Thursday, it was offensive lineman Ikechuku Ndukwe. Today, it's defensive end Ayanga Okpokowuruk.
You know the New York Giants love those long names.
Okpokowuruk is a 6-foot-5, 254-pound defensive end who went undrafted out of Duke in the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed on with the Giants shortly after, but was waived at the end of preseason. Yet, after the Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Rhett Bomar off the Giants' practice squad, Okpokowuruk was brought in to fill the void. Last month, one day after his practice squad expired Jan. 11, Okpokowuruk signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants.
At Duke, Okpokowuruk appeared in 12 games every season but his junior year, when he suited up for 11. In his four years at Duke, Okpokowuruk also earned some time playing on the interior of the defensive line. At his pro day, he ran a 4.85 40-yard dash, benched 29 225-pound reps and recorded a vertical leap of 37.5 inches.
Okpokowuruk is the only defensive end the Giants offered a reserve/future contract to, but that doesn't change the fact that over the last five years or so, "G-men" and "defensive end" have been synonymous. Behind Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, second-year Jason Pierre-Paul, Dave Tollefson, Alex Hall and Mathias Kiwanuka (if he is healthy) form a fairly strong and deep group. Judging from his measurables, Okpokowuruk clearly possesses some raw athletic skills. However, given what's ahead of him on the Giants' depth chart, his chances of making the roster don't look great.
Chance of sticking around: Not Likely