The New York Giants made a series of roster moves on Monday, June 11. They signed free agent cornerback Kenneth Durden and offensive tackle Jarron Jones while also parting ways with rookie free agent offensive tackle Tyler Howell.
None of the three players that were involved in Monday’s transactions have any NFL regular season game experience so while these aren’t earth-shattering moves, it at least brings more competition with two new players as mandatory minicamp begins for the Giants on Tuesday.
Competition, especially at two key positions such as offensive tackle and cornerback, are necessities for a team that struggled to the tune of a 3-13 season in 2017.
Kenneth Durden - CB
The 26-year-old Durden (6'1", 180 lbs.) signed as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2016. He spent the entire year with their practice squad and was released right before the beginning of the 2017 season. Three days later, he signed with the Tennessee Titans and joined their practice squad. He was released a little less than a month later by Tennessee. Durden played collegiately at South Florida in 2012 and 2013. During those two seasons, he recorded 42 tackles and an interception. He was later arrested for marijuana possession and transferred to Youngstown State.
Jarron Jones - OT
Jones, listed at 6'6", 320 lbs., originally signed with the Giants in May of 2017 as an undrafted free agent.
After appearing in all four preseason games for them last season, the team cut him on September 3. The next day, he signed to be a part of the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. Eight days later, he was released. On September 20, he found his next residence as he joined the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad where he remained for the rest of the season.
Dallas cut Jones on May 21.
Jones played his college football at Notre Dame where he was utilized as a defensive tackle. While playing for them, he had 105 tackles and 4.5 sacks. With the offensive line struggles that the Giants encountered last season, there is no harm in bringing in able bodies such as his to compete.
Tyler Howell - OT
Howell, who went undrafted in this April’s draft, was signed as a rookie free agent on May 10. The offensive tackle played for Missouri in college after originally going to Butler County College in Kansas. The Giants no longer felt the need to keep him on the roster with their signing of fellow offensive tackle Jones as well on Monday.
