The Giants might have found their next punt gunner in the same place they found their previous punt returner: Steel City.
Free-agent kick-coverage specialist Miles Boykin signed with the Giants, the team announced Tuesday.
A 6-foot-4 receiver, Boykin has just six catches for 34 yards over the past three seasons, after he was more active on offense (32 catches for 464 yards and seven touchdowns) during his first two seasons.
Originally a third-round draft pick of the Ravens out of Notre Dame, Boykin played a career-high 316 special teams snaps last season — his second with the Steelers.
Boykin was teammates with Gunner Olszewski, who was cut by the Steelers last season but bounced back after joining the Giants in October.
Olszewski re-signed with the Giants earlier this offseason after averaging 11.9 yards on 23 punt returns, one of which was brought back for a touchdown.
Boykin, 27, profiles as an older version of Bryce Ford-Wheaton.
The 6-foot-3 Ford-Wheaton was about to make the Giants roster as an undrafted rookie last season because of his ability as a gunner, but he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the preseason finale.
Boykin’s special teams experience also could come in handy with the new NFL kickoff coverage rules that are expected to increase the number of returns, entice more speedy playmakers to join special teams and still emphasize player safety by limiting full-speed collisions.
