The New York Giants have a new face in the long snapping competition this summer, and while undrafted free agents rarely make headlines, this one might just be worth watching. Ben Mann, a former Boston College standout, is aiming to carve out a role in the Giants' special teams unit—and potentially replace veteran Casey Kreiter as the team's long snapper.
At first glance, it might seem like the slowest part of the offseason to debate an undrafted long snapper's chances. But when you consider the Giants' recent struggles in the kicking game, Mann's arrival becomes a lot more interesting. Special teams miscues have cost New York dearly over the past two seasons, and while kickers often get the blame, the long snapper is the unsung hero—or villain—of every field goal and punt attempt. A bad snap can derail the entire operation, turning a routine kick into a disaster.
Mann brings impressive credentials to the table. A redshirt senior, he transferred from Yale to Boston College for his final season, appearing in 40 games over four years. At 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, he has the ideal size for a long snapper, but it's his elite athleticism that sets him apart. A three-sport star in high school—football, basketball, and lacrosse—Mann was a senior captain on the gridiron at Manheim Township, Pennsylvania. He's also pursuing a Master's in Sports Analytics, showing he's as sharp off the field as he is on it.
Long snapper is one of those positions where silence is golden. If you're hearing the snapper's name, something has likely gone wrong. But Giants fans know all too well how critical special teams can be. For most of the past two decades, New York has enjoyed rock-solid consistency at the position. Zak DeOssie anchored the unit from 2007 to 2019, earning a reputation as one of the NFL's best. After injuries took their toll, Casey Kreiter stepped in and kept the ship steady from 2020 through 2025. Now, the Giants face a potential changing of the guard.
Can Ben Mann be the next man up? It's a long shot for any undrafted free agent, but in the world of specialists, talent often speaks louder than draft pedigree. This summer, all eyes—well, at least a few—will be on the long snapper battle as Mann looks to prove he belongs in the NFL.