The New York Giants believe they had a solid draft in 2022 but the jury is still out as all but one of their 11 picks (linebacker Micah McFadden) missed time due to injury.
One of those players was tight end Daniel Bellinger, a fourth-round pick out of San Diego State.
Bellinger was flashing early last season before he was poked in the eye during the Giants’ Week 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars by linebacker Devin Lloyd, fracturing his eye socket and sidling him for the next month.
Bellinger returned in Week 12 and continued to be a key contributor on offense. But in this day and age, teams need more than just one tight end, hence the Giants’ trade this offseason for Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowler Darren Waller, which has clouded Bellinger’s role a bit.
Bellinger is likely to be the blocking tight end to Waller’s receiving. Knowing the change was coming, he has bulked up his 6-foot-5, 253-pound frame this offseason to prepare himself for the extra workload and contact.
To say he looks jacked would be an understatement.
Daniel Bellinger as a rookie vs. Daniel Bellinger at today's OTA (photo credit via #NYGiants)#armday pic.twitter.com/pF8OfueXFz
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) June 2, 2023
Bellinger’s body transformation story is nothing new for second-year NFL players. Many players come into the league with room to grow and after a year in a professional training and conditioning program, they harden up their bodies to withstand life in the NFL.
Still, Bellinger should expect a call from the NFL with a request for a “random” drug test.
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