Bleacher Report featured columnist Russell Baxter named the most overrated and underrated player on every NFL roster. For the New York Giants, Andre Williams was most overrated and Damon Harrison was most underrated.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post notes that Andre is looking to move on from his sophomore season bust in which the former BC Eagle finished with 257 rushing yards, 2.9 rushing yards per attempt, and only 16.1 yards per game with one touchdown. James Parks of 247Sports added that Andre will be fighting for attention in a crowded backfield that includes Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey, and Paul Perkins.
NJ.com’s James Kratch writes that Andre is determined to prove Ben McAdoo right while Jordan Raanan reported McAdoo has said not to give up on Williams just yet. Giants.com’s John Schmeelk believes Williams is shaping up for a bounce-back year.
As for Bleacher Report’s Baxter? Here’s his reasoning for labeling Andre overrated…
Overrated: RB Andre Williams
"“A fourth-round selection in 2014, running back Andre Williams looked like he may be the answer to the New York Giants’ recent running woes. But the 23-year-old pro has been less than scintillating to date.While the former Boston College product has appeared in all 32 games in his brief career, it’s added up to just 978 yards on the ground and a disappointing 3.2 yards per carry. Williams has also been a non-factor in the passing game, totaling only 19 catches for 137 yards.”"
With the First Pick
It’s hard to imagine Williams seeing any more targets or touches this season. Rashad Jennings finished strong last year and figures to get the bulk of carries in 2016. Shane Vereen will be used on most passing plays and third downs. Darkwa’s hurt and Rainey’s a return specialist, but Paul Perkins has been praised for his ability to convert first downs in short yardage situations. THAT might ultimately make for Andre’s demise with Big Blue. McAdoo might give Williams the benefit of the doubt due to seniority early on, but if Andre fails his chances, Perkins will be there to seize them.
Most overrated, though? Did fans and the front office believe that Andre would come in and steal the job from Jennings? Who else could get tagged with this unfortunate moniker? Injury-riddled Victor Cruz? “Overpaid” free agents Janoris Jenkins or Olivier Vernon? DRC? J.T. Thomas? Johnathan Hankins or Devon Kennard? The last two were in the same draft class as Williams and both took a step backwards last season.
It appears that even with the weight loss, Andre has the odds stacked against him.
Underrated: DT Damon Harrison
"“Just because he received significant bucks from his new employer this offseason doesn’t mean he’s gotten his just recognition. On a New York Jets defensive front that included Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and 2015 first-round pick Leonard Williams, Harrison got lost in the shuffle.Opposing blockers would hardly call the 27-year-old underrated. He comes off a 2015 campaign in which he earned positive grades from Pro Football Focus and was again one of the league’s premier run-stoppers.”"
Can’t really argue this. A lot of skeptics had problems with the Giants handing a two-down run stopper all that money, but if Snacks and Hank the Tank do their jobs, that will set up a lot of third down and longs for JPP, Vernon, and the other pass rushers to pin their ears back and get after the QB.
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Other contenders – in my book – include Ereck Flowers, Landon Collins, Weston Richburg, Dwayne Harris, Shane Vereen, and Jasper Brinkley.
- Flowers was fighting an injury all season long and held his own. It’ll be fun watching him with his legs back at full strength.
- Collins was hampered by not having a decent battery mate in the secondary’s backfield. With Nat Berhe, Mykkele Thompson, and Bennett Jackson back healthy and the addition of Darian Thompson, Collins should be able to play with confidence.
- Richburg has taken it upon himself to be the leader of the offensive line and that should only translate to better play across the board.
- Harris was superb, returning the ball on punts and kickoffs, and he could be a dependable fourth wideout that makes clutch catches.
- There were some drives last season when it was the Shane Vereen Show. The former Patriot made the game look easy times while disappearing at others. We expected more out of Shane, but didn’t fault him. If McAdoo can get the juggling act together, Vereen and the Giants should have a historic year.