Could ‘explosive’ UDFA DT Elijah Chatman earn a spot on Giants’ 53-man roster?

Sometimes all a player needs is a chance. Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Elijah Chatman got one at New York Giants rookie mini-camp, and turned that into a spot on the team’s 90-man roster.

Now, can Chatman do even more with that opportunity? Let’s discuss Chatman as we continue rolling through player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.

The skinny

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 278
Opening day age: 23
Position: Defensive tackle
Experience: Rookie
Contract: Year 1 of three-year, $2.831 million UDFA deal | 2024 cap hit: $795,333 | Guaranteed: $1,000

Career to date

Chatman’s ability to explode out of his stance and deliver a forceful strike was on display during his tryout.

“Elijah is explosive and strong. When you watch him play on film, he plays big for someone that’s short,” said defensive line coach Andre Patterson. “I always say this. There’s a difference between being short and little. He’s short. He’s not small. And he’s explosive.”

Patterson played 56 collegiate games over five seasons at SMU. He talled 148 tackles (98 solo), 33 tackles for loss and 13.5 quarterback sacks.

2024 outlook

Chatman and Casey Rogers are a pair of undrafted free agent defensive tackles perhaps vying for one 53-man roster or practice squad spot.

There might be a place for one of them.

Beyond Dexter Lawrence and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, the defensive depth chart is unsettled. Jordan Phillips is a veteran who should win a roster spot. Beyond them, Ryder Anderson, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley and perhaps Timmy Horne are the competitors for the remaining spots. None of them has a resume demanding of a roster spot.