The Giants on Friday continued to add to their depth at positions of need. They are bringing in a local product, Chris Manhert — a tight end who grew up in The Bronx — and added guard Aaron Stinnie, who once started in a Super Bowl for the Buccaneers, and Austin Schlottmann, a center with position versatility.
Manhertz, 31, is a nine-year NFL veteran with an unusual backstory, He played basketball at Cardinal Spellman High School and also in college at Canisius. He took up football after that and carved out a career as a blocking tight end with the Saints, Panthers, Jaguars and last season with the Broncos.
In 120 NFL games (53 starts), Manhertz has 26 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He has been remarkably durable, playing no fewer than 15 games in each of the past seven seasons. He was released by the Broncos earlier this week.
Manhertz received a one-year, veteran minimum deal for $1.2 million.
This is the second tight end the Giants added this week, having signed Jack Stoll, 26, on Thursday.
Stoll played the last three years for the Eagles and had 20 receptions for 183 yards. The Giants this week also re-signed tight end Lawrence Cager.
The Giants after a frenzied start to free agency are now filling the back end of their roster. They do not know the status of their starting tight end, Darren Waller, who is contemplating retirement.
At present, Daniel Bellinger, entering his third year with the team, would be their starter at the position.
Stinnie, 30, went undrafted out of James Madison and played two seasons with the Titans and the past five years with the Buccaneers.
He made 11 of his 12 career regular-season starts in 2023. After the 2020 season, Stinnie was called on when Alex Cappa suffered a fractured ankle in a wild-card game and Stinnie moved in as the starting right guard for three consecutive postseason games, including the Super Bowl LV victory over the Chiefs.\
Stinnie received a one-year deal for $1.2 million.
He can be viewed as a less-expensive alternative to Ben Bredeson, who started 16 games in 2023, splitting time between right guard, left guard and center.
Bredeson on Friday agreed to a one-year deal with the Bucs. The contract is worth up to $3.5 million, according to NFL Network.
Schlottmann, 28, received a two-year deal. He spent three years with the Broncos and the past two seasons with the Vikings.
Schlottmann figures to slide in as a backup center option behind John Michael Schmitz. He has 14 NFL starts and also can play guard.
