Remember D.J. James? That dude the Seattle Seahawks snagged in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft? Well, after a couple years grinding it out, he’s officially back in the NFL mix, signing with the New York Giants. This isn’t just some ho-hum roster transaction; for James, it’s a massive shot at finally making a splash after what’s been a seriously tough path. You gotta be pumped for the guy!
From Emerald City Hopes to a New York Hustle
Man, it feels like just yesterday we were hyping up James, who balled out in college for both Oregon and Auburn, thinking he could be a steal for us here in the Emerald City. But after that 2024 draft, things just didn’t quite stick with the Hawks. He spent the last two years out there, putting in the work on the New England Patriots practice squad. And get this: most recently, he was down in the UFL, playing for the Orlando Storm. The guy hasn’t even logged a single snap in a regular-season NFL game yet, which totally tells you how much is riding on this Giants opportunity. He was one of a bunch of players who tried out on Tuesday, and Big Blue clearly saw something they liked. Seriously, how can you not root for a comeback story like that?
Giants Scramble Their Defensive Backfield Amidst Brutal Injuries
Now, the Giants didn’t just bring in James; they’re pulling off a full-on flurry of roster moves, scrambling to get their training camp roster sorted. They also snatched up another cornerback, David Long, who’s packing way more NFL mileage than James. Long, a third-round pick by the Rams back in 2019, has already racked up 80 NFL games to his credit. He’s a 28-year-old veteran, and get this: the Giants will be his seventh team in his seven-year career, and he even had a brief stint with them in 2024. Talk about a guy who’s seen it all and knows how to adapt!
This whole roster shake-up comes at a brutal time for the Giants, who are dealing with some rough injury luck. They’ve moved defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris to injured reserve, which means his season is absolutely over after he blew out his Achilles earlier this year in workouts. Dude, that’s just crushing, especially since the Giants were apparently holding out hope he could make a return. Plus, wide receiver Beaux Collins, a former Notre Dame standout who was the only undrafted player to actually make their 53-man roster last summer, got waived while he was listed as injured. He played nine games in 2025 before getting sidelined on IR with a neck injury. It’s a grinder of a business, and the Giants are clearly desperate to find some healthy bodies ready to play.
What’s Next for James and the Big Blue Grind
For D.J. James, this is it: training camp, the ultimate proving ground. It’s his shot to show everyone he belongs in the big leagues. For the Giants, they’re banking on these new defensive backs, especially a hungry guy like James with fresh legs and everything to prove, to step up and plug some critical holes. It’s August, the camp grind is super real, and every single rep, every single practice play, counts. Can James finally crack an NFL roster and make his dream a reality? You bet your blue and green heart we’ll be keeping a close eye on this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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