ESPN taps Daniel Bellinger as Giants' surprise offseason standout
The 2022 NFL season is inching closer and closer.
Training camp kicks off in less than three weeks, as the first practice will take place on Wednesday, July 27 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
ESPN's NFL Nation reporters went through the league and selected a surprise offseason standout from each team. When it came to the Giants, Jordan Raanan went with rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger.
"The rookie fourth-round pick got plenty of opportunities with the first team this spring and caught the ball well," Raanan says. "It seems likely, given his hands and the way he was moving at OTAs and minicamp, he was underutilized at San Diego State. It bodes well for Bellinger's chances to make an impact as a rookie. The Giants certainly have an opening at the position, and it appears Bellinger made a strong first impression. -
Bellinger was underutilized at San Diego State. However, the tight end did see his usage in the passing game increase each season with the Aztecs. He caught 31 of 43 targets for 357 yards in 2021 while not dropping a single pass. In fact, Bellinger registered a drop rate of just 4.2 percent in college, the top mark among tight ends in the 2022 draft.
Bellinger finished his collegiate career with 68 receptions for 771 yards and five touchdowns. The Giants hope the rookie tight end undergoes a similar ascension under Daboll as Dawson Knox, who caught nine touchdown passes for the Bills last season.
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
Brandt Morgan, Devian Parker-Rogers show 'Heart of a Giant'
Most people would give up if they had to run in the cleats of Brandt Morgan and Devian Parker-Rogers, but not everyone has the Heart of a Giant.
Each year, the New York Giants, Hospital for Special Surgery, and USA Football present the Heart of a Giant Award to high school players who demonstrate a relentless work ethic and unmatched love for the game in the face of adversity.
As co-winners of last year's award, Morgan and Parker-Rogers recently helped kick off the upcoming football season at the 2022 Heart of a Giant Spring Clinic at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. In addition to taking in the day of education and training, they spoke to the group of 40 coaches and captains from local high school football teams.
"You can think that you're at your worst, you can think that everything is over, but there's always a light at the end of the tunnel," Morgan said. "People told me I wouldn't play football again and I was crazy for even saying that, but now I'm back trying to be the starting quarterback."
"I am extremely thankful for the way football changed my life," Parker-Rogers said. "Without football and all the brothers I gained over the years, I wouldn't have become the high-achieving young man that I am today."
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