This longshot from North Jersey has a chance to impress the New York Giants at rookie camp
EAST RUTHERFORD - Christian Dremel is embracing this life as an NFL long shot.
The wide receiver and punt returner spent last weekend in Kansas City, one of 60 rookie tryouts - yes, you read that correctly - fighting for reps and a chance to impress Andy Reid and Chiefs' brass.
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Despite a good showing, the quest for a contract was an empty one.
That sets the stage for another audition plenty closer to home.
From a walk-on at Rutgers from Don Bosco to a shot at the NFL, Dremel hopes to make the most of his tryout at the New York Giants' rookie camp this weekend.
"I guess I'm not supposed to be here, but I feel like I've been through this my whole career," Dremel said. "This is obviously a dream come true just to have this opportunity, to have this chance and compete to be on one of the 32 teams in the NFL. Had a chance to put on a Chiefs helmet and run around and play football last week, and now I'm excited to try and make the Giants. Something I've learned, when you're fighting for everything, you've got to take it one day at a time by focusing on one thing at a time. Every play, every day, adapt to that mindset."
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Christian Dremel (80) against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Rookies across the league are reporting for their first pro workouts. For some, their names were called in the draft. This will be the first time for potential franchise cornerstones like Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart to step on the field as Giants.
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For others, undrafted free agents signed as the festivities finished up two weeks ago.
Then there are those like Dremel, determined to forge ahead in spite of the odds against them.
St. Joseph at Don Bosco on Friday, October 12, 2018. DB #13 Christian Dremel avoids a tackle by SJ #40 Justin Malvasia in the second quarter. St Joseph At Don Bosco Hs Football
'From when he was at Don Bosco, I coached against him, and at the time, it was like, 'Who's this little runt, all of 115 pounds or so, making every play,' he made you notice him,' former Bergen Catholic coach and current Syracuse quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile told NorthJersey.com and The Record. 'I ended up going to Rutgers, and was involved in recruiting, we wanted to build up the walk-on pool, and to me, [Dremel] was one of those guys, he has such a strong will and great work ethic, he could handle that challenge. I remember telling him, 'You have to make it so we can't not give you a scholarship,' and that was the mindset.'
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It's not an easy road to travel, but Dremel knows it is possible.
Elijah Chatman arrived for Giants rookie camp a year ago with promise of untapped potential and a promise from renowned defensive line coach Andre Patterson that he would get a fair look. He wound up earning a contract, then a spot on the 53-man roster and played in all 17 games with three starts.
Giants coach Brian Daboll showed highlight plays from Chatman and Ryder Anderson, who made the team as an undrafted rookie three years ago, to the rookies in a team meeting Friday morning.
Could Dremel impress the Giants enough? Maybe. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder had a strong performance at the team's local pro day as a punt returner and Big Blue did not draft a wide receiver, so for depth purposes, general manager Joe Schoen may be open to bringing in receivers to challenge the back end of the position.
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Two seasons ago, Dremel took a significant step forward in production at Rutgers, as he started all 12 games and finished as the team's leading receiver with 34 catches for 440 yards and three touchdowns. He had just one catch during the 2022 season before his breakout. Then, after deciding to return to Rutgers for one final year, Dremel ended up spending much of the season doing whatever he could to maximize his opportunities.
Eat Rutherford, NJ -- May 9, 2025 -- Wide receiver, Christian Dremel during practice at Giants Rookie Minicamp.
"Preparation - that's the way I'm gonna impress," Dremel said. "I'm not going to walk out there, and people are going to look at me and say, 'Oh wow, who's this guy?' My approach to meetings, how I carry myself with the other guys, that's going to matter. Football wise, it's about running routes, catching the ball, showing great fundamentals and not making the moment bigger than it needs to be."
Like countless others across the league, that's what this comes down to: Dremel just wants a chance.
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"This is a big deal in its own right, I know that," he said. "But I've prepared my whole life for this. I'm ready to give it my best shot and see where it takes me."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Christian Dremel: His long shot journey to chance at making NY Giants
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