Dalen Cambre: Long Shot Turned Legitimate Contender for Giants WR Room

From Undrafted Unknown to First-Team Reps

Dalen Cambre entered the NFL as a name few expected to hear past draft weekend. The former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns wide receiver had just 10 career catches to his name, including 5 receptions for 46 yards in 2024 while primarily contributing on special teams. Initially invited to the Carolina Panthers' rookie minicamp, Cambre instead signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Giants—albeit with no guaranteed money.

Despite the long odds, Cambre has turned heads early. His performance in spring practices earned him first-team reps during minicamp, a strong indicator of how seriously the coaching staff is evaluating his potential.

Slot Appeal and Roster Dynamics

Cambre's playing style and positional fit could be working in his favor. While Bryce Ford-Wheaton, his primary competition for a back-end receiver slot, profiles as a bigger-bodied outside receiver, Cambre is a more natural fit in the slot.

This alignment becomes more relevant considering recent developments. Wan'Dale Robinson has expressed interest in expanding his route tree and working more downfield rather than staying strictly in the slot. This shift could create a depth need at the backup slot position—an opportunity Cambre may be uniquely suited to fill.

Special Teams Value is Key

Both Cambre and Ford-Wheaton have been valued for their special teams prowess, but Cambre may have the edge here as well. He was a standout special teamer in college, and that experience is translating well in training camp settings. In today's NFL, where the final wide receiver spots on a roster often come down to special teams value, Cambre’s versatility could push him ahead.

Fantasy Outlook: Deep League Watchlist Candidate

From a fantasy football perspective, Cambre isn’t a player to rush out and grab in shallow leagues. However, in deep formats—especially full PPR settings—he’s worth monitoring closely. Slot receivers tend to rack up targets and catches, particularly in offenses that favor quick, short throws. Should Cambre carve out a rotational or backup role behind the starting trio of Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, and Wan'Dale Robinson, he could become a valuable bench stash.

Jalin Hyatt is currently projected as the next man up on the outside, but Cambre could emerge as the primary backup in the slot, offering a unique skill set not currently duplicated on the roster.

Bottom Line

Dalen Cambre may have entered the NFL as a relative unknown, but his early work with the Giants is building a compelling case for a roster spot. With special teams value, positional flexibility, and a possible opening in the slot, Cambre is more than just a camp body—he’s a legitimate contender for a depth role in New York.

Fantasy managers in deep leagues should keep a close eye on his progress through training camp and preseason. If he sticks, Cambre could be one of those under-the-radar names that pays off in the long run.