Ranking the 10 best receivers in NY Giants history
Historically speaking, the NY Giants are a team who have had some incredible talent play for the organization at each position. Wide receiver is no exception to this, with several guys really balling out for fans to enjoy.
The Giants have been home to some of the most exciting receivers the league has ever seen. While these players may not necessarily be high up on the NFL’s all-time receivers list, their style of play and excitement they brought to the game entertained NY Giants fans for years. With that said, here’s a look at the 10 greatest wideouts in team history.
Honorable mentions: Stephen Baker, Mario Manningham and Sterling Shepard
It was very hard to make this list without at least mentioning these players. These three receivers have had big impacts on the Giants in one way or another. However, the players ahead of them just barely beat them out.
Stephen Baker “the TD maker” is a fan favorite among Giants fans for his time with the team during their 1990 Super Bowl run. Baker spent six seasons in the NFL, all with the NY Giants. In this time, Baker caught 141 passes for 2,587 yards and 21 TDs. He even making a crucial TD catch against the Bills in the Super Bowl.
Having personally interviewed Baker, I can tell you he is one of the kindest professional athletes I have ever had the pleasure of speaking with. It was truly a treat to listen to the stories he had to tell. It was quite unfortunate that Baker’s career was cut short due to a back injury in 1992. While he may not have the most impressive stats, Baker was a very important piece to the NY Giants 1990 Super Bowl run. Without him, they likely do not win that game.
Mario Manningham is in a similar boat to Baker. While he was a great player with the NY Giants during his four year tenure, he was only with the team for those said years. The longevity simply isn’t there for Manningham. However, in another similar fashion to the TD maker, Manningham was crucial to the NY Giants 2011 Super Bowl glory, catching one of the greatest passes ever thrown in NFL history from Eli Manning in that win over the Patriots.
During his four years with the team, Manningham would catch 160 passes for 2,315 yards and 19 TDs. While Manningham may not have the longevity, his high level of play when it mattered most was enough to give him an honorable mention spot.
Sterling Shepard is the only NY Giants on this list who is currently on the squad. He came closest to making it on the list, however, his lack of team success, accolades and longevity caused him to barely miss out on the 10 guys in front of him.
In the six years since Shepard was drafted, he has caught 349 passes for 3,884 yards and 21 TDs. Not bad considering Shepard has been a second or third option for the majority of his career. While in recent years injuries have began to take a toll on the 29 year old, he still produces very solid numbers when healthy. Now, we move on to the top 10.