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Rueben Randle, Most Underrated Giant in 2015, Most Frustrating Career

By Neal Lynch

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New York Giants defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-18. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New York Giants defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-18. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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“Was Giants WR Rueben Randle New York’s most underrated player in 2015? NFL analyst Bryant McFadden shares his thoughts.”

If you agree with that assessment, you’re probably in the minority. Most Giants fans’ faces scrunch up with hate or distaste when thinking about the perceived wasted potential Randle has exhibited. Numbers never lie? True. But, in Rueben’s case, they could be deceptive. As the analysts mentioned in the 120Sports video, Randle disappeared at times. The LSU product reached a career-high in receiving touchdowns with eight, finishing strong with a score in each of the last four games.

However, the small mistakes and lapses in judgment that don’t show up in the box score or on the stat sheet are what drive Giants fans mad. Not finishing a route in the end zone that ends up getting picked off. Not completing a route in the red zone that ends up getting intercepted and taken to the house. Those figures are pinned on Eli Manning.

Here are the highest-graded Giants players in 2015 according to Pro Football Focus:

  1. Robert Ayers
  2. Weston Richburg
  3. Justin Pugh
  4. Odell Beckham, Jr.
  5. Jason Pierre-Paul

With Victor Cruz out for most of 2014 and all of 2015, Rueben Randle had multiple opportunities to step up and cement himself as the #2 wide receiver on the depth chart and came up short. In games that mattered in 2015 – November’s division-deciding matchup in Landover against the Washington Redskins in which he was targeted six times and only had one catch for 36 yards and a score (a miracle play on fourth down) and December’s overtime loss to the New York Jets when he was targeted 6 times and only had 2 catches for 22 yards.

But, how much better could Rueben be? In four years, he’s averaged more than 14 yards per reception, 8+ yards per target, 47 receptions and 660+ receiving yards. Not bad when you look at the Giants alternatives in the 2012 NFL Draft.

There were 32 other wide receivers drafted that year. Rueben was the 63rd overall pick, taken late in the second round. He was the 9th wideout taken after the likes of Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, A.J. Jenkins, Brian Quick, Stephen Hill, Alshon Jeffery, and Ryan Broyles. Of those selections, Floyd and Jeffery have higher approximate values over their career, while Kendall Wright is tied. The only receiver drafted lower than Randle with a higher AV is T.Y. Hilton. I know, I know. How would the Giants have fared with Hilton as the #2 instead of Randle? Probably a lot better. But guess who else the Giants could’ve picked? DeVier Posey and T.J. Graham. Yeah, exactly.

Pro Football Focus ranked Randle as the 8th best free agent wide receiver. Many have speculated – including us – that #82 is most likely done with the Giants even though he stated he wanted to return. With Ben McAdoo’s promotion, it seemed Randle’s fate was sealed. Rueben’s a potential target for the Philadelphia Eagles (barf, see “Steve Smith”), Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, and New England Patriots.

Will the Giants regret letting Randle walk? If Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks are any indication, Big Blue should be just fine.

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