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New York Giants Give Exclusive Rights Tender To Orleans Darkwa, Six Others

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants tendered contracts to seven exclusive rights free agents, headlined by running back Orleans Darkwa.

The New York Giants are in the early stages of their process to improve their roster after another disappointing season, as they finished 2015 6-10. The Giants need an infusion of talent throughout their roster, but there are some younger players that showed promise when pressed into unexpected playing time last season. It is a necessity to have some lower salaried players be productive, and that is what the Giants are hoping they have in this group of players.

The Giants tendered a contract to seven players that were exclusive rights free agents according to Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com. The exclusive rights tender is a one-year contract worth the minimum salary. The salary is dependent on how many years of NFL experience that a player has, and is also non-guaranteed.

One of the players that received the tender is second-year running back Orleans Darkwa. Darkwa, who was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2014, was signed by the Giants midway through that season off their practice squad. He will earn $600,000 this season, as that is the minimum salary for a player with two years of experience.

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Darkwa has been a strong special teams performer for the Giants ever since they signed him away from the Dolphins. But, he also showed well during the preseason last year out of the backfield, and found himself as part of a four-mad rotation in the backfield for the Giants at parts of the season. He received 36 carries, rushing for 153 yards and one touchdown on the season. He should challenge for carries once again next season.

In addition to Darkwa, the Giants also tendered a contract to wide receiver Myles White, tight ends Will Tye and Jerome Cunningham, safety Bennett Jackson, offensive lineman Adam Gettis and punter Brad Wing. White, Tye and Cunningham were forced into bigger roles last season than the Giants would have liked, as injuries decimated the Giants at certain positions. White was added from the Green Bay Packers after the first month of the season, but found himself on the field quickly after that as the Giants were limited at receiver.

Wing proved to be a strong pickup by the Giants, as he was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason. He replaced fan favorite Steve Weatherford, whose production was no longer matching up with what he was getting paid. Jackson, a cornerback coming out of Notre Dame, was being converted to safety and in the running for a starting job before blowing out his knee in preseason.

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All seven players should remain on the Giants for 2016 despite not having guaranteed contracts. They all earned a spot on the team with their play last season and deserve at least a chance to play themselves more onto the roster.

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