NY Giants Rookie Report: Beaux (Collins) Knows - Road to the roster is paved in toughness

EAST RUTHERFORD - Beaux Collins has great memories of the last time he was on a team with Kayvon Thibodeaux.

He was in the sixth grade at Palms Middle School in Los Angeles, and Thibodeaux was in the eighth grade, reminding everyone on the basketball court who ruled the gym.

"Kayvon was the biggest kid in school and he was just dunking on people, dominating all those pickup games at lunch," Collins recalled for NorthJersey.com and The Record with a laugh. "Sometimes we were on the same team. Sometimes we were on different teams. But it was ridiculous. I was a slasher, I played around the rim and we both could jump out of the gym. You would've sworn we were playing in the NBA Finals out there. Pretty aggressive, competitive. We all wanted to prove ourselves."

With their paths crossing again, now with the New York Giants, Collins is embracing that same mentality. He is taking the football field every day this summer knowing that, as an undrafted free agent, the NFL remains a long shot, even for someone who finished his college career at Notre Dame.

Make no mistake: Collins has found a way to stand out in his quest to stick with the Giants through six practices of training camp. The more gritty the sessions have gotten, the more praise Collins has earned.

In Tuesday's second padded practice, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Collins was a force as a blocker in the run game. He has seized chances when the coaching staff have asked him to step up with the first-team offense.

He had the most complete practice of anyone on both sides of the ball, earning rousing praise from coaches and teammates after one particular team period in which he made some noise with his pads.

Can Collins do enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster? He's put himself in the conversation, and while it's still early, if the Giants believe they can rely on him to do a little bit of everything, there is value in that in a wide receiver group that is set at the top with Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson expected to command a ton of targets.

Certainly that mission for Collins does not hurt when Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart have both shouted him out.

"I showed flashes in college that I could be a great receiver, but I just wasn't consistent enough," Collins said. "Take advantage of every opportunity and show I can play with toughness and physicality, and I'm just blessed to be here as a New York Giant and I want to do everything I can to stay. The best thing I can do is go out there and show 'em how much I need to be here."

Here's a look at where the rest of the Giants' rookie class stands in terms of impressions made so far this summer:

Abdul Carter, edge

The hype for Carter is warranted, and it's not just from outsiders - the rave reviews are coming from inside the house. Malik Nabers saying this week in his interview with Kay Adams on her "Up and Adams" show that he goes home at night and watches Carter from that day's practice, then calls teammates to point out his exploits says everything you need to know about Carter's start to camp.

"I don't really want to do too much talking about Abdul because he'll show you," Brian Burns said. "I ain't got to talk about him."

Jaxson Dart, quarterback

Dart had his ups and downs, but one thing's for sure: the arrow is pointing up. Some days there are incremental steps and significant leaps on others. There have been good moments, for sure, and those in which he seemed to be operating a half-second behind the defense, taking too much time to read and react. Any slight hesitation in this league can result in disaster, and all of this is expected.

The Giants are going to find ways to challenge Dart, and he's consistently been running the second-team offense. Expect the mistakes to decrease as camp progresses.

Darius Alexander, defensive line

Alexander has the Giants extremely excited about the way he moves up front. He has not flashed dominance yet, but that's to be expected. The more comfortable he gets, the more of an impact he will have. You can still see this is somewhat of a feeling-out process for the third round pick.

Cam Skattebo, running back

Skattebo has emerged as a weapon in the passing game early in camp. He caught a touchdown from Dart to end last Friday's practice in celebration, then came within the top of his right cleat of completing what would have been a spectacular TD reception - again on the final play of practice - on a tip drill, again from Dart.

The exhaustion was written on Skattebo's face after Monday's first padded practice. He brings energy that has already made him a fan favorite, and he showcased a willingness to run the ball between the tackles, and do so with the physicality everyone expects from the former Arizona State star. 

Marcus Mbow, offensive line

Mbow is in line for more significant reps as the Giants move forward here. He is working at both tackle spots and getting great looks against Abdul Carter, who has put Mbow through the wringer at times. Mbow looked good in 1-on-1s, yet there have been times that he has been caught off balance as he adapts to the speed and power. Still, from a technique point, there's a lot to like about Mbow's future.

Thomas Fidone, tight end

The 6-foot-5, 243-pounder is making plays, and it'll be interesting to see how much more effective he will be in preseason games. The position is deep, but Fidone is forcing the issue as a seventh round pick.

Korie Black, cornerback

Black is moving up the depth chart, getting reps on the outside with the second team. He's been opposite both Tae Banks and Cor'Dale Flott, who are battling for first team spots. The seventh round pick from Oklahoma State could be in line for increased visibility and we may see a jump in his play soon.

Da'Quan Felton, wide receiver

Felton has a great frame at 6-foot-5 and 216 pounds, so he stands out physically. Tre Hawkins III had good coverage to deny a Jaxson Dart throw in Felton's direction in the end zone to end Sunday's practice. He has spent some time on the sideline with the training staff.

Dalen Cambre, wide receiver

Cambre was a decorated special teams ace in college, so he could make a move because of the Achilles injury sustained by Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who was placed on IR. He had 10 catches in his entire career at Louisiana, but has continued to surprise with his elusiveness and short-area quickness. Cambre got a shoutout from Jaxson Dart this week and ran with the first team in the slot when Wan'Dale Robinson was limited to individual drills. The presence of the re-signed Gunner Olszewski and a competition with the undrafted Cambre looms.

Jordan Bly, wide receiver

Bly continues to make the most of opportunities with the third team and showed he could be relied upon in late-game situations when Jaxson Dart led a 12-play drive in a "move the ball" period on Sunday.

Juice Wells, wide receiver

Wells has not made much noise so far in camp, but that could change quickly if he gets more opportunities in the slot.

Trace Ford, linebacker

This is a tough spot for Ford, even as he has impressed in third team chances. The undrafted rookie from Oklahoma is fighting for quality reps in the deepest position on the roster - and the best with Burns, Thibodeaux, Carter and Chauncey Golston. 

O'Donnell Fortune, cornerback

Fortune has been battling with the third and fourth teams, and he's yet to push for more opportunities.

TJ Moore, defensive back

Moore earned a spot on the team as a tryout at rookie minicamp and he has consistently been in a rotation in the secondary on the second and third teams. He could get more looks in the nickel.

Makari Paige, safety

Paige has been relatively quiet, so he may need to make some noise in preseason games to have a chance at challenging for the fourth safety spot.

Jermaine Terry, tight end

He's 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, and possesses talent as a dual threat as a receiver and blocker. He's facing an uphill climb in the tight end room right now, though, so practice squad might be the realistic goal.

Jaison Williams, offensive line

The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder from Youngstown State has been working at right guard with the third team.

Rushawn Baker, running back

The undrafted rookie from Elon runs hard. He had some hiccups in the spring as a receiver with drops that are to be expected. But in the padded practices, Baker showed no fear about running inside with power. He'll be an interesting watch in the preseason games in a deep backfield.

Art Stapleton is the Giants beat reporter and NFL columnist for NorthJersey.com and The Record. For unlimited access to all Giants analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and sign up for our All In on NY Giants newsletter.  

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Giants Rookie Report: Beaux Collins knows his path to making the team