In the weeks before training camp, we’ll break down each position on the Giants roster to highlight the team’s strengths, weaknesses and the depth-chart battles that will determine who’s around for Week 1.
Wide receivers
Returning players: Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Dwayne Harris, Myles White, Geremy Davis
Key newcomers: Sterling Shepard, Roger Lewis, Tavarres King, Darius Powe, Anthony Dable’
Assessment: The potential is there for a seriously dangerous trio for Eli Manning — if things fall the Giants’ way. The only player who can contain Odell Beckham Jr. is Beckham himself. He is virtually un-defendable for a full game, given his outrageous skill set and competitive fire. His two-year numbers are off the charts, and he is hell-bent on turning that production into winning games. If he can fully harness his immense desire and passion, look out.
But he cannot do it by himself. So much of this season’s success hinges on Victor Cruz, who is coming off knee and calf surgeries that cost him 10 games in 2014 and the entire 2015 season. He looked good — though in an extremely limited capacity — in the spring, but the summer will be the proving ground for one of the team’s most popular individuals. The Giants need Cruz to approach the form that made him a feared slot target, and it remains to be seen whether his quickness and elusiveness will return. They will take it slowly with Cruz, who must resist the urge to fast-forward his comeback. Shepard (second-round pick) is only 5-foot-10, but he’s an accomplished pass-catcher out of an NFL-style offense (Oklahoma) and he wowed everyone in the spring.
Rookie receivers often struggle; the Giants believe Shepard is polished and mature enough to make an immediate contribution. He has to, because there’s not much behind him. Dwayne Harris (36 receptions, 396 yards, four TDs) did some nice things last season, but he is best-suited as a special teams ace and a No. 4 receiver at best. Myles White (seven receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD last season) adds a speed element and makes plays in practice. Geremy Davis is a big, muscular target, but has to show he can get open. Roger Lewis, undrafted out of Bowling Green, flashed in the spring.
Camp battle to watch: Victor Cruz vs. himself. The Giants want to take it easy on him, fold him slowly into the action in training camp, but Cruz is antsy to finally get out there full-time with the boys. Any physical setback could be crushing to his psyche — he never thought a calf strain would force him to miss an entire season — and his workload must be managed. The Giants need Cruz to be at his best the second week of September, not during the dog days of August.