After OBJ and S. Shepard, anyone worthwhile for offense?

for his return abilities. R. Shepard has special teams abilities.

Sterling Shepard has proven that he can only play the slot which may limit his future with this team. Especially if he is looking for big money. I can see the Giants using a lte round pick on a bigger WR.

He may not resign here but i'd say he definitely still has a future in the NFL since he's a good special team player as well.

Coleman as well for KOs and a very specific package as a WR.

for the majority of the season.

Also, when you have OBJ, Shepard, Saquon, and Engram ahead of you in the pecking order of who is going to get the targets, it's pretty hard to get catches.

It's really about what you see in terms of the talent and ability when they do get opportunities.

I think Fowler showed what he is, a pretty good rotational/possession receiver that can be a role player/depth.

Latimer has return ability and has the ability to stretch the field. I think he has a great chance to be a guy that does get more opportunities in the future, because he has that ability to get deep and that is the right kind of compliment for OBJ, Shep, Barkley, and Engram.

Coleman has return ability as well but has shown the least in terms of his physical gifts translating, but he's also the most physically gifted of that group and other than Saquon, he might be the most athletically gifted player on this team.

The other guys to me are mostly roster filler, JAG-types, but it doesn't mean they can't be useful players. In particular Russell Sheppard. I think there might be something there, he has shown a knack for getting open.

To your 2,000 all-purpose yard RB, numbers like this will happen.

how much to you really need other guys to contribute?
OBJ, SS, EE, and SB - each one of them are going to get there's. Who else do you really need? I'd even argue that might be too many mouths to feed as it is....

but you also have to plan out a roster in case the worst happens (i.e., Beckham or Shepard tear an ACL). Is there anyone here who has WR skills?

A one year future.

Here. After that it's up to them, based on performance.

CL is almost ideal as #4 or #5.

Great coverage specials, great blocker for a WR, good hands, at least adequate KR.

Should you have an accurate QB, he will always be open in at least one dimension against single coverage.

May not look like great separation, but it is there if the QB trusts him. There is only one ball, a guy can be a very good player without great stats.

because he's a bigger body, which is not something the Giants have in their current receiving corps. I'm holding out hope that the light went on for Engram and Shurmur/Shula late in the year as how to use him and take advantage of the matchup nightmare he can be with his size and speed. So long as everything goes through Saquon, as it should, that will free up so much more of this offense.

Else, Russell Shepard looked pretty good in his opportunities before he got hurt. I like Coleman as a return man. The rest are JAGs. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Giants bring in a veteran WR in free agency.

In comment 14264318 Matt in SGS said:

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because he's a bigger body, which is not something the Giants have in their current receiving corps. I'm holding out hope that the light went on for Engram and Shurmur/Shula late in the year as how to use him and take advantage of the matchup nightmare he can be with his size and speed. So long as everything goes through Saquon, as it should, that will free up so much more of this offense. Else, Russell Shepard looked pretty good in his opportunities before he got hurt. I like Coleman as a return man. The rest are JAGs. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Giants bring in a veteran WR in free agency.

The before and after the bye performance by Engram was startling. And he missed games both before and after the bye.

In comment 14264322 Eric from BBI said:

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In comment 14264318 Matt in SGS said: Quote: because he's a bigger body, which is not something the Giants have in their current receiving corps. I'm holding out hope that the light went on for Engram and Shurmur/Shula late in the year as how to use him and take advantage of the matchup nightmare he can be with his size and speed. So long as everything goes through Saquon, as it should, that will free up so much more of this offense. Else, Russell Shepard looked pretty good in his opportunities before he got hurt. I like Coleman as a return man. The rest are JAGs. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Giants bring in a veteran WR in free agency. The before and after the bye performance by Engram was startling. And he missed games both before and after the bye.

Agree with most all of this I would still invite Henderson back as a returner and can have a few plays in the Offense
Thing about Lattimer is his size if he continues playing like he did late maybe we got him at just the
right time . It was nice to see Engram come on as well
I wouldn't mind a later round pick on a TE with size to go
along with Engram . Ellison just doesn't block well
enough nor make enough plays IMO .

Problem with Latimer is do you re-sign him based on just one game? Because take away the final game, and he was a bust. But that one game was special.

is VERY interesting. Loaded with guys that have plus size/speed and upside. I am looking at that 4th round area as a good spot to take a chance on one.

OBJ and Sherpard are tops in their role. Between russal, latimor (definitely resign to a team.friendly deal), and colemen....we should find a steady 3rd....draft a late round flyer with the extra picks....

Combine them with Barkley and EE....is a very strong group of skill players

In comment 14264346 Sy'56 said:

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is VERY interesting. Loaded with guys that have plus size/speed and upside. I am looking at that 4th round area as a good spot to take a chance on one.

Way I look at a roster is usually different than a lot people... I look at depth from the perspective if you lose your top guy or your second best player at the position. (With an eye also to potential free agent losses in the future).

I guess what I'm getting at here is there anyone here who potentially could become a 30-40 catch guy?

...just because of his ability. He came on nicely at the end after what seemed to be a lost season for him.

I don't think they'll be resigning Sheppard so Engram really needs to make an impact this year.

But, as I have said before, you improve the OL and that opens up EVERYTHING for even an average receiver, esp when OBJ, Engram, and Barkley are involved in pass routes.

because he is fast and we are in desperate need of speed. Maybe the light goes on at some point. We could drop the rest and no one would notice. Most of the guys on the list were at home on their couches to begin the season.

As for Shepard, he's ok but the praise for him around here is extravagant for what he is and what he does. It would be nice to get some speed and size at #2 so Shepard becomes the 3rd wideout we don't need to run couch potatoes out there as #3 wideouts.

Engram is Ebron v.2. He's going to have some big games and other games where he disappears and you won't know ahead of time which you will get. Nature of the beast.

with those catches at the end. He has size, speed, hands and knowledge of the offense. He is a ST player and appears happy to be the #3 wr.

Coleman is the question mark. He certainly flashed. But there is a reason he has not stuck with any of the other teams that picked him up. Not sure why he was let go. Hopefully, a full offseason of working out with Odell will help him grow.

I understand the need for depth at wr. We might have sufficient depth for now.

Besides investing either $ in FA or a high draft pick on ORT, I would much prefer to use the majority of our draft choices on every level of the Defense. We have neither sufficient starting talent nor depth at most positions on D.

DG did well with his fourth and fifth-round draft choices with regard to the D. Another year of investment of those draft choices on D is desperately needed imo.

S. Shepard is one-dimensional, slot, hasn't proven otherwise. Had some key drops, too many.

I would not open the vault to re-sign him when he becomes a FA. We have other needs that are more pressing. Not that I wouldn't want him, but it has to be reasonable.

In comment 14264351 George from PA said:

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OBJ and Sherpard are tops in their role. Between russal, latimor (definitely resign to a team.friendly deal), and colemen....we should find a steady 3rd....draft a late round flyer with the extra picks.... Combine them with Barkley and EE....is a very strong group of skill players

I would like to sign WR-Larry Fitzgerald. He could do what Brandon Marshall could not. It would be great for our red zone offense, the QB would love having him, and he could help each of the receivers in some way, Engram included.

I gotta believe with roster sizes the way they are, any of the players beyond the ones mentioned have to contribute on specials...right?

In comment 14264354 BillKo said:

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...just because of his ability. He came on nicely at the end after what seemed to be a lost season for him. I don't think they'll be resigning Sheppard so Engram really needs to make an impact this year. But, as I have said before, you improve the OL and that opens up EVERYTHING for even an average receiver, esp when OBJ, Engram, and Barkley are involved in pass routes.

If this Offensive Line ever gets to be a reliable unit we might see more 11 personnel, in which case SS & EE would become very dangerous. Much more so than in 12 or 21 personnel, which we are going to have to lean on until we can trust the line completely in all phases. Spreading the defense out with 11 personnel would make OBJ & Barkley more dangerous as well. We must fix this line with Free Agents, draft picks, and even a trade for a vet if need be. With all of our late round picks that might be a good way to get value IF we can find a willing trade partner with a worthy target.

that one say he reaches his potential.

Face it, these team desperately needs a legitimate #2 WR and if we didn't have other multiple glaring holes. it would be more of a priority.

This team on offense looks great on paper but in reality its not difficult to game plan against. Stop Barkley, rush the QB so he has no time to throw, play cover 2 to negate the big play to OBJ. Sheppard is a nice player but no one fears him. Engram showed some promise at the end of the year but he's dropped a lot of passes and if your OL requires you to keep the TE in to help block that eliminates a weapon.

I can hear Belicheck sayinf don't let Nicks or Cruz beat us. At least hen we had Manningham who stepped up. If someone said don't let Barkley or OBJ beat us who else do we have to step up? Right now I don't think we have anyone.

In comment 14264346 Sy'56 said:

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is VERY interesting. Loaded with guys that have plus size/speed and upside. I am looking at that 4th round area as a good spot to take a chance on one.

What're your thoughts on Hakeem Butler? To me, he is exactly what this offense needs on the outside. His ability to high point the ball is awesome...but i see him as a round 2 guy and i just can't see them going WR there.

His game is strength, vertical and long speed. His game is not sudden. This has more to do with body type than anything else.

Early in season, everyone was playing press coverage and the line was giving EM 2 seconds at the most. Not at all conducive to CL's game.

good comparison:

Quote:

Engram is Ebron v.2. He's going to have some big games and other games where he disappears and you won't know ahead of time which you will get. Nature of the beast.

A lot of people called Ebron a bust in Detroit, but you can see exactly why he was considered a top TE this year.

Coleman simply because he's a RFA, and won't cost much. He's got special teams value, and can do some of the things OBJ can do if need be.

Latimer at 2.5M this year was one of those silly above market signings that on its own wasn't awful, but added up are significant.

WR is one of those focal points that should take the focus off the "just fix the line" perspective.

If OBJ misses time, the Giants trot out one of the worst WR cores in the NFL. And no, you don't need All Pros at every postion, or some other nonsense like that, but you need 3 guys who exhibit the ability to catch 50 balls.

Should just upgrade the tight end position, go get a really good two way tight end and use Engram as a slot and wide receiver, maybe he will stay healthy enough to do something special then. The guy is not a tight end.

Rhett Ellison is supposed to be that good 2 way TE.
I like CC as a guy to stick. Lots of upside, former 1st round pick. Played with a bunch of crappy QBs, can return kicks and he's good at it.
Not sure you can invest a pick on a WR unless there's tremendous value. There are too many other holes on this team.

I don't think Giants need to keep them for depth unless they agree to play for the league minimum with no guarantees. There will be plenty UFA WRs available, undrafted rookies and street FAs that can fill out the roster this summer. Giants need to focus on getting depth for the OL and DL.

In comment 14264460 Bob in Newburgh said:

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His game is strength, vertical and long speed. His game is not sudden. This has more to do with body type than anything else. Early in season, everyone was playing press coverage and the line was giving EM 2 seconds at the most. Not at all conducive to CL's game.

His game is non-existent. This is his 5th year in the league and he's never caught more than 19 passes. His next highest total was this season- 11. You think he's going to turn into Larry Fitzgerald all of a sudden?

He had his career game in a meaningless end of the season game. So did Coleman Zeno. Don't get sucked in by those guys.

but he seemed to make a lot of tough, contested catches in limited opportunities. Overlooked part on all these guys was their blocking. I think Shepard, Lattimore and Fowler were all big pluses in that department.

And was consistent.

Coleman has the biggest upside of any of those guys.

And draft Lil jordan Humphrey in the mid rounds for some size...

Most of them will probably see the benefit of sticking in a system and taking the contract. Doesn't seem like any break the bank.

And coach gets continuity.

Even Latimer, it's actually a great situation for him.

Depth but solid.

but he's a big body who's very good on specials, if he's your 4th receiver it's not a bad situation. I still think we need a legitimate number 2. S.Sheppard is decent but he's a slot guy.

OBJ + a new outside receiver + S.Sheppard + Lattimer + Coleman is a pretty good 5 if you get the new guy right. We either need a big guy or an absolute burner.

In comment 14264775 bigbluescot said:

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but he's a big body who's very good on specials, if he's your 4th receiver it's not a bad situation. I still think we need a legitimate number 2. S.Sheppard is decent but he's a slot guy. OBJ + a new outside receiver + S.Sheppard + Lattimer + Coleman is a pretty good 5 if you get the new guy right. We either need a big guy or an absolute burner.

If you add a skilled starting WR opposite of OBJ, then the depth falls in line. Shepard is a representative slot WR, Coleman backs up OBJ.

Latimer just doesn't show he's got short burst to do all the things early in his routes. He's got straight ahead speed, but he's very limited.

we absolutely need OBj to play a 16 game season....

SS is just a slot receiver, and there has not been vast improvement since his rookie season....he is not a burner, and does not get much separation.....and when he and Eli were not on the same page on that 3rd down pass after 3 seasons, it speaks volumes...

EE is not a WR...he is not quick out of his breaks, and he has not shown the ability to go up and fight for balls, and still has problems holding onto them.....

Did Latimer just have a Jernigan game? Hard to tell, since that was his only game he showed something....

The rest are Jags, and there is absolutely no depth....

As for Ellison, he was acquired more for his blocking than anything else......but damn, the guy was a huge disappointment in that department....Simonson was a penalty waiting to happen, and master of the 3-4 yard pass.....

It is rather amazing the amount of points they scored in the last two games, with what Eli had to work with...

For me, I like Lattimer too actually. They all made some plays when called upon when Odell was out.

Our entire defense stinks - our OL only has 2 good starters so we need better depth and youth.

Please no WR. There is so much more that is needed.

OFC if it is obvious I guess you take the WR in later rounds but damn - nearly every other position sucks.

In comment 14264918 giantstock said:

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Our entire defense stinks - our OL only has 2 good starters so we need better depth and youth. Please no WR. There is so much more that is needed. OFC if it is obvious I guess you take the WR in later rounds but damn - nearly every other position sucks.

You're missing the point of the thread. But, carry on?

In comment 14264346 Sy'56 said:

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is VERY interesting. Loaded with guys that have plus size/speed and upside. I am looking at that 4th round area as a good spot to take a chance on one.

Where do you project Andy Isabella?

In comment 14264919 B in ALB said:

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In comment 14264918 giantstock said: Quote: Our entire defense stinks - our OL only has 2 good starters so we need better depth and youth. Please no WR. There is so much more that is needed. OFC if it is obvious I guess you take the WR in later rounds but damn - nearly every other position sucks. You're missing the point of the thread. But, carry on?

You're missing my point but I wasn't clear so it's understandable.

I agree with idiotsavant.

A further point - I don't agree with anyone looking at the draft unless it's a steal or anyone looking for a FA that isn't dirt cheap.

It's okay to address WR AFTER you address in FA the OL and the defense. The wr should be near-thebottom in priority. SO what if they lose a couple.

Personally I resign Latimer and Coleman (assuming decent contracts) and draft someone in the 3rd-5th rounds (assuming we can wrangle a 3rd somewhere). Coleman would be interesting after a full offseason/camp with the Giants.

he came on late in the year. He showed good ability to get separation for a bigger guy. And I agree that they should try to keep Coleman, if only as a KR.