The New York Giants’ top receivers are set. But undrafted rookie Darius Powe is starting to remind people of another Giant: Hakeem Nicks.
The New York Giants are set with their top four receivers. Odell Beckham Jr. and the hopefully healthy Victor Cruz will start and, again, if both can stay on the field, should make the one of the most dynamic wide receiver tandems in the NFL. Second-round draft pick Sterling Shepard has impressed both coaches and players in the offseason and should have an impact either in the slot or on the outside during his rookie season. Dwayne Harris, while he’s a game changing return man, showed his receiving prowess in 2015 and should be the fourth WR off the bench.
Jerry Reese will likely keep six receivers on the roster so that leaves two more spots on the 53-man roster. Geremy Davis, the 2015 sixth-round pick from UConn, has been making strides this summer and is starting to build a rapport with Eli Manning.
“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.”
And then there’s the undrafted free agent from Cal: Darius Powe. Ed Valentine of Big Blue View describes Powe as a “big-bodied possession receiver with the ability to go up in traffic and snatch the ball with his hands. Hakeem Nicks used to be that guy for the Giants, and ever since injuries began to eat into his skills the Giants have been looking for a replacement.”
The Giants have plenty of speedy receivers built for yards after catch, but not one of the top receivers is taller than 6’0”. Powe is 6’3″ and he plays that way. While the offense ranked 8th overall, they struggled mightily in the red zone, ranking 29th in TD production. Outside of the tight ends, the Giants lack a tall receiver to pluck jump balls out of the air in the endzone and now they are looking to Powe.
In 2015, Powe caught a career-high 47 passes for 560 yards and an average of 11.9 yards per catch. Those are not numbers that pop off the page, but he did have eight TDs catching balls from Jared Goff.
Giants offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan sees Powe’s potential. “From a physical standpoint, he’s what you’re looking for. You see him make plays … He’s able to separate. He makes contested catches. He has a big catch radius. You know, greatness can come from anywhere.”
Powe has competition to make the roster and realize all that potential in the NFL. Another undrafted rookie Roger Lewis seems to be his main competition. Lewis has a troubled past, but had some “eye-popping deep ball numbers” in the MAC.
Jordan Raanan of NJ.com projects Powe as the final receiver on the 53-man roster before training camp begins. “Powe is my player to watch this summer. He has impressive size and speed.”
Hakeem Nicks was that big-bodied possession receiver Manning loved to throw to until injuries submarines his career. Darius Powe comes into the NFL with far less praise – Nicks was a first-rounder – but could he be the second coming of one of Eli’s favorite receivers? Powe has to make the roster first.