The New York Giants‘ joint practices with the New York Jets proved to be a scouting win for general manager Joe Schoen, head coach Brian Daboll, and staff.
Saturday, the Giants signed former Jets linebacker Zaire Barnes to the practice squad, after getting an up-close look at the 25-year-old during a pair of joint practices earlier this month.
The 6-foot-1 and 227-pound Barnes is entering his third season after being chosen by the Jets in the sixth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. During his collegiate career, at Western Michigan, Barnes posted 68 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 49 games.
Barnes has yet to make much of an impact at the NFL level, while battling through myriad injuries, including landing on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury last September.
With the versatility to contribute on special teams as well as on defense, having Barnes in the building gives the Giants a developmental player to plug-and-play should either unit suffer an injury in the weeks ahead.
Giants’ Malik Nabers Stepping Into Leadership Role
Luke Hales | GettyGiants legend Carl Banks is impressed by Malik Nabers‘ rare athleticism and special traits.
The Giants will likely funnel much of the vertical passing game through Malik Nabers this season, but the dynamic second-year wide receiver is already emerging as a strong leadership voice as Week 1 approaches.
“They feel like I’m a key factor in this football team,” Nabers told reporters, of his teammates and expectations this season. “So for me to have that also, word play or say so, just speaking out trying to get the team going or if I see anything just saying something. That just goes to show how much my teammates believe in me and they want me to do those types of things. Like you said, I don’t speak a lot but when it’s necessary to speak, I will speak. When things are not going well, I will speak my opinions and try to get everybody on the same page.”
While Nabers’ natural gifts are evident and his field-stretching abilities are things that quarterbacks and offensive coordinators dream of, the former LSU standout admits that leadership hasn’t always come easy for him.
“It’s not natural, personally, but sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone,” Nabers recently told reporters, of stepping out and speaking up as a leader. “If we want everything to go right this season, your best players have to do those things.”
An emerging star at receiver, Nabers caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven thouchdowns in 15 games during a rookie season that was marred by injuries, at times. New York is optimistic that Nabers’ ceiling is even loftier, in part, because of Russell Wilson‘s arrival at quarterback.
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Wilson and Nabers have already struck up a strong chemistry over the past several months.
“I think the best part about it is Malik‘s been a great worker this whole time,” Wilson told reporters. “Ever since coming down to San Diego and all the time we got to spend together and his work ethic there, OTAs, and really just the mentality, even though he wasn’t working physically as much at that point. He was in every meeting, every rep, every discussion, with really great thoughts.
“I think he’s going to have a great year. I think the best part about him is obviously he’s a threat down the field, but he’s also a threat anytime he touches the ball, whether it’s in the short game, mid-range game, all the different things he can do.”
Giants Sign Standout From Joint Practices with Jets to Practice Squad