The New York Giants were in the market for a tight end and Rhett Ellison will be their guy.
Minnesota Vikings’ tight end/fullback Rhett Ellison is on the move to join the New York Giants. Ellison has inked a four-year, $18 million deal pact with the team. The contract guarantees $8 million in salary.
Giants checked out all levels of the TE market. A guy they're honing in on: Rhett Ellison, who was a FB/TE hybrid guy for the Vikings.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
With the Vikings last season, Ellison caught nine passes for 57 yards and added a one-yard touchdown run to his stat line. He’s the kind of hard-nosed blocker in the run game which the Giants desperately need. In 2015, he clocked in as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-best blocking tight end.
Big Blue had previously shown interest in several other free agent tight ends such as Martellus Bennett, Jack Doyle, and Anthony Fasano. However, it seems New York quickly realized those names would likely be out of their price range. Ellison, a versatile player who fits the Giants’ scheme, was the more cost-effective option for the team.
Ellison’s skill set is nearly identical to that of another Giants’ player, Will Johnson. Though he spent all of 2016 on injured reserve, Johnson was a capable tight end/fullback hybrid during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s unclear wether or not the Giants plan on keeping both players, or if the two will compete for a roster spot in training camp.
