The Giants are set to have several position battles take place when training camp kicks off next month, and one of the most intriguing ones appears to be at tight end. Not one of the six tight ends currently on the roster finished last season with the team. This has opened the door for an open competition, with each player bringing something different to the table.
One player who helped himself this spring with a strong overall performance is rookie Daniel Bellinger, who comes from a run-heavy offense at San Diego State.
"Obviously, we wanted to control the game by running the football, and he was a big part of that," SDSU head coach Brady Hoke said on the "Giants Huddle" podcast. "A big part from a leverage standpoint, and just himself, putting himself in great body positions where he could control the line of scrimmage."
The Aztecs made a habit of running the ball early and often, averaging over 40 rush attempts a game in each of the last three seasons. In 2021, SDSU averaged 175.1 yards on 40.6 carries per game, slightly down from their 201.6 rushing yards per game from the previous season.
Throughout his collegiate career, Bellinger showed he was more than capable in the run game. In fact, he would sometimes line up at fullback for the Aztecs due to his success as a lead blocker. Hoke attributed the tight end's production to his strength and grit.
"I think No. 1, his toughness," the Aztecs coach told Lance Medow. "We pride ourselves about being tough and physical as a football team on both sides of the ball and the kicking game. … I tried recruiting him on the defensive side of the ball - part of that was the toughness that he has, his skillset as far as fundamentally and [the] techniques of blocking at the point of attack. We were a Big 12 personnel team, and he fit everything we needed from him, whether it be on the line or off the line."
The 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end, who also improved as a receiver each year, considered forgoing his senior year and entering the draft after the 2020 season. But after conversations with Hoke and the SDSU coaching staff, Bellinger decided to stay for one more season, which appears to have paid off.
"I thought him coming back was huge," Hoke exclaimed. "We had talked about when he said he was going to come back and do all that, we talked about run after catch. I thought that was one place that he really, really improved himself from the '20 season to the '21 season. I thought he did a nice job, I thought his coach did a nice job, with the fundamentals of it. But I thought run after catch, there's some plays in there that he does an unbelievable job taking on the tacklers, but at the same time, using his athleticism to make a short gain to a big gain."
After snaring 21 passes for 203 yards as a junior, Bellinger saw his numbers jump to 31 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns last season. The yardage ranked third on the Aztecs, while his receptions and touchdowns tied for second-most on the team. Additionally, his 9.1 yards after the catch per reception was one of the highest marks at the tight end position in the nation. More notably, Bellinger had no drops in 12 games last year and finished his college career with just three.
"No. 1, it comes down to competitiveness and the competitor running correct routes, your release from the line of scrimmage," said Hoke. "I think all of those things are things that goes back to Dan and Dan's No. 1 leadership, his expectations and standards, that he has for himself. I've been coaching for a long time, and he's one of those guys that you wish you had more of them over the years…
"He's a competitor. He's going to be physical. He's going to have a mindset that those 50-50 balls, whatever you want to call them, he's going to fight like hell to come down with the football."
With the nature of the NFL having become more of a passing league in recent years, tight ends who can block and catch at a high level have become more unique. Not surprisingly, Hoke believes Bellinger's skill set will fit in perfectly with the Giants' offensive system.
"There are few and far between when you look at offensively in the National Football League and what people are trying to obtain and what they're trying to do," Hoke stated about the tight end position. "Obviously, the Giants are a great organization. They want an on-the-line tight end to be part of what they're doing. I think that clearly fits into Dan's strengths, and I think obviously, they're going to be really, really happy about what they have."
On the day he was drafted, Bellinger was asked about modeling his game after any pro tight ends. The first player he mentioned should not come as a surprise to anyone.
"The guy I watched a lot, especially the last few years, is definitely George Kittle," he told reporters last month. "He's a guy that can do both. When I think of George Kittle, I think of a great run blocker and a pass catcher."
In addition to similar abilities on the field, it appears as if both tight ends share some similarities off the field, as well. Kittle has been a team captain for the 49ers in each of the last four seasons. Bellinger was voted a team captain for the Aztecs in 2021, something Hoke attributed to the young man's leadership skills, in addition to his mental and physical toughness.
Coincidentally, Bellinger and Kittle will both be attending Tight End University in Nashville later this week. Hoke has confidence that over time, Bellinger could grow and develop into a player like the three-time Pro Bowl selection.
"I don't think there's any doubt about it," the SDSU coach stated. "I think that is probably a good comparison. With Dan, he'll just continue to improve. He'll get better, he'll pick up systems and what the offense is trying to accomplish. I think everyone will be real excited about how he will fit in."
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View photos of the the Giants' 2022 draft class on the practice field during spring workouts.
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal (70) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
S Dane Belton (36)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
Marcus McKethan during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
LB Darrian Beavers (41)
Steve Smith, WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75)
S Dane Belton (36)
New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (43) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
OT Evan Neal (70)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OL Marcus McKethan (60)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Darrian Beavers (41)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
S Dane Belton (36)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
OT Evan Neal (70)
OL Marcus McKethan (60)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
G Joshua Ezeudu (75)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)2
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OL Marcus McKethan (60)
LB Darrian Beavers (41)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
S Dane Belton (36)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
S Dane Belton (36)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
LB Darrin Beavers (41)
LB Darrin Beavers (41)
S Dane Belton (36)
S Dane Belton (36)
S Dane Belton (36)
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal (70) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
S Dane Belton (36)
DL D.J. Davidson (98) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
S Dane Belton (36)
New York Giants offensive lineman Marcus McKethan (60) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
OL Marcus McKethan
OL Marcus McKethan
OL Evan Neal (70)
LB Micah McFadden (43)
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal (70) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OL Evan Neal (70)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal (70) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 23, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Dane Belton during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) huddles with teammates during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 19, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DL D.J. Davidson (98) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants corner back Cor'Dale Flott (28) during Minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 23, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DL D.J. Davidson (98) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during Minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 19, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
S Dane Belton (36) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
S Dane Belton (36) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal (70) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson talks with offensive lineman Evan Neal (70) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
TE Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
TE Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal (70) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Cor'Dale Flott during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
DB Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday May 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Cor'Dale Flott during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Dane Belton during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Joshua Ezeudu during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Evan Neal during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Bellinger during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darrian Beavers during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Bellinger during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Joshua Ezeudu during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Bellinger during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Joshua Ezeudu during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Micah McFadden during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Micah McFadden during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Cor'Dale Flott during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Evan Neal during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Marcus McKethan during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday June 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
D.J. Davidson during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday May 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Darrian Beavers (41) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday June 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Darrian Beavers (41) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday June 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Wan'Dale Robinson during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (43) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday June 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Bellinger during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darrian Beavers during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Bellinger during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Darrian Beavers (41) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday June 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Cor'Dale Flott during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darrian Beavers during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Wan'Dale Robinson (17) talks with running backs coach Deandre Smith during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Evan Neal (70) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darrian Beavers during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive lineman D.J. Davidson (98) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Evan Neal (70) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darrian Beavers during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Wan'Dale Robinson during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday May 13, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants corner back Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday June 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Dane Belton (36) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants corner back Cor'Dale Flott (28) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Dane Belton (36) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday May 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive lineman D.J. Davidson (98) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during organized team activity at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday June 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
