New York Giants Training Camp Battles: Wide Receiver
Depending on the health of Victor Cruz, the New York Giants could have one of the best receiving groups in the NFL. A healthy Cruz with Odell Beckham Jr. could be the dynamic duo that get the offense rolling. Let’s take a complete look at the Giants at the wide receiver position though.
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The Giants number three option is obviously Rueben Randle. Randle stepped up pretty significantly last season when Cruz went down with an injury. Randle had 71 receptions which was 30 more receptions than he had in the 2013 season. Randle showed that he can be a consistent part of the offense and the Giants need him to be.
After Randle, we enter the unknown and therefore have an interesting training camp battle. The Giants other receivers include Corey Washington, Geremy Davis and Preston Parker. These three players aren’t only fighting for the fourth receiver spot but also a spot on the team. It is foreseeable that the Giants will keep all six wide receivers but it isn’t a given.
The Giants have high hopes for Davis to be a diamond in the rough. The Giants’ sixth round selection will get every chance to make the roster and compete for snaps on the offense. Davis isn’t an overly fast receiver, instead he offers a more physical style of play. In this way, Davis is the most unique of the Giants relatively unproven receivers.
Washington is somebody who has incredible potential, this is something that showed in the preseason last season. Washington is a quick 6’4″ receiver that can jump up and make the tough grabs. Albeit against third stringers, Washington put on a show in the preseason of 2014.
Parker played a small but meaningful role in the Giants offense last season. He ended up with three touchdowns and 418 yards on 36 receptions.
Between Davis, Washington and Parker it will be interesting who steps up into the fourth slot. At this point the job is surely up for grabs. I think because the Giants already have some playing time invested in Parker he has the inside track, but Corey Washington is a guy who could change that by showing up big in training camp.
The injury Cruz is coming back from may compel the Giants to keep each receiver. This is especially possible when you consider how reliant the Giants are going to be in the passing game.
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