Opportunity Knocks For New York Giants WR Geremy Davis
The top three spots at wide receiver for the New York Giants are set… On paper. Odell Beckham Jr. is a superstar entering his third season and he’s fully healthy. It’s hard to believe with the production he had in his first two seasons, OBJ wasn’t full strength for either. Even though Eli Manning called for Beckham to “step up” his game, the Giants would certainly be pleased with similar production in 2016.
After OBJ, Victor Cruz is looking to make his comeback from injuries that have kept him off the field since October 2014. While Cruz claims to be “100 percent healthy,” the Giants are wisely keeping him on a pitch count until training camp. While it’s a long shot, Jerry Reese is hoping for a full season with an healthy and explosive WR duo that’s only been on the field together for six quarters.
Reese drafted Sterling Shepard in the second round as the heir apparent to Cruz, but in the meantime, he should be penciled in as the third WR by Week 1. At OTAs, the Giants are bringing Shepard along slowly as he’s still learning the playbook. He’s working with the second team for now, but by training camp, he should be catching passes from Manning not Nassib.
After those three wideouts, it’s a relatively open competition. At OTAs, Geremy Davis is working with the first-team offense because of the aforementioned “issues” with Cruz and Shepard. Dwayne Harris, primarily a return specialist, was working out of the slot. Davis was a sixth-round pick last year out of Connecticut and had a whopping two catches his rookie year.
Davis has a golden opportunity to solidify himself as the next option on the depth chart this summer.
Manning had positive things to say of all his wide receivers, but Davis specifically. “Geremy is a bright guy,” Manning said. “He knows the offense very well. He studies hard. He’s really in tune with what his assignments are. He’s got great size. He’s one of our bigger receivers… Hopefully he can step up and get on a roll and make some plays for us come game time.”
Davis’ size might be his biggest selling point. At 6’2”, he’s the tallest receiver who is all but certain to make the roster. Anthony Dable and Darius Powe are taller, but could easily be gone by the final roster cutdown. The Giants are overflowing with small, shifty receivers, but no legitimate options with height.
This summer is Davis’ opportunity to prove himself. He has the physical skills to be a productive receiver and this summer, he’s being given reps with the first team. If the Giants’ best laid plans hold true, Davis could establish a report with Manning this summer and be a reliable fourth option and even a red zone threat.
Cruz’s health will always be a concern for Reese and Giants fans alike. If Cruz can’t make the comeback the Giants have been waiting for, Davis might find himself starting on the outside with Shepard in the slot. If Davis lives up to his potential, he could be a breakout star and a steal from last year’s draft.