Dynasty Capsule: New York Giants
As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re also going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.
We continue the series with the New York Giants.
Quarterbacks
Eli Manning (signed through 2015)
After a career 2011 season that featured almost 5,000 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns and a fantasy QB6 finish, Manning looked ready to establish himself as a reliable QB1 option at the helm of the new look, pass-first Giants offense. Instead, dealing with injuries to his top receiver and throughout the Giants’ running back corps, Eli displayed the inconsistency that has driven his owners mad in past years. That being said, last year’s finish at QB15 is probably his floor. Manning can be relied to be a top-end QB2 with QB1 upside, especially if Hakeem Nicks can find a way to stay healthy. If you decide to wait on a quarterback in a startup draft and intend to use Eli in a QBBC with someone like Big Ben or Tony Romo, I would say that’s a solid strategy.
Running Backs
Andre Brown (RFA)
I expect Brown, always surrounded by durability concerns, to return as an RFA. He had a promising start to 2012, including 20 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers in week three before breaking his leg after 13 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Packers in Week 12. With his leg fully recovered and Ahmad Bradshaw hitting the street, look for Brown to take on the role as the Giants’ lead back in 2013. His pass blocking skills, while far from elite, are far superior to the still developing David Wilson and the Giants are going to favor the guy that can best protect their most valuable asset, #10.
David Wilson (signed through 2015)
With the news of the Bradshaw cut, Wilson’s value has risen into the stratosphere to the point where Lamar Miller can’t even see him. There is no denying he is a dynamic athlete, and he averaged a healthy five yards per carry on his 71 runs last year, but, as I said above, he is going to have to develop his pass protection skills to operate as the lead back in a committee. More importantly, keep in mind that lead back in an RBBC is his short-term upside. I fully expect the Giants to add a third running back considering Andre Brown’s injury history. If you are going into 2013 expecting an RB1 (or even a high RB2) season from Wilson, I suggest you have a good contingency plan.
Da’Rel Scott (signed through 2014)
Still really fast. Even with all of the Giants’ RB injury woes last year, received just 11 carries. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t make the team.
Cut: Ahmad Bradshaw: There is always the possibility that Bradshaw could return to the Giants for a discount once/if his foot checks out. I don’t see that as likely because there will be some RB-needy team that would pay a healthy-ish Bradshaw more than the Giants are likely willing to pay.
Wide Receivers
Hakeem Nicks (signed through 2013)
After 161 targets in 2011 and back-to-back top 12 PPR WR finishes in the now pass-based Giants offense, Nicks looked poised to solidify himself as one of the top dynasty receivers in 2012 at only 24 years of age. Instead, he hurt his foot early in the preseason. Then, just as he looked poised to shake off that injury with a ten catch, 199 yard, one touchdown performance against the Buccaneers in week two, he hurt his knee. It was an injury that lingered throughout the rest of the year, cost Nicks three games and recently required a knee scope. The Giants are in the unenviable position of having Nicks playing out the final year of his rookie deal along with Victor Cruz’ status as an RFA. Of the two, however, Nicks is the pure number one receiver and I expect the Giants to try to work out a long term deal with him, despite the injury concerns. I still believe Nicks is a top ten dynasty PPR receiver, with the possibility of regaining top five status with a healthy, strong 2013. Remember, he’s still only 25 years old.
Victor Cruz (RFA)
After finishing as the 2011 as the number three PPR WR, Cruz fell to number 13 in 2012. The takeaway from this is the Cruz is a very good receiver, but is better off having a true number one on the outside drawing coverage, allowing him to work underneath and use his excellent after the catch skills. Cruz is guaranteed to stick around New York for 2013, and is likely to get a long term deal done as well. I believe the tandem of Nicks and Cruz may be as good as it gets in both the NFL and fantasy for many years to come (I’m looking at you Roddy White and Julio Jones). Interesting side note – Victor Cruz is 14 months older than Nicks.
Rueben Randle (signed through 2015)
Randle was a raw prospect coming into 2012, so it’s no surprise he only saw limited action before breaking out and abusing Nnamdi Asomugha for four catches on four targets, 58 yards and two touchdowns in Week 17. I’m still not completely convinced the performance was an outlier against an Eagles team that had nothing to play for combined with a fading Asomugha. That being said, Randle is 6’3”, 210 lbs, and is certainly an extremely viable candidate to replace Hakeem Nicks if hecontinues to develop and the Giants let Nicks walk after this year. He would be a player I would aggressively target if the Giants do not get a long-term deal done with Nicks prior to the start of the season.
Jerrel Jernigan (signed through 2014)
Jernigan has flashed, but has largely been inconsistent, both as a receiver and on special teams. Given the fact that both Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon are unlikely to be back, he will probably retain his roster spot, especially if the Giants want to use him as a back up to David Wilson, who is likely to have more of a regular role on offense in 2013. Outside of super-deep leagues, he has little to no dynasty value, but would be an interesting name to keep an eye on in the event that Victor Cruz got hurt.
UFAs: Ramses Barden, Domenik Hixon: Neither is likely to be brought back.
Tight Ends
Adrien Robinson (signed through 2015)
Robinson is an intriguing developmental tight end prospect that Giants GM Jerry Reese famously referred to as “the JPP of tight ends.” He’s extremely raw and probably needs another year of seasoning; although, the Giants haven’t been shy about throwing young tight ends into the spotlight (see Ballard, Jake). With Martellus Bennett being a UFA, he’s worth a roster spot in the event he wins the starting job (even by default). Otherwise, depending on what the Giants end up doing at tight end (re-signing Bennett, bringing in a free agent or taking one in this deep tight end draft class), he might only be worth rostering in tight end premium leagues.
Martellus Bennett (UFA)
I have yet to see any reports that paint a clear picture as to whether the Giants are interested in bringing the Black Unicorn in for another ride. After a hot start in 2012, Bennett battled a knee injury and extra defensive attention without a full-strength Hakeem Nicks. He ended up as the PPR TE12, and would like be around that status, with mid-TE1 upside if he resigned in New York. An underrated blocker, Bennett will be the starter wherever he ends up (assuming the Patriots don’t add him to their TE collection), and should be rostered in all leagues.
Bear Pascoe (signed through 2013)
He is the Giants blocking tight end and had nine targets last year.
