The New York Giants will hold their rookie mini-camp on May 9th and 10th. They’ve reportedly offered undrafted free agent contracts to 13 players.
Wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells stands out among the players whom the New York Giants reportedly made offers.
It’s become a fairly common tactic for teams that draft quarterbacks to add familiar faces. The familiarity can help shorten the young quarterback’s development curve and pre-existing chemistry can help both players acclimate to the NFL more quickly.
Wells is that familiar face for new Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, as the two played together at Ole Miss. But will that familiarity be enough for Wells to make an impact on the Giants’ receiving corps?
What does Wells bring?
Wells lacks stand-out size and athleticism checking in at the NFL Scouting Combine at 6-foot¾-inch tall, 201 pounds and with 8⅞-inch hands. Likewise, he had a pretty poor 4.58-second 40 yard dash.
However, he was one of the most explosive receivers in college football last year. Wells was sixth in college football last year in average depth of target at 17.8 yards downfield while also being 16th in yards after catch at 8.3 per reception. His ability to attack downfield and rack up yards after the catch certainly gives credence to the nickname “Juice”.
In his appearance on Jon Gruden’s Quarterback Class, Dart identified Wells as the “savviest” of Ole Miss’ receivers. He understands how to release against off and man coverage, as well as use misdirection to create opportunities for separation. Wells has enough explosiveness to get initial separation out of his breaks, as well as enough speed to maintain it. He also has solid vision as a ball carrier, which helped him pick up those yards after the catch.
As you may expect from a receiver who caught passes nearly 20 yards downfield, he has good ball skills and can locate, track, and adjust to the ball in the air.
Can he stick?
There are reasons why Wells ultimately went undrafted. His size and athletic profile are uninspiring, and he only had 28 receptions despite Tre Harris being lost for four (and a half) games to a groin injury.
However, Wells did have almost 1,000 receiving yards in his first year at South Carolina (2022), and 1,250 yards (and 15 touchdowns) the prior year at James Madison. His 2023 season was cut short by a foot injury, while he was used as primarily a deep threat or screen receiver at Ole Miss.
His production earlier in his career suggests untapped upside, and Wells has a real chance to make waves in the offseason program. And of course, he already has experience catching passes from Dart in games and practice. That rapport could give him a built-in advantage over the other undrafted receivers. Not only will Dart be used to looking for Wells, but the two will already have a feel for timing that could result in eye-catching receptions.
Wells will need to make his hay on special teams, but the potential for explosive plays in camp and preseason gives him a good case.