Aug 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets free safety Antonio Allen (39) upsets the pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy Football is here
Your fantasy draft might be upcoming with your buddies tonight, this weekend, or sometime next week. Have you been pouring over hundreds of online rankings to decide who exactly you should take? Well, Giants’ fans, you might need to look no further than your own team if you are looking for a solid wide receiver value this year.
Giants GM, Jerry Reese, selected Rueben Randle 63rd overall in the 2012 NFL draft. Randle, who many thought was a first round talent, slipped to the GMEN. Randle struggled grasping former Giants’ offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, offense hauling in only 19 receptions for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie. Randle improved on those numbers in his sophomore campaign with 41 receptions, 611 yards and 6 touchdowns. However, Randle still struggled with the option routes in Gilbride’s offense, causing a lot of miscommunications with quarterback Eli Manning.
Fantasy Football: Predictions
In 2014, Gilbride is gone and Ben McAdoo is bringing a simpler, faster paced offense to New York. Wide receivers generally are known for year three breakouts and I believe Rueben Randle is a perfect candidate to have a career season.
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At 6’2, 208 lbs, Randle is the tallest projected Giants starting receiver. He has similar skills and size to Jordy Nelson, who flourished in Green Bay, McAdoo’s last stop. Nelson was a top 15 fantasy wide receiver last year while catching 85 passes for 1314 yards and 8 touchdowns. While these numbers might be gaudy for Randle to attain, especially since he still seems to be struggling a bit with picking up the offense, he should see a significant bump to his numbers from last season.
Currently,
has his consensus projection as 57 receptions, 803 yards and 6 touchdowns. Personally, I think Randle could have a lot more touchdowns than that given the lack of size among Giants wide receivers, and lack of a true receiving threat at tight end. Randle could very well be Eli’s main red zone target this season. Also, I believe Randle will catch over 60 passes, especially as his communication with Eli Manning improves over the season. I believe a projection around 65 catches, 900 yards, and 9 touchdowns could be realistic for Randle if he stays healthy.
As of now,
Randle’s average draft position on Fantasy Football Calaculator is 105 overall and WR40
. Unproven rookies such as Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin, and Sammy Watkins are all going ahead of Randle in the average fantasy draft. Older veterans with less upside, such as Reggie Wayne are also being drafted ahead of Randle. Heck, Josh Gordon, who had a one year suspension looming over his head (which has now been upheld) was only being drafted one spot later than Randle!
With the new look Giants offense sputtering for all to see so far this pre-season, Randle’s ADP has pretty much held steady. Randle’s preseason started out quiet, but he finally broke through with 2 receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown against the New York Jets. Although things look bleak now, I still believe Randle is a potential steal where he is currently being drafted. While I often shy away from Giants players in my own fantasy draft (honestly, I feel like I give them bad luck, for instance I had David Wilson last season) Randle is somebody I would feel comfortable drafting.
Fantasy Football: Bottom Line
Rueben Randle might not be the flashiest of receivers, or have the ‘hottest’ fantasy buzz surrounding him, but if you go into your draft and grab him int he 9th-11th round, then you will be putting yourself in a really good spot. You will be thanking me later if he does end up having the third year wide receiver breakout. Just don’t forget to thank me when you are boasting to all your league mates about how you stole Randle so late in your draft.