The Giants added a pair of defensive backs from the waiver wire Tuesday, picking up safety Beau Brade from the Ravens and cornerback Rico Payton from the Saints.
Both players, notably, also have special teams experience. The Giants will put Payton on injured reserve and move cornerback Korie Black to the practice squad to keep their roster at 53.
Brade, a Maryland product, played 11 games for Baltimore last season after signing as an undrafted free agent, picking up three tackles.
The Giants selected Beau Brade off waivers from the Ravens. Getty Images“Beau Brade, Baltimore Ravens, he’s a player out of Maryland that we spent some time with coming out of the draft, we liked,” general manager Joe Schoen said. “Played on special teams for them last year, so he can be a depth safety for us. High character kid, smart, checked all those boxes and can also participate on special teams.”
Payton, 25, featured in 16 games for New Orleans last season and recorded 11 tackles.
The Giants selected Rico Payton off waivers from the Saints. Jon Endow-Imagn ImagesThe Giants had seven defensive backs on their roster after Monday’s cut down day, and it was presumed they would use waivers to add there. That ended up being the only spot they targeted, with Schoen saying the Giants didn’t put in any waiver claims aside from Brade and Payton.
“Rico Payton, a guy that also last year during this time, we were hoping for some of these guys to get cut,” Schoen said. “They end up making teams and playing. Really good special teams player, we also think he has defensive value. Just to upgrade the depth of both of those positions, we’re happy to get those guys.”
Safety Raheem Layne; kicker Jude McAtamney; receivers Lil’Jordan Humphey and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, running back Dante Miller; offensive linemen Bryan Hudson and Jake Kubas; defensive linemen Elijah Chatman, Jordan Riley and Elijah Garcia; linebackers Tomon Fox and Trace Ford; and cornerback Dee Williams were added to the practice squad.
Receiver/kick returner Gunner Olszewski and tight end Theo Johnson missed Wednesday’s practice. Olszewski missed practice because he was temporarily cut as the Giants reshuffled their roster. Johnson is believed to be dealing with an injury.
The Giants were interested in bringing back tight end Greg Dulcich to their practice squad, but he signed with the Dolphins instead.
