Matt

McCants

McCants was the Giants’ 2012 sixth-round pick; they waived him at final cuts. He will be Oakland’s swing tackle in Week 1 behind LT Khalif Barnes and Tony Pashos. Jared Veldheer is out indefinitely, and Menelik Watson was ruled out.

McCants wound up making three starts for Oakland last season, performing better than expected at right tackle. He should stick around as a 2014 reserve.

He was originally a sixth-round pick. McCants only logged four snaps last season. He hasn’t started a game for Oakland since 2013.

A 2012 sixth-round pick of the Giants, McCants has developed into a reliable swing tackle in Oakland and is the direct backup to LT Donald Penn, who turns 33 later this month. If McCants can earn any 2016 playing time, he could try to parlay it into a starting job in unrestricted free agency next offseason.

A 42-game starter in C-USA, McCants has prototype left tackle size at 6-foot-6 and over 300 pounds, but lacks strength throughout his body and often plays with poor technique. He does have long arms and a frame to build upon. The Giants won’t expect McCants to play early, instead trying to develop him for the long term.

McCants started 42 games at UAB, but he is a project lacking NFL-ready strength and technique. Fourth-rounder Brandon Mosley has a better chance of seeing action as a rookie, although the Giants have typically brought rookies along especially slowly. McCants won’t be playing in 2012 barring the unexpected.

A 2012 sixth-rounder, McCants spent 2012 on the street, but was re-signed in January. The fact that he couldn’t crack an in-flux tackle corps two years in a row bodes poorly for his NFL future.

McCants hasn’t been active since Week 7. His release is a sign the Raiders expect LG Kelechi Osemele (questionable, knee) to play Sunday. Oakland also cut TE Ryan O’Malley.

A 2012 sixth-rounder by the Giants, McCants has appeared in 30 career games, making three starts as a rookie. He spent time with the Raiders, Browns, and Bears last season and will compete for a reserve job this summer.

He was injured Monday night. McCants had a chance to win the swing tackle job.