As part of a flurry of moves on Thursday, the New York Giants signed cornerback Amani Oruwariye, who was previously with the Detroit Lions.
Oruwariye becomes the most likely option to start alongside Adoree’ Jackson in 2023, filling that much-needed CB2 role. But the job won’t be handed to him — he’ll still have to beat out several other players in training camp.
Here are four quick things to know about Oruwariye.
Saquon Barkley's Penn State teammate
Oruwariye attended college at Penn State University from 2014-2018 where he was a teammate of Saquon Barkley (from 2015 through 2017).
In addition to Barkley, Oruwariye also played alongside Giants linebacker Cam Brown during their time at PSU.
Oruwariye earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 and First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018.
Fifth-round draft pick
After five seasons at Penn State, Oruwariye declared for the 2019 NFL draft and was eventually selected in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions.
Prior to the draft, NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein gave Oruwariye a pro comparison of Rasul Douglas.
He can be an effective press-man defender, but must win at the line of scrimmage or he could become an early target for quarterbacks as he lacks makeup speed once he’s beaten. Oruwariye is a proven disruptor at the catch point and is willing to step up and take on run support duties. When all factors are considered, he’ll be considered a scheme fit for zone-heavy teams who covet physicality in press.
Penalties a problem
Oruwariye has dealt with penalty issues throughout his career and they seem to be getting worse as opposed to better.
He was penalized seven times in 2020, eight times in 2021, and 10 times in 2022. Those 10 penalties were tied for most among cornerbacks last season.
When Oruwariye is beaten, he has a tendency to grab and/or hold. It’s an issue the Giants will need to address.
Benched in 2022
Back in 2021, many expected the Lions to sign Oruwariye to a long-term, big-money contract. He was viewed as their CB1 and the future was bright.
However, things took a turn late and got even worse last season.
Oruwariye lost his job as the CB1 and was promptly demoted from CB2. He was eventually benched outright, which was a swift fall from grace.
“This isn’t the end for me at all,” he said at the time. “Just a bump in the road, just adversity, just testing me, making me remind myself you can’t take any day for granted and that was good.”
Arguably, Oruwariye lost some confidence and was able to own up to his lackluster play. With the Giants, he will receive a fresh start and be given a chance to revitalize his career.
