Giants’ roster moves: RB Tavien Feaster added, WR Tony Brown waived

One of the constants over the last few years has been the New York Giants continuing to tinker with the back end of their roster. Thursday they added running back Tavien Feaster, formally of Clemson and South Carolina.

Feaster participated in Thursday’s practice.

[Update] The Giants have released WR Tony Brown in a corresponding roster move.

Feaster was originally signed as a UDFA by the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2020 NFL Draft, but the Jags released him on Aug. 8 as they cut down to their 80-man roster number.

Feaster began his college career at Clemson, backing up Wayne Gallman Jr. in 2016 before sharing the backfield with Travis Etienne in 2017 and 2018. Feaster transferred to in-state, but out of conference, rival South Carolina for his senior season in search of more consistent playing time. Last year he carried the ball 124 times of 672 yards (both career highs), for 5.4 yards per carry and 5 touchdowns.

Feaster was recruited as an “All Purpose Back” out of high school, and while he isn’t known for his receiving ability, he can catch the ball, notching 40 receptions for 270 yards (6.8 per catch) over his collegiate career.

At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds and running a 40-yard dash between 4.36 and 4.47 seconds at a virtual pro day, Feaster is a capable inside runner and shows good contact balance to run through glancing blows. However, he doesn’t have great lateral agility, which might limit him to man-gap or inside zone runs.

That’s a niche currently occupied by Gallman, and the Giants are likely hoping that renewed competition will push both players.