Aug 292023
 
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants (November 20, 2022)

Wan’Dale Robinson – © USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK GIANTS MAKE 30 MORE ROSTER MOVES…
As with all other NFL teams, the New York Giants reduced their roster to 53 players on Tuesday. The Giants announced the following 30 roster moves on Monday and Tuesday:

Acquired by Trade:

  • DE/OLB Boogie Basham (from Buffalo Bills in exchange for swap of late-round 2025 draft picks)

Activated from the Active/Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List:

  • WR Wan’Dale Robinson (coming off of ACL tear)

Placed on Reserve/PUP List from Active/PUP List:

  • CB Aaron Robinson (coming off of ACL tear) (now out for at least four games)

Waived:

  • QB Tommy DeVito
  • RB Jashaun Corbin
  • WR Kalil Pimpleton
  • TE Ryan Jones
  • OL Tyre Phillips
  • DL Ryder Anderson
  • DL Kobe Smith
  • OLB Tomon Fox
  • OLB Habakkuk Baldonado
  • ILB Darrian Beavers
  • ILB Ray Wilborn
  • ILB Dyontae Johnson
  • CB Gemon Green
  • S Alex Cook
  • LS Cameron Lyons

Contract Terminated (Vested Veteran):

  • WR Cole Beasley
  • WR Jamison Crowder
  • WR David Sills
  • OL Sean Harlow
  • OLB Oshane Ximines
  • CB Amani Oruwariye

Waived/Injured:

  • OL Jack Anderson (calf)
  • OL Wyatt Davis (ankle)
  • CB Zyon Gilbert (hamstring)

Placed on Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List:

  • TE Tommy Sweeney (unknown)

Placed on Season-Ending Injured Reserve:

  • TE Chris Myarick (broken hand)

Contract Terminated from Injured Reserve (Injury Settlement):

  • DL Vernon Butler (unknown)

The 25-year old, 6’3”, 274-pound Basham was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bills. He has played in 23 regular-season games with no starts, accruing 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery. Basham is a powerful hybrid 3-4/4-3 end who has inside-outside versatility. He plays the run well and flashes on the pass rush.

“A young player that has good size,” said Head Coach Brian Daboll of Basham. “He’ll be in the outside linebacker room, and we’ll get him here and start working with him and put him in our system. Our system is a little bit different than Buffalo’s system so we’ll get him out here in the field and (Outside Linebackers Coach) Drew (Wilkins) will start working with him and try to get him up to speed.”

INJURY REPORT…
CB Aaron Robinson (ACL) was placed on the Reserve/Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List from the Active/PUP List. He cannot be activated off of the Reserve/PUP for the first four games of the regular season. TE Tommy Sweeney (unknown) was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List.

RB Gary Brightwell (knee), TE Lawrence Cager (ankle), LB Cam Brown (unknown), CB Cor’Dale Flott (hamstring), S/CB Nick McCloud (groin), S Bobby McCain (concussion), and S Gervarrius Owens (hamstring) did not practice.

DARNAY HOLMES ACCEPTS PAY CUT…
Media sources are reporting that cornerback Darnay Holmes has accepted a pay cut. Holmes was scheduled to earn $2,743,000 in salary in the final year of his contract in 2023.

TEAM CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED…
The following 10 players were voted team captains by the players on the roster:

  • QB Daniel Jones
  • RB Saquon Barkley
  • TE Darren Waller
  • LT Andrew Thomas
  • DL Dexter Lawrence
  • DL Leonard Williams
  • OLB Bobby Okereke
  • CB Adoree’ Jackson
  • S Xavier McKinney
  • PK Graham Gano

HEAD COACH BRIAN DABOLL…
The transcript of Brian Daboll’s press conference on Tuesday is available in The Corner Forum while the video is available on YouTube.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
Transcripts and video clips of the media sessions with the following players are available in The Corner Forum and on YouTube:

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The Giants practice on Wednesday afternoon (2:30-4:30PM). Head Coach Brian Daboll and select players will also address the media.

Jul 252023
 
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants (October 16, 2022)

Wan’Dale Robinson – © USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have made nine more roster moves in advance of tomorrow’s first summer training camp practice.

Placed on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List:

  • WR Sterling Shepard (coming off ACL tear)
  • WR Wan’Dale Robinson (coming off ACL tear)
  • OG Marcus McKethan (coming off ACL tear)
  • DL A’Shawn Robinson (coming off meniscus tear)
  • DL D.J. Davidson (coming off ACL tear)
  • CB Aaron Robinson (coming off ACL tear)

Placed on the Non-Football Injury List:

  • WR Jamison Crowder (calf)

Placed on the Reserve/Did-Not-Report List:

  • DL Vernon Butler

In addition, cornerback Leonard Johnson was waived off of Injured Reserve with an injury settlement.

Players on the PUP still count towards the 90-man roster limit.

Jun 232023
 
Isaiah Hodgins, New York Giants (January 15, 2023)

Isaiah Hodgins – © USA TODAY Sports

With New York Giants training camp beginning in late July, BigBlueInteractive.com (BBI) breaks down each of the team’s positional groups until the players report at Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

FIND A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL BREAKDOWNS HERE

POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: Wide Receivers

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW: Plans quickly went awry at this position in 2022. On paper, $72 million Kenny Golladay, 2021 1st-round draft pick Kadarius Toney, the talented but oft-injured Sterling Shepard, and 2022 2nd-round pick Wan’Dale Robinson were to form the core of group that was supposed to provide a nice combination of size, speed, quickness, experience, and play-making ability. By year’s end, none were contributors. Golladay, perhaps the biggest bust in NFL free agent history, ended up with just six receptions on the season. Toney had two catches before being traded to the Chiefs. Shepard tore his ACL in Week 3 and Robinson tore his ACL in November.

Who picked up the slack? Unbelievably, Marcus Johnson started seven games, but only had nine receptions. David Sills started five games and had just 11 receptions. Richie James, who had been signed mostly for his return skills, led the group with 57 catches. Darius Slayton, who barely made the team as the 7th receiver and wasn’t even active early in the season, started a team-high 11 games at the position, and finished with 46 catches. As a group, Golladay (1), Toney, Shepard (1), Robinson (1), Johnson, Sills, James (4), and Slayton (2) had just nine touchdown catches. It was ugly and you’d be hard-pressed to find a worse group in the League.

The Giants did have some good fortune when they claimed little-known wideout Isaiah Hodgins off of waivers from the Buffalo Bills in early November. Due to the dearth of talent at the position and his experience with Brian Daboll, Hodgins quickly saw the field, playing in eight regular-season games with five starts. He finished with 33 catches for 351 yards and four touchdowns (team high tied with Richie James). In the playoff game against the Vikings, Hodgins caught eight more passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Collin Johnson, who was making some noise early, tore his Achilles’ tendon in training camp. Kalil Pimpleton, Makai Polk, and Jaydon Mickens were on the Practice Squad.

ADDITIONS/SUBTRACTIONS: The Giants finally had the cap room in March to cut Kenny Golladay after two seasons of his disastrous 4-year contract. The Giants appear to have made no effort to re-sign their leading receiver, Richie James, and he departed in free agency for the Chiefs. Marcus Johnson remains an unsigned free agent whose NFL career is likely over.

The Giants re-signed Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, David Sills, Kalil Pimpleton, Makai Polk, and Jaydon Mickens with Slayton receiving the biggest investment at two years and $12 million.

The new additions have been significant. Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, and Jeff Smith were signed in free agency. The Giants traded up in the 3rd round to draft Jalin Hyatt. Bryce Ford-Wheaton was signed as a rookie free agent after the draft.

TRAINING CAMP STORY LINES:  The pundits, media, and some of the fans have focused on the apparent absence of a “true number one” wideout. Based on early indications, the number one target in this offense is actually going to be tight end/wide receiver hybrid Darren Waller with the true wide receivers being more complementary targets. The good news is that the Giants now appear to have a plethora of NFL-caliber options. There are no Toney’s refusing to practice. Or $72 million players who can’t get open, but you can’t cut. Marcus Johnson and David Sills won’t be starting. While there may be no Pro Bowlers, there could be eight guys on the team who are legitimate NFL players. The concern? What is the upside of all of these eight players? Will any of them present problems for opposing defenses? That remains to be determined.

The story lines are almost as numerous as the players vying for playing time. Who receives the most snaps? With Waller and Daniel Bellinger at tight end, how often will the Giants use 3- and 4-wide receiver sets? Can seriously injured players such as Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, and Collin Johnson regain earlier form? Will Robinson and Shepard start and/or finish training camp on the PUP? Can Parris Campbell stay healthy and re-capture his collegiate form as a true difference maker? Was Isaiah Hodgins productivity a mirage or did the Bills make a huge mistake? Does Jamison Crowder have anything left in the tank as receiver and returner? Can Jalin Hyatt get off press coverage and how rapidly can he be brought up to speed? How many make the 53-man roster?

ON THE BUBBLE: Last season, the Giants started the year with seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster. They will likely carry six or seven this year. The true locks are probably Wan’Dale Robinson (2nd round draft pick) and Jalin Hyatt (3rd round draft pick), with the caveat that Robinson may start and finish camp on the PUP. Early indications are that Parris Campbell will be a significant contributor and he’s very close to being a lock. One would think Isaiah Hodgins is a lock unless last year was truly a mirage. The Giants did re-sign Darius Slayton to a 2-year, $12 million deal so he should be more favored to make it as well. That’s five, leaving Sterling Shepard, Collin Johnson, and Jamison Crowder vying for one or two spots.

Though long shots, I would not completely discount Jeff Smith, Makai Polk, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton.

FROM TEAM COACHES/PLAYERS: Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka on Jalin Hyatt: “Jalin is doing a nice job. He’s right on schedule. He’s working. He’s growing. That’s one thing you’ve seen from him from the first day in rookie camp, to the next day, then you’re working through this Phase III part of it, is his growth and his familiarity and comfortability with the offense.”

Wide Receivers Coach Mike Groh on Jalin Hyatt: “I think if we had major concerns (with the route tree) maybe he wouldn’t be here. Very pleased with what he has shown us on the field so far… We have a lot of confidence in the player that he can be. ”

Wide Receivers Coach Mike Groh on Parris Campbell: “I think he has done a great job of coming in and learning our system, being able to assimilate very quickly and build a relationship with Daniel (Jones) out there on the field, build that kind of rapport that is very important between quarterbacks and receivers.” (Note: Groh coached Campbell for two years with the Indianapolis Colts).

Parris Campbell on the wide receivers: “This is definitely probably the fastest total complete group that I’ve played with in my career. I mean, we’ve got speed all across the board. It’s speed that can do a lot of different things. It’s not just guys running in a straight line fast, it’s ball in the hands fast. In their routes fast. We complement each other. I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Sterling Shepard on the wide receivers: “It’s probably the (largest) receiver group I’ve been a part of since I’ve been here… We wanted to bring in competition… We’re definitely going to see what we have because we have a lot of guys that can play some good ball. I love the fact that we added more play-makers. It’s not just on one person to make all the plays. We’ve got a lot of guys that can do it.”

Sterling Shepard on his rehab status: “I’m right on schedule where I wanted to be, a little bit ahead… My goal is to be ready for the season.”

PREDICTIONS/CLOSING THOUGHTS: Nothing is set stone and everything seems in flux at the position. That has led to speculation that the 2023 New York Giants will use a committee approach at wide receiver with new starters and/or adjusted playing time on a week-by-week basis. That’s certainly possible. The coaching staff has proven to be flexible and able to adjust on the fly. Players returning from injury or getting injured can certainly change the situation as well. However, cream tends to rise to the top and there are opportunities for players to lock down starting jobs.

I am going to take John Schmeelk’s lead and break down the position into the following three baskets:

  • Receivers with size: Isaiah Hodgins, Collin Johnson, David Sills, Makai Polk, Bryce Ford-Wheaton
  • Outside receivers with speed: Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, Jeff Smith
  • Slot receivers: Parris Campbell, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, Jamison Crowder, Kalil Pimpleton, Jaydon Mickens

Looking at these baskets, I would think ideally the Giants want two players from each group. That is, two receivers with size, two with outside speed, two who can play the slot. One of these six needs to have return skills on special teams. However, right now, the Giants seem to have more quality at the slot position. You could make the case for Campbell, Robinson, Shepard, and Crowder all making the team, though that seems difficult on paper.

Complicating matters a bit are questions about the ability of Campbell and Shepard to play outside, and Hyatt’s heavy usage as a slot receiver in college without facing press coverage. Really complicating matters are injury rehab questions with Wan’Dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard.

Shepard tore his ACL in September and seems closer to returning. He was running routes at or near full speed in mini-camp. While he might start training camp on the PUP, it does not look like he will be on it very long if he does. The status of Robinson is more vague. He tore his ACL in November. There was one unconfirmed report that he should be ready by training camp, but no updates during the OTAs and mini-camp. That said, Giants.com‘s Lance Meadow recently predicted him making the 53-man roster recently. Does he know something or is he just spit-balling?

Let’s look at the early signs. The starters in spring were Hodgins and Slayton outside with Campbell in the slot. Campbell seemed to be the headliner from the reports, being used in a variety of ways including out of the backfield similar to how the coaches intended to use Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson last year. Campbell also has a lot of experience on jet sweeps/end arounds with the Buckeyes and Colts. He’s got a running backs mentality blended with legit 4.3 speed. The question with him is staying healthy.

The presence of Saquon Barkley, Darren Waller, and Parris Campbell is going to place a ton of pressure on opposing defenses in the short-to-intermediate zones, with all three also being able to easily sneak down the field for the big play. Each can also do damage after the catch. Campbell could be poised for a very big year. This offensive scheme is ideal for his skillset, being used on bubble screens, jet sweeps, getting the ball to him on quick passes over the middle in full stride, etc. What will be fascinating to watch is when Wan’Dale Robinson is fully healthy. How will the coaching staff employ him with Campbell? Probably similar to the plans they had in place with Kadarius Toney and Robinson that we never saw. (Remember the “why do the Giants have both Toney and Robinson?” debates).

The wild cards in all of this are numerous:

  • The glaring missing component is the consistent outside deep threat. With all of the underneath threats, can Darius Slayton re-capture his eight touchdown rookie season? He doesn’t have to catch 6-8 passes a game, but the team needs him to stretch the defense and not disappear for long stretches. He proved he could be that deep threat in 2019, but has been far too inconsistent since then. Which version do we get?
  • If Slayton can’t do it, can Jalin Hyatt? He has great speed and great hands. But he has to prove he can get off press coverage. And it usually takes rookie wide receivers some time to learn pro-level concepts. If Hyatt can develop quickly, this offense could be a nightmare to defend. When Hyatt is on the field, the defense has to respect his deep speed, opening things up underneath for Waller, Barkley, Campbell, Bellinger, and company.
  • What is the true upside of Isaiah Hodgins? Is he as good as he looked late in the 2022 season, meaning that the Bills made a huge mistake in cutting him? If he can develop into a reliable, consistent security blanket for Daniel Jones, that would be a huge asset. Keep in mind, he scored five touchdowns in nine games for the Giants.
  • Collin Johnson was making noise in training camp last year before he got hurt. He’s also saw a lot of action this spring in non-contact drills. He is not a speedster, but he is intriguing because of his 6’6”, 220-pound frame. Preseason flash-in-the-pan or a legitimate roster contender?
  • Sterling Shepard is the kind of guy you love to root for. However, he simply has not been able to stay healthy. Shepard has missed significant time in five of his seven NFL seasons and has played in just 10 games the past two years. Every preseason we hope for breakout season and every year he gets hurt. But can you completely count him out? I wouldn’t.
  • Jamison Crowder. Full disclosure, I live in the DC area so I saw a lot of Crowder when he played in Washington. He’s always impressed me. Quarterback issues with the Jets and a broken ankle with the Bills in 2022 limited his productivity, but we’re talking about a 30-year old with 4,667 yards and 28 touchdowns. It shows you how much the talent level has improved at the position that he’s on the fringe on this roster. He also has experience as a returner. Crowder and Shepard may be vying against each other for the final roster spot and the return ability helps his cause.

If I had to go out on a limb, I say by the end of the year, Hodgins, Campbell, and Hyatt are the core group with Robinson being the jack-of-all trades/gadget player. Not impressed? Just keep in mind the presence of Waller and Bellinger at tight end.

FINAL DEPTH CHART: Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, Collin Johnson, and Jamison Crowder.

Wan’Dale Robinson to start the year on the PUP for four weeks.

The toughest call is on Shepard, an extremely popular player. The issues here are three-fold: (1) injury-proneness, (2) lack of special teams value, and (3) how much playing time would he receive? He would have to push Hodgins outside or Campbell inside for playing time. It is possible the team keeps seven wideouts again, however.

Look for 3-4 wide receivers to be on the Practice Squad again. I would think Jeff Smith and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are two obvious choices.

Mar 232023
 
Jamison Crowder, Buffalo Bills (September 19, 2022)

Jamison Crowder – © USA TODAY Sports

GIANTS SIGN JAMISON CROWDER…
The New York Giants have signed unrestricted free agent wide receiver Jamison Crowder (Buffalo Bills) to a reported 1-year contact.

The 29-year old, 5’9”, 177-pound Crowder was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He has spent time with Washington (2015-2018), New York Jets (2019-2021), and Buffalo Bills (2022). In eight NFL seasons, Crowder has played in 100 regular-season games with 51 starts, catching 415 passes for 4,667 yards and 28 touchdowns. He only played in four games in 2022 due to a broken ankle that he suffered in Week 4. Crowder lacks ideal size, but he has been a productive slot receiver. Crowder also has experience returning punts.

JAGUARS SIGN HENRY MONDEAUX…
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux away from the New York Giants. Mondeaux was not tendered by the Giants as a potential restricted free agent, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Giants signed Mondeaux to the Practice Squad in September 2022 and the 53-man roster in November 2022. He ended up playing in 11 regular-season games with four starts, being credited with 16 tackles. Mondeaux played 33 percent of defensive snaps in games that he appeared. The 6’5”, 280-pound Mondeaux was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New Orleans Saints after the 2018 NFL Draft. He has spent time with the Saints (2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019), and Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-2022). The Steelers waived him in late August 2022. Mondeaux has played in 37 NFL games with six starts, accruing just 37 tackles and two sacks. He is mainly a run defender who lacks the athletic ability to make flashy plays.

For a listing of the team’s free agents, see the New York Giants 2023 Free Agency Scorecard.

Apr 022015
 
Amari Cooper, Alabama Crimson Tide (November 8, 2014)

Amari Cooper – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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New York Giants 2015 NFL Draft Preview: Wide Receivers

by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Sy’56

*Below are my published, abbreviated reports via Ourlads Scouting Services, LLC

**A note about Pro Upside Comparisons: These are comparisons that are based on the player reaching his ceiling. It does not necessarily mean I believe the player will “be as good as”.

CURRENT WRs ON NYG ROSTER

Odell Beckham – 23 Years old – Signed through 2017

Victor Cruz – 29 Years old – Signed through 2018

Rueben Randle – 24 Years old – Signed through 2015

Preston Parker – 28 Years old – Signed through 2015

Dwayne Harris – 28 Years old – Signed through 2019

Kevin Ogletree – 28 Years old – Signed through 2015

Corey Washington – 24 Years old – Signed through 2016

Marcus Harris – 26 Years old – Signed through 2015

Julian Talley – 26 Years old – Signed through 2016

Chris Harper – 26 Years old – Signed through 2015

Juron Criner – 26 Years old – Signed through 2016

WHERE THEY STAND

This is a position that could rightfully be considered a major strength for the team or a liability based on who you ask. Beckham came out of his rookie season giving NYG fans a reason to hope that they may finally have an elite level playmaker at the position. While the sophomore struggles are fairly common among NFL wide receivers, there is something about him that just screams yearly production. He has ‘special’ written all over him. Cruz is the wildcard of this group and his return from a nasty knee injury as he approaches 29 years old is a major factor in how well this passing game can maintain an upward trend. If he returns anything close to 100% of what he was, NYG has one of the better 1-2 punches at WR in the league. Randle is only 24 years old and has disappointed as much as he has impressed but nobody can argue that there is still a ceiling with him that hasn’t been reached. He could be poised for a breakout year but the consistency needs to be there in his year 4 season. Beyond those three, there are a bunch of relative unknowns but some of these guys really have shown something more than just potential. Dwayne Harris was signed for his special teams prowess but with that contract, NYG brass may like his skill set enough to get 15+ snaps per game at WR. Parker showed he can contribute from multiple angles but even though I love his story, he is a replaceable player. Marcus Harris was my favorite under the radar WR last preseason, I think he can stick if he returns to form from his injury. Ogletree, Washington, Talley, Harper, and Criner are all training camp bodies that offer their own set of unique tools and skills but in reality should not be impacting NYG’s draft weekend decisions.

TOP 20 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1 – Amari Cooper – Alabama – 6’1/211 – 87

Pro Upside Comparison: Reggie Wayne/RET

Strong Points: Highly skilled, talented athlete that can do everything you want out of a receiver. Quick accelerator, goes form 0-60 in a blink. Elite route runner with quickness in to and out of his breaks. Consistently runs his way open. Reliable, strong hands that plucks the ball out of the air. Elite ball skills and tracking ability. Can chase down a deep ball and position his body to shield a defender from getting in the way. Physical with the ball in his hands, has a running back-type approach with low pad level and strong leg drive. Fearless in traffic and has a strong power presence as a blocker. Reliable as an underneath and deep target. Combines almost all of the essential traits at once no matter what the play call is.

Weak Points: Plays the game so hard and takes way too many hits. His not so serious, but nagging, injuries are starting to pile up. Doesn’t have the elite deep speed to run away from defensive backs or consistently knife through a secondary. Will show lapses in concentration as a receiver and try to run before seeing the ball in.

Summary: All-American receiver and the 2014 Heisman Runner Up. Winner of the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top wide receiver. Cooper is an elite level prospect that will be NFL-ready the day he steps on to the field. He is one of the best route runners to come out of college and he combines that with an aggressive, highly skilled pass catching ability. He is quicker than he is fast, but he has more than enough athleticism to factor as an explosive playmaker in the NFL from day one. The sky is the limit for Cooper as long as he can avoid the injuries that come from such an aggressive style of play.

*I’ve been pretty consistent with my view of Cooper and how I think NYG should approach him. If he is available when they are on the clock, every other plan goes out the window and they should bring him in. Cooper is not a necessity for this offense but he is the perfect compliment to Beckham for the end of Manning’s career. Whether Cruz returns to his former self or not, Cooper fits this offense. He is an NFL-ready route runner with NFL-caliber ball skills and yard-after-catch ability. There isn’t anything he struggles with. The only reason he isn’t elite (90+) is the amount of times he has been nicked up due to his style of play. It is my only concern with him.

2 – Kevin White – West Virginia – 6’3/215 – 85

Pro Upside Comparison: Julio Jones/ATL

Strong Points: Quick and explosive off the snap. Can get off press coverage with a blend of strength and quick-twitch movement. Physical hands catcher. The ball is swallowed by his hands upon contact. Easy change of direction, fluid hips and light feet. Fiery competitor. Reliable and tough in traffic. Can get to the ball at the apex of his leap and will win the majority of one on one situations. Can adjust his momentum and balance on the move. Reacts to the ball fast and easy. Aggressive after the catch and shows running back type tendencies with the ball in his hands. Can outmuscle, outfight most defensive backs.

Weak Points: Doesn’t pay attention to the details when it comes to route running. Wasn’t given a full route tree and doesn’t have a lot of experience reading coverage and running options routes. Doesn’t play to his timed speed. Separation from more athletic cornerbacks is inconsistent. Lacks smooth and effortless movement ability. Effort as a blocker doesn’t match his effort as a receiver.

Summary: Spent two seasons with the Mountaineers after a two year run at Lackawanna College. Had some maturity issues during his pre-West Virginia career. White broke out in a huge way in 2014 including a masterful performance against Alabama week 1. His blend of size, speed, and aggression make him a legit downfield threat each play. White can beat a defense several ways. He has more than enough speed and quickness to pair with his ball skills. He is a tough matchup for any kind of cover man. He can be a day one starter for half the teams in the league if his route running is on par.

*I wouldn’t necessarily argue against those that say White has a higher ceiling than Cooper. His triangle numbers (height/weight/speed) are better by a nice margin and he is a much more aggressive, power-based type athlete. He would scare an opposing defense more than Cooper. If he is there at #9, there is a very small amount of players I would take over him. White is a top 5 overall guy in this class, perhaps even top 3. I think he will need more development time than Cooper, as he can be a pretty sloppy route runner and he doesn’t show the natural awareness and feel for the game. I am getting way ahead of myself and perhaps I shouldn’t…but part of me would be worried about the personalities of White and Beckham being on the field together. They both have a little “diva” in them.

3 – Nelson Agholor – USC – 6’0/198 – 81

Pro Upside Comparison: Jeremy Maclin/KC

Strong Points: Quick and efficient mover with body control and balance. Explosive route runner, gets in and out of breaks with speed. Can change direction while moving at full force. Smooth receiver with elite ball skills. Pure hands catcher. Comes down with a lot of passes in traffic. Excels at running the underneath routes and showing no hesitation over the middle in extending his body to reach the ball. Incredibly savvy when it comes to reading the defense and finding lanes. Tough to bring down in the open field, slippery to tacklers. Polished receiver that does almost everything well.

Weak Points: Top end speed is just average. Has a hard time getting deep separation from defensive backs. Won’t outrun a secondary. Takes a lot of hits with his overly aggressive running style while in possession of the ball. Lacks the size and length that you want out of an outside receiver. Doesn’t have any of the “wow” factor to his game.

Summary: School record setting punt returner with a very well-developed NFL caliber skill set. Easy mover in space with the ability to run himself open against any kind of coverage. Agholor is a reliable underneath target that can make things happen with the ball in his hands. He lacks the ideal size and long speed that the elite receivers possess, but he can a key contributor within an NFL offense. He has a heady approach to the game and plays at a very quick, jitterbug type pace. His role as a receiver may be restricted to the slot positions but he is as reliable as it gets and he grades out very well as a return specialist.

*The more I saw of Agholor as the offseason progressed, the more I became intrigued by his pro potential. I’ve said this before and I will say it again. If you like Cooper a lot, you almost have to like Agholor. He isn’t on the same level but they are similar-type receivers. Agholor is dangerous with the ball in his hands, he’s tough over the middle, he can consistently run himself open. He had a couple performances on tape that most WRs in this class couldn’t put together. In addition, he may be the best punt returner in the class. Out of Marquise Lee, Robert Woods, and Agholor, I am taking Agholor every day.

4 – Jaelen Strong – Arizona State – 6’2/217 – 80

Pro Upside Comparison: Jordan Matthews/PHI

Strong Points: Big and physical. Can outmuscle most defensive backs that try to mix it up with him. Productive pass catcher in traffic. Tall and thick with huge hands. Long strider that can run away from a secondary when he has the ball in his hands. High on-field IQ, reads the defense and makes quick decisions and reactions. A weapon in traffic. Shows no hesitation in going after the ball over the middle in a prone position to be hit. High points the ball. Hard runner after the catch . Tough for a lone defensive back to bring down. Can plant his foot and change direction. Quick change of direction. Strong blocker that takes pride in that part of the game.

Weak Points: Rounds his routes when moving laterally. Lacks the explosion out of his breaks. Top end speed may be average. Doesn’t show the elusive ability to miss tacklers with the ball in his hands. Will let the ball in to his body. Still has some raw tendencies to his game as a pass catcher.

Summary: Junior entry. Former JUCO player that spent two years at ASU, leading the Sun Devils in receiving both seasons. Strong plays a big. Physical game with some sneaky athletic ability. He has elite upside with his combination of size, strength, speed, and ball skills. He is a weapon on 3rd down and near the end zone with his ability in traffic to go up and get the ball. Strong has a versatile tool and skill set that does need to be smoothed around the edges, but his potential and current level of play should get him drafted very high.

*For awhile I had Strong up there with Cooper and White. I love big guys that compete before and after the catch the way Strong does. He can come in to the league day one and match the physical nature of any defensive back in the league. He is big, tough, and long and knows how to use his body. Part of me thinks that if NYG wants to go with an early round WR, Strong is the type of guy they should bring in to compliment what is already on the roster. He won’t make a top 9 overall grade but I doubt he will be there with their second selection. If he drops to their second, he would be an outstanding addition to the passing game. He is made for this kind of scheme. His main issue is he may need more time to develop than what NYG fans want to deal with based on the lack of routes he ran at ASU.

5 – DeVante Parker – Louisville – 6’3/209 – 78

Pro Upside Comparison: AJ Green/CIN

Strong Points: Tool-happy receiver with a well developed skill set. Good game speed, able to break free from a pack and outrun defensive backs. Can get behind a secondary on deep routes. Can burst out of a still position and get in to his long, fast strides quickly. Elite ball skills. Huge hands that swallow the ball upon contact. Great eye-hand coordination, consistently grabs the ball away from his body. Craft and savvy after the catch, knows where to run and when to make cuts. Strong presence, can hold his ground and maintain power in traffic. A threat all over the field that can run himself open as well as reach the ball first in traffic.

Weak Points: Loses some of his athleticism when tracking the ball. Will struggle to separate underneath on quick routes. His change of direction with the ball in his hands is slow. Foot injury forced him to miss 7 games in 2014. Has a bit of a lanky frame and will move with some imbalance and lack of stability at times.

Summary: Despite missing the first 7 games of the 2014 season with a broken foot, Parker had a dominant run to end his career. He started off hot right away as a freshman in 2011 and hasn’t looked back since. Parker has legit deep speed with long, powerful strides. His hands and ball skills are in the elite tier and he has an enormous catch radius. His height and long arms with big hands will favor him in the NFL. Teams will need to look deeper in to his injury from the early fall and confirm that he can move without issues. There is still some physical development that needs to happen here, but Parker has elite potential.

*Based on his tools, set of skills, and style of play Parker could be a nice fit for NYG in round 2. Like Strong, he brings the necessary triangle numbers to the table that the offense could use to balance out what they currently have. Nobody can argue the level of dominance Parker showed when he returned from injury in 2014. My only grip with him, and it’s one I saw every time I scouted him, is a lack of quick twitch, reaction, and suddenness. He almost always appears to be a step behind or a step too slow when it comes to the quicker elements to the game. Is he just that smooth? I don’t think so. I’ve seen WRs like this before and when they are put in to the blend of speed, quickness, and physical nature of the NFL they end up caving. It just scares me a little and is the main reason I don’t have him as a top 20 overall guy. I still like Parker as a round 2 option but only behind the guys above him on this list.

6 – Devin Smith – Ohio State – 6’0/196 – 78

Pro Upside Comparison: Torrey Smith/SF

Strong Points: Big play threat with elite-level speed and explosion. Efficient mover that moves with grace and balance. Easy acceleration and burst. Comfortable hands catcher. Smooth process for him to bring the ball in. Tremendous coordination from head to toe, very body-aware. Adjusts to where the ball is thrown with ease. Can set up defensive backs and trick them in to being out of position to flip their hips and run deep. Competitive, fiery player that displays passion for the game on and off the field. Physically and mentally tough. Will make a difference as a blocker via effort and intensity.

Weak Points: One trick pony. Doesn’t make much of an impact other than running deep route. Ran a limited route tree in college. Doesn’t run routes as well as his athleticism says he should. Doesn’t break a lot of tackles, won’t play with a power presence. Can be jammed at the point of attack. Doesn’t show a variety of ways to get off the line against press coverage.

Summary: Smith is one of the fastest players in the country and should be considered a top tier deep threat coming from speed and explosion. He has shown the consistent ability to run by anyone, even the fastest defensive backs that college football had to offer. Averaged over 27 yards per catch in 2014. Also is an accomplished Track and Field athlete, starring in the high jump. Smith has a rare blend of speed and body control. He moves so well and makes it look so smooth. He is an impact athlete with some developed football skills. He will need to improve his route running if he wants to be more than a guy that just knifes through a defense.

*So back in September I watched Smith twice. This was before Beckham broke out the way he did and both games I wrote down notes including similar movement ability to NYG’s Beckham. Now I don’t want to compare the two as receivers, but there is something about Smith that screams potential star to me. His body control and movement aesthetics are elite. His ability get behind the defense is elite. His ball skills downfield in one on one situations are elite. Smith is a little bit of a one trick pony right now, as there are holes in his game as an underneath route runner and receiver that needs to get off press coverage. Reese has always loved guys that can knife through a secondary and Smith may be the best of the class in that category.

7 – Tony Lippett – Michigan State – 6’2/192 – 77

Pro Upside Comparison: Stevie Johnson/SD

Strong Points: Long and wiry athlete with big hands. Smart player that can read coverages and adjust on the move. Incredibly savvy before and after the catch, has eyes on the back of his head. Gets off the line with ease. Can press the corner or dance around him, does a nice job of mixing it up. Light and easy feet. Accelerates quickly, can get open underneath. Explosive deep route runner. Easy hands catcher, will swallow the ball on contact. Makes all the tough catches in traffic. Can out-athlete most defenders. Plays a fast and aggressive game.

Weak Points: Needs to spend time in the weight room. Too often did physical play knock him off his game. Doesn’t make seamless lateral cuts as a route runner. Has to slow down too much when changing direction. Might be a straight line athlete only. Won’t be an impact blocker.

Summary: Fifth year senior. Finished his career strong, winning Big 10 receiver of the year and team MVP honors. Lippett is an interesting prospect. He shows the necessary tools to be a playmaker in the NFL on offense with a nice blend of height, length, and ball skills. When the team needed an extra cornerback however, it was Lippett that stepped up and performed admirably. Lippett is as smart and instinctive as you’ll find at the college level. His movement after the catch is seamless and he consistently tricks the defensive backfield with double and decoy routes. He has all the tools of a starting caliber, productive receiver and his approach couldn’t be better. Lippett is a darkhorse prospect worth looking in to early.

*I am really surprised that there aren’t more people talking about Lippett as a potential star player in the NFL. He is very tools-rich and shows an interesting skill set that a lot of other guys in this class lack. He is physical enough, smart enough, and selfless enough to have played both sides of the ball. Some scouts have said he can play a legit CB in the NFL. I like how he tracks the ball downfield and there is an element of toughness to him that I want out of a WR. NYG has gone tools-rich on a lot of their WR prospects. This guy has some goods but a lack of top end speed may get him drafted day three, an outstanding value.

8 – Chris Conley – Georgia – 6’2/213 – 77

Pro Upside Comparison: Roddy White/ATL

Strong Points: Strong and physical receiver that can outmuscle defensive backs as well as knife through the top of a secondary. Long reach and big, strong hands. Gets off the line fast and hard. Quick change of direction. Gets his head around and hands up quickly. Smooth pass catcher, controls the ball on contact. Elite body control in traffic and near the sideline. Has a physical presence as a blocker, makes the effort to make an impact without the ball.

Weak Points: Struggles to separate from man coverage. Won’t outrun defensive backs with the ball in his hands. Doesn’t show the agility with the ball in his hands to shake defenders and break free. Average suddenness, reaction to the defense is often a step behind.

Summary: Fourth year senior that has made steady improvement each season of his career. Led the Bulldogs in receiving in 2013 and 2014. Conley is a smooth operator with the size, strength, and ball skills of a starting caliber NFL wide receiver. He may lack the quick twitch and agility to factor as a threat after the catch, but he consistently made plays downfield with big time speed and explosion and appears to understand the mental side of the game very well. He will make a roster and work his way in to a rotation in due time.

*I have to admit I was upset when Conley showed up at Indianapolis and put on an absolute freak show. Since October he has been one of my favorite under the radar prospects in this overall class. Then he goes out and runs a 4.35 40 and leads all WRs in the vertical and broad jump by wide margins respectively. On the field, Conley is a physical player that can out-physical most defensive backs. He is really good near the sidelines and in the end zone. If NYG wants to add a bigger body to their receiving core, but don’t want to use a 1st or 2nd on it, Conley is on the short list of guys that would present value that also fit the need starting in round 3. Exceptional kid off the field as well.

9 – Phillip Dorsett – Miami – 5’9/185 – 77

Pro Upside Comparison: Antonio Brown/PIT

Strong Points: Top tier speed and explosion. Has elite track speed but is also football fast. Can go from 0-60 in a blink. Knifes through a secondary. Can plant his foot while moving at full force and change direction. Quick to get out of breaks. Can run routes with explosion and elite change of direction ability. Good ball skills, tracks it well and can position his body to make a play on the ball. Can change speed and maintain full body control. Dangerous after the catch, can outrun angles. Strong effort as a blocker, will run downfield and get in the way.

Weak Points: Lack of size hurts him in traffic. Doesn’t come down with a lot of balls when guys are around him. May be limited to just a space player. Doesn’t run routes to his physical capability. Hands aren’t strong, will body catch a lot. Doesn’t play with a savvy sense of where the defense is around him. Physical presence as a blocker is limited. Torn ACL in 2013 ended his season in October.

Summary: Dorsett may be the fastest player in college football. His speed is not just track-based, he knows how to use it functionally. His burst and sudden change of direction make him a tough cover for any lone defensive back. He is the kind of player that an entire defense needs to be aware of. He averaged over 26 yards per catch in 2014. He may not make a play-to-play impact, but he is a guy that keeps opposing defenders up at night because of what he can do with his top tier speed.

*When a player with legit sub 4.3 speed pops up, you can’t help but give him another look. Dorsett is more than a blazer, however. There is actual football speed with him. He can change direction with ease and there is a high level of suddenness to him when he runs routes. He can outrun angles once he has the ball in his hands and combined with good vision, he is a major threat each time he touches the ball. I really like how he bounced back from his ACL injury this past season. He is a legit 2nd/3rd round pick that can impact much more than the return game.

10 – Justin Hardy – East Carolina – 5’10/192 – 76

Pro Upside Comparison: Greg Jennings/MIN

Strong Points: Smart and savvy route runner with precise cuts in and out of his breaks. Big, strong, and reliable hands that swallow the ball. Excellent body control. Can adjust to the poorly thrown ball and come down with it in traffic. Can run himself open consistently. Tracks the ball downfield without losing speed or balance. Quick reaction and movement after the catch.

Weak Points: Doesn’t have that final gear to run away from defensive backs in space. Shorter frame, doesn’t have much of a power presence. Struggles to separate downfield. Limited athlete.

Summary: Hardy is the all time FBS leader in career receptions. He is as sure handed as it gets and can run NFL-caliber routes along with a savvy decision making ability. He doesn’t have the elite speed but his combination of body control, quickness, and agility make him a dangerous threat with the ball in his hands. He is also an experienced punt returner.

*I don’t care what kind of offensive scheme you play in, if you have the kind of production Hardy has over a career, you are worth an extra look. I put a lot of attention on Hardy since the season ended and he has a legit skill set to excel in the NFL from the slot. He is quicker than he is fast but once the pads are on, he is a tough guy to cover. He has the elite suddenness and body control but also knows how to finish off a play with catching ability. NYG loves the prospects with big, sure hands and long arms and despite the lack of top end height, Hardy has both. If this team wants to improve their slot receiving, Hardy is on a short list of guys that can be had on day 2, maybe even early day 3, that can contribute right away.

11 – Mario Alford – West Virginia – 5’8/180 – 76

*More than a speed guy. Alford has elite level explosion indeed but he can run crisp and sharp routes, gets open with ease. Tough after the catch as well.

12 – Austin Hill – Arizona – 6’2/214 – 76

*Might be the toughest yard-after-catch guy in the class. Unfortunate injury in 2013 that took him longer than normal to recover from. May not have the elite speed and quickness but he showed flashes of his dominant 2012 self.

13 – Devin Funchess – Michigan – 6’4/232 – 75

*Big and rangy with superb ball skills. In the right scheme he can be a Jimmy Graham type but he needs to be more physical and willing in traffic. Manning would do well with a WR like this, however.

14 – Rashad Greene – Florida State – 5’11/182 – 75

*Sure handed and reliable underneath route runner. The lack of size is overblown, he is as smooth a receiver you will find and can be a weapon for an offense than relies on WRs getting themselves open via quick routes and savvy reading of the defense.

15 – Samme Coates – Auburn – 6’1/212 – 75

*Tools rich receiver that showed at least one flash per game of a guy that was capable of making a big impact. Lacks the consistent skill set but I think his actual ability was a bit hidden in the Auburn scheme. He will need extra time to develop but there is an upside here that most WRs don’t have.

16 – Dorial Green-Beckham – Oklahoma – 6’5/231 – 74

*If it weren’t for the off-field troubles you are talking about a top 45 overall guy here. But a year-plus away from the game and questionable character, he drops. There are holes in his game too and I don’t think the Calvin Johnson comparisons are fair. He doesn’t have that kind of speed or suddenness or ball skills.

17 – Jamison Crowder – Duke – 5’8/185 – 74

*Put the lack of size to the side and nobody can argue his ability to make things happen. He is explosive with the ball in his hands and there isn’t a defender in the league that can stick to him underneath. Put him in the right offense and you have a Wes Welker clone.

18 – Tyler Lockett – Kansas State – 5’10 – 182 – 74

*Another slot-based prospect that can help the return game in a big way. One of the better route runners in the class and showed the ability to make really tough catches in traffic. For a small guy he plays big in one on one situations.

19 – Kenny Bell – Nebraska – 6’1/197 – 74

*In the right scheme we may be talking about Bell as a top 45 overall guy. He has the athletic tools and NFL ready skill set to be a day three pick that contributes early in his career. Compares favorably to Kenny Stills, another guy that I said would far exceed expectations early in his career.

20 – John Harris – Texas – 6’2/218 – 74

*Probably my top sleeper in the draft. Was a non factor art Texas until his senior year but with the new coaching staff and actual talent at QB, Harris was able to show his sure hands, quick movement, and toughness after the catch. He will out produce several players drafted ahead of him.

TOP UDFA SLEEPER

DeAndre Smelter – Georgia Tech – 6’2/226

*Came to Georgia Tech as a top tier pro baseball prospect, playing OF and P. Was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2010. Injured his shoulder and turned to football in 2013. Smelter has raw ability that is tough to find. His triangle numbers are as good as it gets, but he is more than just a physical freak. Smelter is a tough, hard nosed player that will do a lot of little things that go unnoticed by the casual fans. His upside can be discussed with some of the top receivers in this class. The torn ACL will put a question mark on his 2015, but teams that want to develop a raw talent will look to Smelter.

NYG APPROACH

For the second year in a row I am saying that the WR class is probably the best I have ever seen. This is a much deeper group than what we saw last year. If this group as a whole can produce like the 2014 one did, NYG would be fortunate to bring one of these guys listed in at some point. While Cooper and White will be at the top of the overall board and a very likely preference at #9 overall, I wouldn’t stress if they were taken prior to them being on the clock. There will be several opportunities to bring in great value throughout the entire weekend.

I wouldn’t label the WR position as one of this team’s needs but in the same breath, it shouldn’t be ignored if the value is put in front of them. This is a league where you can’t have enough playmakers. This is a team that doesn’t have more than a couple legit threats that actually scare a defense. While the quantity of receivers is enough and while there are a couple of young names up there with some interesting upside, if White or Cooper is there at #9, you almost have to bring one of them in. I wouldn’t trade up for either, however. There shouldn’t be a sense of panic if one or both of them are gone before #9 because in all honesty, there is going to be a good value available at WR each time they are on the clock and I would even say they can find an immediate contributor in any of the first 3 or 4 rounds.