The New York Giants season has turned into a complete train wreck for the second straight year, and despite this fact, they have valuable fantasy football options.
The New York Giants traded a couple valuable players from their team in an effort to rebuild after things have gone bad. The G-Men traded corner Eli Apple and defensive end Damon “Snacks” Harrison. It is possible that Big Blue continues to make personnel moves in an effort to tear down this current roster? Remember, earlier this season, the Giants released offensive lineman Ereck Flowers. And how do these moves affect the fantasy football value of Giants players?
In total, these moves certainly have weakened the New York Giants defensive corp. This could lead to more passing and more plays for the Giants offense in garbage time scenarios that so many fantasy football players crave.
One thing that has not been talked about enough is what happens if the Giants continue to lose and decide that they want to see rookie quarterback Kyle Lauletta. One aspect of a change at QB now hangs in the balance was the arrest of Lauletta after a traffic incident. For one, Eli Manning who has been used as an option in two quarterback leagues and as a streamer would not be available anymore.
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Second, Manning has been the only quarterback that has ever thrown to wideouts Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard. Obviously, the question has to be asked how this move affects them. Manning is certainly not the great passer he once was but he has supported Beckham, Shepard and running back Saquon Barkley This season Beckham and Barkley have been stand-outs at their respective positions, and Shepard has been a strong flex option.
The Rebuild Starts
How would a rookie quarterback fair passing behind a poor offensive line with no experience? It is certainly a cause for concern for Beckham, Shepard and Engram.
So far, we have seen a trend in games, Shepard has played great Engram has been inactive or suffered. In games Engram has played well, Shepard has been quiet for the Giants. As for Saquon Barkley, I don’t think he would be hurt by change at quarterback. In fact, he may see more carries and he could probably keep up his catch pass with a rookie quarterback.
If you have Beckham and Shepard, there really is no way to know when or if Manning will go to the bench. It is possible that Lauletta would have no impact on their production but that does not seem likely. Despite his struggles Manning has fed Beckham frequently. Beckham has 91 targets in 8 games. He has 61 catches, 785 yards and 3 total touchdowns. Shepard has 59 targets 40 catches, 542 yards and two touchdowns.
As a fantasy football owner, it is easy to get away from Shepard and Engram, but it will be hard to get away from Barkley and Beckham. If the other players in your league are smart they know a quarterback change could hurt the Giants skill players. I would have some concerns about Beckham catching passes from Lauletta. Lauletta is not known for his arm strength. I also would not panic and get rid of Beckham. He is still one of the most talented receivers in football and a young quarterback might feel the need to pepper him with targets. It is possible Beckham could have an increase in catches but a decrease in big plays and yards. I would not be concerned about Barkley because he could see more carries and increased targets with Manning on the bench.
The benching of Eli Manning seems to be speculation, but head coach Pat Shurmur certainly opened the door on it more this past Monday. It is possible the Giants go with Manning for a few more weeks in favorable matchups against the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Other motivation for the Giants to sit Manning is to avoid having his regular season win-loss record sink under 500 for his potential Hall of Fame career. But after Lauletta’s arrest, both he and Manning’s future is even murkier now. With that incident, I think you can expect Manning to be the quarterback for at least two or three more weeks, if a move is made at all.