Life in the NFL boils down to one thing: making the roster.
This is true for all, but especially for rookies. For some, the NFL Draft opens up a lane toward that end goal. For others, an invitation to walk on is all they can ask. It's then up to them to prove their value come autumn.
Making it as an undrafted rookie is no easy task, but it is possible. From Hall of Fame defensive back Emlen Tunnell to wide receiver Victor Cruz, undrafted players make rosters every year, and 2015 likely won't be any different.
Here's a look at undrafted rookie free agents who have made the final cut in Tom Coughlin's tenure with the New York Giants:
Photos of notable Giants undrafted free agents
2014: DE Kerry Wynn, Richmond
2013: CB Charles James, Charleston Southern
2012: DE Adewale Ojomo, Miami
2012: Safety Will Hill, Florida
2012: CB Terrence Frederick, Texas A&M
2011: DE Justin Trattou, Florida
2011: LB Spencer Paysinger, Oregon
2011: FB Henry Hynoski, Pittsburgh
2011: LB Mark Herzlich, Boston College
2011: DT Martin Parker, Richmond
2010: WR Victor Cruz, UMass
2010: CB Brian Jackson, Oklahoma
2010: WR Duke Calhoun, Memphis
2010: TE Jake Ballard, Ohio State
2010: Center Jim Cordle, Ohio State
2009: CB Bruce Johnson, Miami
2009: CB Domonique Johnson, Jackson State
2009: Safety Sha'reff Rashad, Central Florida
2008: DT Jeremy Clark, Alabama
2007: DJ Ware, Georgia
2007: TE Michael Matthews, Georgia Tech
2007: DB Geoffrey Pope, Howard
2007: Criag Dahl, North Dakota State
2006: RB James Sims, Washington
2006: CB Kevin Dockery, Mississippi State
2006: RB Robert Douglas, Memphis
2006: TE Darcy Johnson
2005: LB Chase Blackburn, Akron
2006: Safety James Butler, Georgia Tech
2004: LB Jim Maxwell, Gardner-Webb
2004: QB Jared Lorenzen. Kentucky
2004: OT Jason Hilliard, Louisville
2004: CB Curtis DeLoatch, North Carolina A&T
2004: RB Chris Douglas, Duke
Giants.com takes a look at notable players who went undrafted out of college.
WR Victor Cruz (UMass, 2010)
DB Emlen Tunnell (Iowa, 1948)
DT Jim Burt (Miami, 1981)
P Jeff Feagles (Miami, 1988)
C Shaun O'Hara (Rutgers, 2000)
G Rich Seubert (Western Illinois, 2001)
K Lawrence Tynes (Troy, 2001)
LB Antonio Pierce (Arizona, 2001)
LB Chase Blackburn (Akron, 2005)
DT Damon Harrison
