As part of The Post’s preview of the 2022 NFL Draft, we examine what the Giants could do at each position. Today: specialists
When the former Giants front office signed kicker Graham Gano in the summer of 2020 it didn’t feel like a sure thing. Gano was 33 and had missed the entire 2019 season with a fractured left thigh. As it turns out, this is one of the few gifts the old regime bequeathed to the new regime.
Gano has hit 60 of his 65 field goal attempts (92.3 percent) in his two seasons with the Giants and is a long-range weapon. He’s 14-to-14 when kicking 40-49 yards and 12-to-16 when kicking 50+ yards. He’s also able to adjust his kickoffs each week to fit the schedule and plan of attack.
Graham Gano prepares for kickoff for the New York Giants. Getty Images
The decision was made by this new group to walk away from punter Riley Dixonwho’s done the job for the past four seasons but has struggled with inconsistencies in 2021. He landed on his feet and signed with the Super Bowl champion Rams.
Jamie Gillan was signed for the Browns after averaging 44.8 yards over the past three seasons. A former rugby player, he was born in Inverness, Scotland and is known as the ‘Scottish Hammer’. Gano was also born in Scotland – what are the odds? Would the Giants actually take a punter on Day 3, like e.g Matt Araiza of the State of San Diego or Jordan Stark from Penn State? Unlikely, but they want to give Gillan some competition.