NFL

Giants ‘loving’ what they see from TE Larry Donnell

Larry Donnell sits atop the Giants’ tight-end depth chart two days before the exhibition opener against the Bills at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. But he’s more concerned where he is Sept. 8, when Big Blue will be in Detroit for the regular-season opener.

“It doesn’t mean much,” the second-year pro from Grambling said about leading the Giants’ jumbled tight-end competition before practice on Thursday. “I don’t really look into that.”

Donnell is one of five Giants in the mix for the vacant tight-end job, along with Kellen Davis, Daniel Fells, Adrien Robinson and Xavier Grimble, an unheralded group in which Donnell is the greatest unknown. Robinson was a fourth-round pick while veterans Davis and Fells have started for NFL teams.

Soft-spoken and humble, Donnell was asked why he should be the team’s starter when the Giants kick off for real, and he praised the guys he’s battling against. That doesn’t mean he’s not determined to win the job, however.

“Every time you step on the field, you’re trying to show something,” he said.

“I’m just trying to grow as a player, bridge the gap from last year to this year, become a better overall player.

“It’s a big opportunity. Nothing in this league is promised. [When] opportunity [comes], you just make the best of it.”

And while it’s early in training camp, he has made an impression.

On Tuesday, he hauled in a one-handed touchdown with his left hand on a fade route in the corner of the end zone, using his strength to hold off safety Cooper Taylor.

“Doing that type of stuff, it lets you know it can be done,” Donnell said.

“When it’s time for it, you don’t think about it. You just go up and make the play.”

On Thursday, he had a nice touchdown catch on a seam route over the middle in traffic, another productive practice for Donnell in what is becoming a habit.

“He’s done a nice job, he’s improved,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He’s got to keep going, he’s got a long way to go. I like what I see.”

Safety Antrel Rolle added on ESPN New York radio: “I’m liking Larry Donnell right now. I’m loving him.”

The 25-year-old second-year pro was signed as a rookie free agent last year and had a reserve role. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Alabama product was used on special teams and as a extra blocker, catching three passes for 31 yards in limited duty. He is still learning the position, after arriving at Grambling as a quarterback. He caught just 38 passes at the position across four years in college.

“When I first came here it was a big blur to me,” Donnell said. “I’m still trying to grasp onto it, slowly but surely. I’m trying to build up confidence every day, so I’ll be ready to play. That experience factor helps.”