sobering. Most of these players will not be on the roster when the Giants open the season against the Dallas Cowboys. The odds are stacked against them. However, the rookie minicamp is their first, best chance to defy those odds. A single impressive drill, a perfectly timed interception, or a crushing special teams tackle can change everything.

For Giants fans, this is the time to watch closely. The diamonds in the rough are found in May, not September. As the team begins its three-day rookie minicamp, the seven UDFAs signed on Friday are not just names on a transaction wire. They are hungry, desperate, and talented players fighting for a dream. Some will fail. A few will thrive. And one might just become the next undrafted Giant to lift the Lombardi Trophy.

Follow the Giants’ roster moves closely—the 2024 season is being built, one UDFA signing at a time.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.