Team-by-Team Draft Recap: New York Giants

Jeff Haverlack

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This article is part of our ongoing series where we provide team-by-team analysis and veteran divisional winners and losers from the NFL Draft. You can read the entire series here.

The Giants had a difficult 2013 campaign, finishing 7-9 on the year and falling well short of expectations.  Following the conclusion of 2013 and coming as no surprise to G-men faithful, the Giants also finished 29th in the league in rushing and 19th in passing. Eli Manning finished with a 18:27 touchdown to interception ratio and has seen his fantasy value plummet as a result.  Heading into the draft, it was fully expected help at receiver and running back would be sought.  Free agent Hakeem Nicks was allowed to walk in free agency and running back David Wilson’s status returning from a neck injury is a mystery.

Beyond the fully-expected departure of the oft-injured Nicks, which created an immediate hole at receiver, the tight end position stood out as a particular position needing more dynamic ability.

The Giants conducted a balanced draft with a couple of potentially impactful players being selected.

Odell Beckham, Jr., WR (Round 1, #12)

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Beckham’s value had been on a steady rise leading up to the draft.  Good size and a very visible after-the-catch dynamic should be just what the doctor ordered for Eli Manning and the Giants’ passing game.  Beckham’s presence will kick Victor Cruz inside as a full-time slot receiver which will allow the two to play off of each other in route combinations.  Beckham is already a savvy route-runner with the toughness to go across the middle and the speed to take the top off defenses when called upon to do so.

With the ball in his hands, Beckham shows an extra gear and can be a physical presence, not often losing yardage after content.  In the NFL, bigger receivers with greater dynamic can struggle getting off the line of scrimmage when squaring off against larger and stronger cornerbacks.  Beckham’s hands, strength and toughness suggest that he’ll have a running start toward success in this area.  He possesses an NFL skill-set now.

Hakeem Nicks’ exit will allow Rueben Randle to immediately ascend to a WR2 role in the offense, but in a typical WR1 position.  Randle experienced communication and chemistry issues with Manning due to New York’s system which calls for wide receivers to read defenses toward determining their route.  In their new system, Randle will run a more traditional and defined route tree.  Beckham playing on the outside also has a chance to secure the same role while Cruz has the experience to do the same.  In short, what this means is that there is little way to determine which receiver will ultimately sit atop the fantasy rankings when the year is done.  PPR coaches should be excited at the potential of Cruz to get his career back on track, especially in PPR formats.

Beckham’s value has faded just a bit since the NFL Draft.  Once being selected as highly as third overall in rookie drafts, we have seen Beckham fall to the second round on occasion – that’s just too far in this author’s opinion.

For Beckham, it’s a rare opportunity for a first-year-starting receiver to have immediate impact.

Andre Williams, RB (Round 4, #113)

It’s anyone’s guess as to what exactly the presence of David Wilson will provide in 2014.  The Giants added Rashad Jennings in free agency to restore a hard-hitting rushing attack.  Jennings looks to be the odds-on favorite for the bulk of the workload and is an accomplished inside runner while underrated in the passing game.  Williams also brings a level of tenacity and power to a run-game.  He’s not overly quick but does have some level of inside agility and can pound out tough yardage.  He won’t offer much in the passing game, however.

For what it’s worth, it’s been said that the Giants had a second to third round grade on Williams so they’ll feel that they got a good value with his selection.  Jennings is signed through 2017 but is 29 years of age.  It will be a situation to monitor going forward. It remains to be seen how many attempts Williams will garner in 2014, but his true value won’t be realized until 2015 or beyond.

Devon Kennard, OLB (Round 5, #174)

Kennard just doesn’t factor in any way, shape or form for IDP consideration.  The Giants are certainly looking for linebacker help and likely love Kennard’s size and quickness ratio.  But those aspects just aren’t displayed enough to forecast an impact in fantasy.

Summary

It’s a bit of a light load for New York in 2014, at least as it relates to fantasy potential.

All eyes will remain on the younger Manning in 2014 as he attempts to rebound from a season that has led to him being an outright drop from many rosters.  I believe sending Manning to the waiver wire is a mistake as he’s got the offense and skill-set to bounce back.   The lack of a noteworthy tight end will also remain a notable issue to watch as we head into camp.  Adrien Robinson remains the name on top of the heap, but has failed to impress thus far, leaving the starting gig as a wide open competition.  Rumor has placed Jermichael Finley on the radar, but Finley has yet to be cleared from a near career-ending neck injury.

With the young group of receivers and the return of the power run-game, all is not lost in the land of Giants.

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jeff haverlack