Wide receivers ran their drills yesterday at the combine and the New York Giants are certainly in the market. Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle are both question marks to return in 2016. Jerry Reese will look to free agency, but a solid young wide receiver added later in the draft is certainly a possibility.
One receiver who turned drew some praise on Saturday was Rutgers’ Leonte Carroo. Carroo finished his senior season with 39 catches for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns in just eight games, averaging a career-high 20.7 yards per reception. He’s not a huge specimen, just a hair under 6-foot, and doesn’t break the needle on any measurables. His 40-yard dash was a far-from-blazing 4.50.
Carroo has good body control and excels at running routes. He showed strong hands at the combine and has already proven himself on special teams. He’s had interviews with 10 NFL franchises including an informing meeting with the Giants. Carroo, along with Josh Doctson, was one of two wide receiver standouts according to Todd McShay.
The drawback on Carroo isn’t on tape, however. He’s already got a domestic violence issue on his record and was suspended two games for it. Also, he didn’t participate in all the drills at the combine because he is nursing a high ankle sprain, something the Giants are familiar with.
Carroo’s draft projections are all over the map. Pro Football Focus has him as high as a late first-rounder. More likely, his average size/speed and troubled past will drop him into the third round. Carroo excelled with weak quarterback play at Rutgers; Just think what he could do catching balls from Eli Manning.