Giants sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts

The New York Giants are undergoing another period of change, but time, tide, and the business of football waits for no one.

The Giants announced Monday evening that they have signed 10 players to reserve/futures contracts. A few of these names will be familiar to Giants fans from last year’s training camp. However, most of these players will be new to fans despite most of them having spent time on the Giants’ practice squad.

Only time will tell if there is another “Kaden Smith” among the fringe players who will be a part of the Giants’ offseason program.

• George Aston (FB)

Aston, also known as “Juggerneck”, was originally signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh in June of 2019 and the Giants signed Aston to their practice squad on Dec. 24. He brings elite athleticism (for a fullback) and was used as a receiver and short yardage back in college (45 receptions, 277 yards, 8 touchdowns receiving, 28 carries, 85 yards, 6 touchdowns rushing). He does have injury concerns after significant ankle injuries cost him the 2017 season.

• Alex Bachman (WR)

Bachman was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest by the Los Angeles Rams after the 2019 NFL Draft. He suffered an injury over the summer and was released from their injured reserve early in September. He originally worked out for the Giants in November following a spate of injuries to their receiving corps. Bachman does not have great size at 5-foot 11 inches, with 30 7/8 inch arms and 9-inch hands, but he does bring good quickness as a potential slot receiver and returner with a 4.28 second short-shuttle and 6.71 second 3-cone.

• Derrick Baity (DB)

Baity’s name stands out as he was a three-year starter in a Kentucky defense which has produced several good NFL players over the last couple years. A big, long corner, Baity has the frame for press-man coverage and has adequate ball skills. Athleticism is a question and he struggles to keep up with receivers when he is forced to recover.

• Jon Hilliman (RB)

Giants’ fans will remember Hilliman from an impressive pre-season and a less-than-impressive stint as their starting running back after Saquon Barkley’s injury. Hilliman has good size and the ability to break off chunk yardage, but he also had a problem with fumbling, putting the ball on the ground in two of this three games in the NFL. If he can improve his ball security he has a chance to become Saquon Barkley’s backup.

• Drew Scott (LS)

Long snapper signings might not be that glorious, but with veteran Zak DeOssie having injury problems during 2019 it was necessary. Colin Holba was signed to replace DeOssie midseason, and the addition of Scott adds extra competition for the position. Scott possesses prototypical size for a long snapper at 6-foot-1. He previously spent time with the Dallas Cowboys during the preseason since playing at Kansas State.

• Sean Smith (P)

Smith is another player that was a recent member of the Giants practice squad. Smith originally signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of college. During the season the Giants signed punter Riley Dixon to an extension, but the extra level of competition is necessary for specialists during the offseason. Smith has an explosive leg, averaging 45.4 yards per punt during his senior year at Dayton.

• Tanner Volson (C)

Volson was previously signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Chargers, but was later added to the Giants practice squad in December. Before coming to the NFL, he was a member of the FCS power house North Dakota State program that won back-to-back national championships. Volson was a dominant player at the FCS level, and is now a developmental offensive lineman.

• Reggie White Jr. (WR)

Another familiar face for Giants’ fans. White Jr. intrigued fans and coaches throughout the 2019 off-season with his combination of size and athleticism. He was raw as a technician coming out of Monmouth, but he has upside if he can hone his craft as a receiver.

• Kevin Wilkins (DT)

At 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, Wilkins has experience playing both the defensive end position in a 3-man front as well as defensive tackle in a four-man front for Rutgers. Wilkins had an impressive showing in East-West Shrine Game practices, but wasn’t selected in last spring’s draft. He was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft and spent time on Philly’s practice squad before landing on the Giants’ practice squad in December

• Nate Wozniak (OT/TE)

Wozniak originally came into the NFL as an undrafted tight end signed by the New Orleans Saints after the 2018 NFL Draft. New Orleans attempted to convert Wozniak from tight end to left tackle, but while he has plenty of length (listed at 6-foot-9) and athleticism, the second year player remains listed at 280 pounds. Wozniak has spent time on the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons practice squads. Perhaps the Giants’ new coaching staff will be able to develop him as a reserve lineman — or perhaps find a use for him as a “tackle eligible” in certain packages.