Giants to sign former first-round pick Isaiah Wilson, who was cut after only 1 season with Titans

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Isaiah Wilson acknowledged his previous missteps on and off the football field earned him the label from some as "the biggest bust in NFL history."

He's been given up on twice already despite being a 2020 first-round pick, but now has another opportunity with the New York Giants.

The Giants plan to sign Wilson to their practice squad after the former University of Georgia standout offensive lineman was part of their free agent workout Tuesday, two individuals with knowledge of the situation told NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY Network. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a signing that was not yet official.

The individuals were granted anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation and they are not authorized to speak publicly prior to the Giants' officially announcing the deal.

Wilson took to social media earlier this week asking the NFL for another chance, and, after working out for the Colts, the Giants have decided to give him that.

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Wilson, 22, has been out of the league since the Dolphins waived him last March, just three days after he was traded to Miami by Tennessee, which drafted him in the 2020 first-round. He played in one game for four snaps as a rookie after a series of issues on and off the field.

The 6-foot-6, 350-pound tackle has obvious upside, but with two teams having already given up on his talent over the past 17 months, there is some question as to how much he has grown and matured to earn another shot.

Here is everything you need to know about Wilson, his journey and his chances of sticking with the Giants beyond this initial opportunity:

Desperation on the line

The Giants need answers up front. Wilson had enough skill to garner plenty of attention and praise for what he could do on the field at Georgia.

They're about to face the daunting challenge of having to play their fourth left guard in as many games Sunday against the Saints in New Orleans with Ben Bredeson expected to miss time with a hand injury. Shane Lemieux started the season opener followed by Nick Gates, who was lost for the season after he sustained a devastating leg injury in the first quarter of the Giants' loss to Washington.

There were lofty expectations at right tackle for Matt Peart, who was beaten out for the job by veteran Nate Solder, who had to take a massive pay cut following his 2020 COVID-19 opt-out last year. Peart did not play a snap against the Falcons.

Billy Price was acquired prior to final cuts in late August and he started at center the last two games with Matt Skura - initially inked to the PS - set to back him up.

So Wilson's presence, provided he can live up to his talent, is worth the Giants' gamble, especially in the relatively low-risk, high-reward circumstances in this case. 

A contrite apology

Wilson posted a lengthy apology on his Instagram account earlier this week, asking for the NFL to consider his perspective gained after he reportedly "refused help" from the Dolphins in the three days during which he was in their employ.

"Dear World, some of you may know me as GG, some of you may know me as Panda, even some of you know me as the biggest bust in NFL history," he wrote. "Today I write to you as Isaiah Wilson. Before the fame and the glamour, I was just a kid trying to make history as the best player out of New York City. I was the hope for my hood. As time went on and success came my way I struggled deeply with trying to prove who I was to every one counting on my wins."

Wilson's off-the-field issues reportedly included a pair of motor vehicle arrests, including a DUI charge prior to the first game of his rookie season and an arrest in Georgia for driving as fast as 140 mph two months before the Titans traded him, according to police reports obtained by The Tennessean and USA TODAY Network.

In his Instagram post, Wilson acknowledged that his mental health played a part in his struggles.  

"I lost myself. I lost my mental. I lost my ability to love. I lost it all," Wilson wrote. "When I lost , seemingly everyone who once was in my corner, was gone. The ones that have remained, I love you. Today I write to you as Isaiah Wilson, not asking for forgiveness, but hoping for a second chance. With the time I’ve had away from the game I learned so much about who I am as a human."

Giants connections

Wilson was a five-star recruit in high school at Poly Prep and is a Brooklyn native. The scholarship offer he really wanted back then - and the one he ultimately accepted - came from the coach who recruited him to Georgia: Rob Sale, now the Giants' offensive line coach.

The Giants also scouted him extensively for the 2020 draft, given that he played opposite Andrew Thomas, their left tackle whom they picked No. 4 overall.

“Great kid,” Thomas told reporters after practice Wednesday. “Definitely talented. I’m excited to see what he does. Glad they’re giving him a chance. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s done. He had some time off away from football to get his stuff together. So I’m excited to be able to work with him and trying to help bring him along.”