Name the Wide Receivers Who'll Make the 53 Man Roster

[BleedinBlue]

If there is one area in which we are truly blessed, it's the WR position. So many options for Eli, and if Brandon Myers lives up to expectations, we will terrorize our opponents with our offense.

 

Here's the list of current players vying for a spot on the team:

 

From http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/pfdepthchart/NYG

 

Left side Wide Receivers

(88) Nicks, Hakeem

(82) Randle, Rueben

(89) Adams, Kris

(6) Collins, Brandon

(00) Davis, Marcus

 

Right side Wide Receivers

(80) Cruz, Victor

(18) Murphy, Louis

(12) Jernigan, Jerrel

(15) Hardy, Kevin

 

Last year we carried six receivers, so I suspect we'll carry six again

 

Nicks, Cruz, and Randle are a given...so that means we keep three more.

In my opinion, we'll keep Murphy, Jernigan, and Davis.

 

Louis Murphy:

 

 

 

"...general manager Jerry Reese saying Murphy can "take the top off your defense."

 

Murphy is a four-year veteran with the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers. The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder has 115 career receptions. He averages 14.8 yards per reception for his career and has at least three receptions of longer than 50 yards. He reportedly has sub-4.4 40-yard dash speed. Free-agent Domenik Hixon, a Giant for five seasons, has one reception of longer than 50 yards. Ramses Barden, also a free agent, has a career-long reception of 31 yards.

 

"I think he's going to add another dimension to our offense," general manager Jerry Reese said in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "We have a scout named Jeremiah Davis and he talks about guys being a knife. This guy is a knife. This guy can take the top off your defense. He's an interesting guy. He gives us a different dimension in our offense. If we have the same guys, if we have (Hakeem) Nicks back healthy and we have (Victor) Cruz back, this guy gives you a deep threat that we haven't had. We haven't had a guy who can run like this guy."

 

Murphy was a fourth-round pick (124th overall) by the Raiders in 2009. He spent three seasons in Oakland and played last season in Carolina, catching 25 passes.

 

Marcus Davis:

 

 

"Of all of the wide receiver prospects to enter the 2013 NFL Draft, Virginia Tech's Marcus Davis may be the most difficult to figure out.

 

Davis was the most explosive player on a stagnant Hokies offense. He averaged a staggering 18.7 yards per catch on 51 catches, totaling 953 yards; just short of a school record.

 

Davis is a prospect that oozes potential and carries plenty of traits that translate well into the NFL, but he has maddening flaws in the mental and technical aspects of the game that will cause him to be a late-round selection; the part of the draft where boom-or-bust prospects are meant to be taken.

 

Athleticism

 

Davis certainly looks the part of an NFL receiver, measuring 6'3" and 233 pounds. He has arms that would be long enough to play left tackle, measuring at 33 3/4".

 

Coming off the bus, CBSSports.com's Shane Brugler likens Davis' athletic ability to that of Dez Bryant:

 

If players were judged strictly on athletic ability, Davis might be No. 1...Davis looks the part with a tall, bulky frame and the explosive athleticism to create with the ball in his hands, flashing a skill set that is very similar to Dez Bryant.

 

He ran an average 40 time of 4.56 seconds, but he flashes very good straight-line speed on tape. As a runner, Davis is a long strider who can outrun defensive backs without much difficulty.

 

Davis' athleticism does not stop with his speed. He has tremendous balance that allows him to turn and get a ton of yards after the catch. He has tremendous body control mid-air, which, in combination with his long arms and catching radius, allows him to "pluck" jump balls and help make up for what was very average quarterback play for the Hokies in 2012.

 

This 2011 play in the regular season finale against Virginia is perfect evidence of his ability to high-point the ball. First, he is able to beat press coverage with his hands and strength off the line.

 

Davis is then able to stop his route, fight off a defensive back (who would be called for interference), time his jump correctly and use his strength to reel in the catch.

 

His size allows him to simply overwhelm defensive backs, and he can be a load to bring down in the secondary.

 

Where Does He Fall Short?

 

If Davis is such a great prospect, then why is he not considered to be at the same level as some other top outside receivers like Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins? How does a leading receiver on a top BCS program with such enticing physical traits fall so far on draft day?

 

The biggest flaw in Davis' game is his concentration and attention to detail. He is blessed with incredible athleticism, but he only occasionally takes full advantage of it.

 

Davis has flashed the ability to make spectacular catches in traffic, but when he does not have to, he does not regularly catch the ball with his hands away from his body.

 

He has also gained a terrible reputation as a terrible blocker, to the point where Deadspin felt his lack of effort was worthy of a news story.

 

@NFLDraftBible "Virginia Tech WR Marcus Davis runs 4.40 unofficial 40yd dash at 6'3, 233. Nugget from Mayock: Was benched this past season for not blocking"

.

 

Davis has a huge frame, but he does not attack what are much smaller defenders like you would expect, often leading with his shoulder instead of using his long arms and big frame. Receivers are not drafted based on their ability to block, but the lack of effort in plays that he is not involved in is certainly a huge red flag.

 

What Is He Worth?

 

Davis has enough ability to have been among the top receivers in this draft, but his lapses in concentration and effort will lead to him being drafted anywhere between the mid-fourth to the sixth round. He will fit best as a perimeter receiver in the NFL.

 

The reason why Davis would be so enticing to NFL teams is the fact that just about all of his weaknesses are very much fixable. You can teach a player how to block and break bad technical habits, but you can't teach the raw talent Davis has to work with.

 

Whether or not Marcus Davis succeeds in the NFL will largely depend on the situation he is brought into. If he is given poor coaching and is trusted into the starting lineup right away with poor quarterback play, he will have a very difficult time adjusting to the professional game and becoming the best receiver he can be.

 

However, if he can go to a veteran roster and develop on the bottom of the depth chart and learn from older vets, he has a chance to truly blossom into a star. Whoever winds up taking a flier on Davis is not going to get an immediate impact player, but they could end up with something special if they have the patience to work with him.

 

If Davis is able to clean up his game and get the most out of his incredible physical tools, he will wind up being remembered as one of the biggest steals of the 2013 draft.

 

So go ahead guys...pick this apart and set me straight. I'm having football withdrawal now that the draft is in the books and the chatter has slowed to a crawl...except discussing our need for a LB.

[CrazedDogs]

I think you're dead on. Damn, what a group... twenty years ago, I never thought I'd see the Giants have wide receivers like that.

[BleedinBlue]

I think you're dead on. Damn, what a group... twenty years ago, I never thought I'd see the Giants have wide receivers like that.

Really! I can't get over the depth we have...especially if this Davis guy puts it together.

 

I was reading an interesting message on NJ.com about Cruz and his contract negotiations. He said:

 

"I hope the vets on the team are explaining to him (Cruz) how Steve Smith was so good he turned down $30M because he wanted more the following year on the open market. Now Smith makes chump change because he gets reinjured every year and hasn't had a real QB since leaving Eli. I trust that Cruz is too smart for that and a deal will get done".

 

That guy is right on the money. Cruz needs to put the ink to the paper and get ready for the season.

[osi724dasack]

It's def bad karma for intelligent players to not take the money when it's there.

 

Mike Wallace doesn't count because he's stupid.

[osi724dasack]

My list

 

1.) Nicks

2.) Cruz

3.) Randle

4.) Murphy

5.) Davis

6.) Jernigan

[Allstarjim]

I think that is the most likely group that we'll see unless another roster move is made. I think Jernigan is actually on the bubble. I wouldn't be surprised to see a slot guy to come in if Jernigan doesn't impress in preseason.

[gmenroc]

I think the only reason JJ is still around is for kick/punt returning in a pinch. Murphy can do that too if I remember reading it correctly. So competition at the KR/PR spot is crucial. Don't give me Wilson in that discussion because I don't want my starting RB returning kicks.

 

JJ is easily replaced if the right guy comes along.

[BleedinBlue]

Giants are kicking the tires on 3 time Pro-bowl free agent Josh Cribbs today. He's a kickoff/return specialist. Last year he burned the Giants in game 5 with 6 kickoff returns for 221 yards, including a 74 yarder.

 

It would make a log jam at the receiver position as Cribbs also plays WR

[Herc]

i'd love to have cribbs and he's a better wr than jj anyway. im surprised he's still out there

[BleedinBlue]

i'd love to have cribbs and he's a better wr than jj anyway. im surprised he's still out there

He's probably out there for the same reason Dansby is still out there...wanting a long term multi-year contract. If he'd settle for a 1 or 2 year deal, he'd be signed already....especially at 29 yrs old.

 

Free agents are having a helluva time finding a market for their above average skillset if they aren't willing to take a one year deal. Are you listening Victor??? Tell Jay-Z to stick to rappin and take Mara's money and get back to business.

[Treehugger]

Cribbs would be awesome but I bet he's wanting to be a real WR somewhere, not #5-6 on our roster.

[BleedinBlue]

Cribbs would be awesome but I bet he's wanting to be a real WR somewhere, not #5-6 on our roster.

Good point. However, if he can make millions as a return specialist, he should jump at the money. I know I would in a heart beat. And in the case of a lot of injuries, he might even end up playing some WR. Tyree was a gunner and ST specialist, but came in on occasion to play WR...for which he will be forever immortalized in SuperBowl history!

 

I say...let's get him and let Jernigan and Cribbs fight it out for the last receiver on the team. If Cribbs doesn't cut it as a slot receiver, then keep him for returns only and the occasional fill in when injuries pile up.

[Bigblue25]

Jernigan could be the better RS and backup slot guy, I say no on Cribbs

[NeMesiS]

Cribbs fumbles too much. No thanks!

[Sephiroth]

Jerrell Jernigan is Sinorice Moss without the production.

 

And that's REALLY saying something.

[Mr. P]

Nicks Cruz Randle Jernigan Murphy Sales

[BleedinBlue]

Nicks Cruz Randle Jernigan Murphy Sales

Sales???

 

Do you mean Marcus Sales from SU?

 

If so, he's on the Falcon's list of UDFA's...unless they cut him yesterday and the Giants added him to their rookie tryout list.

[Mr. P]

Sales???

 

Do you mean Marcus Sales from SU?

 

If so, he's on the Falcon's list of UDFA's...unless they cut him yesterday and the Giants added him to their rookie tryout list.

 

Ebenezer Samuel ‏@ebenezersamuel 9m

Marcus Sales, ex-Syracuse WR and former HS teammate of Greg Paulus at Christian Brothers, is among those on Giants rookie minicamp roster.

[BleedinBlue]

 

 

Ebenezer Samuel ‏@ebenezersamuel 9m

Marcus Sales, ex-Syracuse WR and former HS teammate of Greg Paulus at Christian Brothers, is among those on Giants rookie minicamp roster.

 

Huh...did not know that. He was in Atlanta's rookie camp that ended last Sunday and he was considered a long shot according the Syracuse news. Must be they cut him and the Giants told him he could join in the tryouts this weekend. When playing for Syracuse he lined up at slot. Caught a lot of short passes. I wonder if Nassib convinced the coaches to give him a shot after getting dropped from the Falcons. I like the kid, but I don't see him making the team.