How Deep are the Giants Wide Receivers?
By Eric Mollo
It’s been a little over two weeks, and I’m still wondering why the Giants signed James Jones. From the beginning, it left me with more questions than answers. But mainly: why sign a veteran receiver at the start of Training Camp when you have a Pro Bowler returning and you just guaranteed over $7 million to Dwayne Harris.
Well, there are a few reasons, and they may indicate that while the Giants wide receivers are very talented, they may not be as deep as they seem. I listed the reasons here:
They Rely Heavily on Odell Beckham Jr.
This isn’t an indictment on the Giants–a lot of high octane offenses run their game plan through their number one receiver. Dallas,
Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) returns a kicks during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit, and Cincinnati all do this, and for good reason. Players like Beckham Jr. are the few types of players you can really call game-changers. A deep-threat, a crisp route runner, and reliable both with pass catching ability and in finding ways to convert third downs. And in Beckham’s case, he literally can catch, run, and pass. He makes football fun to watch.
But if Beckham goes down, everything changes. The Giants lose their most reliable route runner, which means Eli loses his security blanket. They lose a target over the middle. In fairness, Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle, and Larry Donnell fearlessly go over the middle, but they don’t put defenders on their heels the same way Beckham Jr. does. And they lose a huge red zone threat–a place where the Giants have struggled for years.
Of course, if any team loses their top offensive weapon, their offense will struggle. But if the Giants lose Beckham Jr., to me, we’re talking about shaving about ten points off their points per game average, at least. That’s pretty drastic and it indicates to me the guys they have playing behind Beckham Jr. can’t significantly step up and relieve a potential injury blow.
Victor Cruz May Not Be Ready
Cruz has made huge strides returning from last year’s nasty injury. Think about the knee woes a player like Jadeveon Clowney has had, and he plays a position that doesn’t involve as much cutting. Sure, every player heals different, but Cruz has healed at an exceptionally fast pace.
Nov 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) reacts after catching a long pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
However, quick healing doesn’t mean his unique skillset will return–at the very least not quickly. Remember Steve Smith? He had a similar knee injury, and it sapped his ability to make cuts and get open at will like he once did. And, his recovery time was also relatively quick.
I’m not saying Victor Cruz is the next Steve Smith–Cruz could come back and post a 1,000 yard season (a bit of a stretch, but we know how good he could be). But we know how it ended for Steve Smith, and the Giants have to be cautious. If Cruz isn’t the Cruz of old, they turn to Preston Parker in the slot, and that’s quite a drop off.
Rueben Randle Still Struggles With Route Running
It’s been no secret past couple of years–the thing holding Rueben Randle back from being a 1,00, even 1,200 yard receiver is his inability to build chemistry with Eli. There’s certainly some there, and when it clicks, it clicks. But Randle really struggles to run routes, and it’s cost him playing time in the past.
And when you consider the Giants are going to play Cruz more in the slot this year and ease him back into the offense, this team is really going to rely on Randle to play steady on the outside. And if he doesn’t? Well, that explains the signing of James Jones, a player who has done some real damage in the past, but again, was signed at the start of Training Camp. We’re not sure how much he has left either. So if Randle continues to be inconsistent and make mental errors, the Giants could really lose a big piece of their receiving corps.
There’s a Real Drop Off in Talent The Top 3
I laid out my concerns about Beckham Jr., Cruz, and Randle, and the reason I did so is because behind those three, there’s quite a steep drop off in proven talent.
Yes, they have James Jones, but what he can offer we really can’t predict after playing in a lost Oakland offense last year. Preston Parker… experienced? Yes. Productive? To me, he’s yet to prove it since entering the league in 2010. And they gave Dwayne Harris $7.1 million guaranteed in free agency, so I would like to think he’ll play some receiver, but again, he’s yet to prove he can be productive in a consistent role. And Geremy Davis, well, he’s a sixth-round rookie–what you get is a true wild card.
With Cruz’s injury and Randle’s inconsistency, what the Giants have behind Beckham Jr. is a real crapshoot. The team has a ton of talent at receiver, but their depth is certainly more questionable.