Can Da’Mari Scott grab Giants’ kickoff/punt return jobs?

In need of a kickoff and punt returner, the New York Giants turned late last season to Da’Mari Scott, a player who spent most of the 2019 season on the team’s practice squad. Scott did a nice job in his limited audition. Could he turn that into a full-time gig in 2020?

Let’s take a closer look.

The basics

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 205
Age: 25 in August
Position: Wide receiver/kick returner
Experience: 2
Contract: One-year, $570,000

How he got here

The Giants claimed Scott off waivers from the Buffalo Bills last July. A former undrafted free agent, Scott played in three games for the Bills in 2018 without a reception or a return. Seeing that he wasn’t going to make the 53-man roster, Scott requested and was granted his released from the Giants late in August.

When no other opportunity arose, Scott re-signed to the Giants practice squad at the beginning of October, and was promoted to the active roster for the final five games. He averaged 5.3 yards on six punt returns, and 27.5 yards on four kickoff returns, and also caught two passes for 22 yards.

2020 outlook

Corey Coleman might be the favorite for that backup wide receiver/kick and punt returner role. Scott showed enough last season, though, that he has to be a consideration. At the very least, he figures to be a strong practice squad candidate.