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RB Gary Brightwell, CB Rodarius Williams add depth

GARY-BRIGHTWELL

In the sixth round of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected two players, running back Gary Brightwell of Arizona, and Oklahoma State cornerback Rodarius Williams.

Brightwell did not become Arizona's full-time running back until his senior season, when he started all five games they played, and gained 390 yards on 88 carries. He has a lot of tread left on the tire, only rushing the ball 245 times for 1305 yards over four years.

According to Pro Football Focus, Brightwell showed the ability to run through contact in his senior season. He forced 28 missed tackles, which equates to nearly one broken tackle for every three times he carried the ball. He had four rushes of 20 or more yards and another 10 between 10-19 yards.

Brightwell caught 16 passes on 19 targets in his final two seasons at Arizona with three drops, according to PFF. He had one receiving touchdown and managed 81 yards after contact on those catches. Brightwell started his Arizona career as a slot receiver, but moved to running back, which was his position in high school, as a sophomore.

Brightwell was a mainstay on special teams for Arizona, taking 129 snaps on the kick return team, 68 on kick coverage, 140 on punt coverage, and 51 on punt return in his four years as a Wildcat.

Brightwell joins a running back room with Saquon Barkley, Devontae Booker, Jordan Chunn, Taquan Mizzell, Eijhaa Penny and Sandro Platzgummer. He should also be a core special teams player.

View photos of Giants sixth-round pick Gary Brightwell.

Rodarius Williams set the Oklahoma State record for most consecutive starts with 48. He is the older brother of Browns cornerback Greedy Williams and will turn 25 years old in September.

The Giants' draft pick started every game of his career, beginning with his 2017 red shirt freshman season, totaling 33 passes defended and two interceptions. He was second team All-Big 12 in his final season and led the team in passes defended.

As a senior, Williams allowed only 11 catches on 27 targets for 154 yards in nine games, according to PFF. He was primarily an outside cornerback, splitting his time between the right and left sides. The Cowboys played a variety of zone and man coverages in his time there and played Cover-1 or Cover-0 just under 40% of the time in his senior season.

Williams will join fellow rookie and third-round pick Aaron Robinson, Adoree' Jackson, James Bradberry, Darnay Holmes, Isaac Yiadom, Jarren Williams, Sam Beal, Chris Milton, and Madre Harper in the cornerback room. He is likely to complete as outside depth behind Jackson and Bradberry.

View photos of Giants sixth-round pick Rodarius Williams.

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