This hardly was a big-screen case of “Austin Mack, no matter what,” on draft day.
The undrafted wide receiver out of Ohio State fought his way onto the Giants practice squad and then kept working to be added to the active roster in Week 6. He made his first true impact as an NFL player in last Sunday’s win against Washington, contributing a 50-yard reception and a would-be touchdown that was overturned by replay review.
Mack’s role for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia still remains uncertain, probably hinging somewhat on Golden Tate’s availability while working his way back from team discipline and a knee injury suffered Thursday in practice.
“It’s been a grind. I’ve been really focused in knowing that it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Mack, who finished with four receptions for 72 yards in the Giants’ 23-20 win over Washington. “At the end of the day, [my mindset] was just come in and work hard, put my head down, and just wait for an opportunity.
“Whenever there was an opportunity, just try and maximize it and just keep competing each and every day.”
The Giants already have enjoyed immense success with one undrafted free agent wide receiver, Victor Cruz, and they obviously would be elated if Mack can come anywhere close to having that sort of impact.
Giants coach Joe Judge described Mack earlier this week as “definitely a scrappy dude” and someone who “makes plays and does things” on the field, whether it be blocking or making tough receptions. Wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert added that Mack also has impressed the coaching staff with his willingness to serve as “an enforcer” both in the running game and on special teams.
“He just keeps showing up,” Judge said. “He’s a guy that may not flash all the time but does something that just jumps out at you. He just keeps making play after play and he shows up on a regular basis.”
Not bad for a player who clocked just a 4.59-second 40-yard time before the draft. He didn’t get selected after totaling just 79 receptions for 1,050 yards in four seasons at Ohio State, playing at times behind future NFL receivers Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Parris Campbell and others.
“This guy has earned everything he’s gotten so far,” Judge said. “He keeps coming to work every day and giving us reasons to put him on the field.”
Mack hauled in a 50-yard grab down the right sideline Sunday from Daniel Jones, the Giants’ longest pass play of the season. He also appeared to have a 10-yard TD reception later in the first quarter, but his first NFL score was overturned when replay officials ruled his knee was down at the 2-yard line as he lunged toward the end zone.
“Obviously, it was very disappointing, but it just means that hopefully in the future that I can get another shot at it,” Mack said. “I thought I was in there, I ain’t gonna lie, and then I saw the replay and I was like, ‘OK.’ Then Wayne [Gallman] had to [run] it in for six.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but exciting hopefully for the future to come that I’ll get more opportunities.”
