Report: Giants Sign DT Who Is Considered “Quick & Strong as an Ox.”
After rookie minicamp, the New York Giants added another undrafted prospect, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, an NFL insider.
Wilson reported on May 12 that the “Giants signing former @SMUFB defensive lineman Elijah Chatman after a successful rookie minicamp,” using Chatman’s agent @OSMG_LLC as the source.
Soon after, Paul Dottino, the beat writer for the Giants on WFAN, offered a quick scouting report on Chatman’s performance this past weekend in his commentary on the news.
He said, “NYGiants add rookie DT ‘Baby Bison’ Chatman to the roster.” “6-0 and 278. Swift and powerful like an ox. Also participated in some fullback snaps at SMU.”
Compared to other first-year players, Chatman has a lot of experience because he played in 60 games throughout his five seasons at SMU. The new NYG UDFA totaled 34.0 tackles for a loss (0.57 per game and just under 7.0 per season) throughout his NCAA career. He also recorded 13.5 sacks (2.7 per season), one forced turnover, five recovered fumbles, one block, and 148 total tackles (2.47 per game, 29.6 per season).
As a graduate student in 2023, Chatman was selected to the All-AAC First Team (9 TFLs, 4.5 sacks). In addition, he was named to the DCTF All-Texas Second Team in 2022 and the All-AAC Second Team in 2021 and 2022.
UDFA New Giants Elijah Chatman stands out as a promising nose tackle prospect with exceptional strength and instincts.
Chatman was viewed by NFL Draft Buzz as more of an A-Gap or nose tackle.
They said, “Chatman is remarkably instinctive, with a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender.” “Lower than offensive lineman on every short-yardage play [with] good agility and ability to change direction for his size,” the SMU graduate is added.
In addition, NFL Draft Buzz praised Chatman’s motor as “excellent,” which contributes to his successful minicamp audition.
Concerning shortcomings, Chatman “needs to make better use of his hands” and “has to develop a counter move or two in the pass rush,” according to the scouting website. Additionally, they said, “He moves in a straight line and lacks the range to pursue.”
Chatman, Elijah ranked 58th on “Freaks List” created by Bruce Feldman Bruce Feldman of The Athletic stated that before to the 2023 season, Chatman was regarded as one of the top 100 athletic freaks of 2023. The SMU defender, who was ranked No. 58 overall, almost made it into the top 50.
Feldman reasoned, “At 6-0, 278 pounds, he’s not one of the bigger defensive tackles in FBS, but few are as strong.” “The SMU staff believes he will be about 45 the next time he tests. He has completed 42 reps of 225 and 505 pounds on the bench press. They claim that he only performs 185-pound dumbbell rows as a challenge.
The NFL writer concluded, “Chatman, who made 39 tackles with four TFLs and three sacks last year, also vertical-jumped 32 inches, power-cleaned 365, and back-squatted 655.”
Over time, Feldman’s defining feature for The Athletic, the “Freaks List,” has gained credibility in the NFL draft world. Rome Odunze, a Washington wide receiver selected in the first round of the 2023 draft, was ranked just above Chatman.
Giants Need to Clear Out Elijah Chatman’s Roster Spot Following Signing
The Giants will need to create room for Chatman on the 90-man roster, much as they did with journeyman quarterback Nathan Rourke and veteran wide out Allen Robinson.
That matching cut or injury designation might be made tomorrow, on May 13, or as early as this evening, on May 12.
The Giants’ interior defensive line is presently made up of Ryder Anderson, Timmy Horne, and recently signed Casey Rogers via the UDFA program. Nevertheless, they have the option to split ways with a player who plays a different position.
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