Signings of Campbell and Crowder are underrated

If the Giants add a receiver early in the draft then this receiving corps could be solid especially when Robinson returns.

Maybe they prioritze other positions in rd1 and rd2.

he needs to stay healthy, and he can really stretch a field. Versatile, good route runner. Crowder just makes plays and it tends to be contagious, young guys need to see it and then replicate it. Draft a #1.

I'd characterize this team as sometimes having nice frontline players at different positions, but often with little depth behind them. And this has been a decades ongoing thing.

It's a nice change to see them build from the bottom of the roster up, lifting the floor before getting to the ceiling.

occupied by a player who simply could not be cut and was worthless. That alone should make a big difference. And another player who was never healthy.

I do agree that these signings are underrated, and I think a WR in the first round is still a strong possibility.

I have also mentioned a few times how we went from practice squad and unsigned free agents to now mostly bringing in experienced competent vets. I'd start to think that next year we may be able to swing a couple of all pros, but I think it is more likely we will draft guys who will become our all pros and just keep supplementing the roster with experienced vets on low risk deals instead of street guys. Like I keep saying, we have professionals in charge now.

I think it's worth debating Campbell vs. James, and why, all things equal the incremental value is so much greater.

draft Zay Flowers is my perfect WR scenario (including the guys we have currently) going into the new season.

What these signings really do is not force the Giants into any position in the first round, or really the first two days of the draft. We don't need a wr in the first round, we just need a good one.

I really like Campbell and Crowder is always a major pain to play against.....with Hodgins....and Waller....the #1 target.

8 in the box would be risky

Just remember, David Sills STARTED 5 games last year and played in 9.

Unless our OL plays better and more consistently.

We can’t have Neal play like a 10th round draft choice who is just beginning to learn to block…..

Ezeudu can’t just be a good run blocker. …..

And whoever plays center has to be at least decent enough…….

I just don’t like their propensity for getting hurt. When they are healthy they are both very productive players.

BUT to make them work the OL even if that means the 1st 3 rds are not as "sexy" as we imagine/hope ....

We have some nice blue collar guys to throw the ball to. I am not just looking at the WR position but as a whole and what we do well already. 2 TE set that motions into 4 pass catchers means a LB on Waller and/or Barkley or you force a safety to move up opening up an option deep. Bellinger can handle LB coverage. Slayton, Waller and Barkley can get chunks of yards with a decent mismatch.

If the OL improves just play smart complimentary football. We do not have to be "Flashy". They showed they can do that ... Can they replicate it and build on it? Two good seasons in a row would be nice.

No chance in hell at this point he’s a better player. Maybe if this was 2018. Campbell, yes, is a huge improvement over what we got from the slot last season because of yac alone. If you told me you can have crowder or James as the starting slot this year I’d take Richie every single Sunday.

James got open a lot because of the system, but these guys are so much more talented. They will run a lot more deep shots from the slot with these guys.

brought Slayton back too.

I think their use will be matchup dependent. I think they are both going to play a lot. Hodgins will see some his time reduced as well when everyone is healthy. I think they want to have a lot more speed on the field.

In comment 16074702 Ira said:

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brought Slayton back too.

Campbell, Crowder, Waller, Barkley, and Jones: none has had more than one season in the past 3 where they were able to stay healthy.

Campbell could be a solid #2 with Hodgins #3. Just disappointed we did not get a #1 in either FA or trade. And getting a WR in the early rounds is great but rarely do they become #1 receivers in their rookie seasons ( like Jefferson).

In comment 16074697 Tuckrule said:

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No chance in hell at this point he’s a better player. Maybe if this was 2018. Campbell, yes, is a huge improvement over what we got from the slot last season because of yac alone. If you told me you can have crowder or James as the starting slot this year I’d take Richie every single Sunday.

Seems like the Giants don’t share your vision…they just signed Crowder while James is still a free agent(Golladay also remains a free agent).

In comment 16074664 Giantsfan79 said:

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I'd characterize this team as sometimes having nice frontline players at different positions, but often with little depth behind them. And this has been a decades ongoing thing. It's a nice change to see them build from the bottom of the roster up, lifting the floor before getting to the ceiling.

Agreed & well put

They building a team for more than one season. There were no number 1 WRs available.

In comment 16074706 redwhiteandbigblue said:

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Campbell could be a solid #2 with Hodgins #3. Just disappointed we did not get a #1 in either FA or trade. And getting a WR in the early rounds is great but rarely do they become #1 receivers in their rookie seasons ( like Jefferson).

Schoen using FA wisely to fill gaps.

but I think the whole #1 WR thing is overblown. Yes you need good viable competent TARGETS to catch the ball and stress defenses. But that could be a WR. It could be a TE.

The more targets you have to defend. The more it will stress a defense to try and cover multiple targets in the passing game.

He seems like an underrated yac guy. His yac per reception each year has been very good. James did not do well in this area a year ago(which is strange to me because with the 49ers it did seem like it was part of his skill set)

Right now imo. Yes he’s technically a tight end if you look at the depth chart. If things go well he should see 100 targets.

We do..as Waller is likely a bridge to transition to whoever becomes the new face of the wr group.

at their respective bests, Crowder is what James would hope to someday be.

put 2 competent WR on the field. They now, have a collection of professional, productive receivers to run out there. If one gets hurt, they aren't screwed. That's a big upgrade.
Looking at what they are going to run out there, what they lack in a number 1 is a big, physical guy. QJ is the guy to fill that role in the draft, (if they go WR early).

In comment 16074697 Tuckrule said:

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No chance in hell at this point he’s a better player. Maybe if this was 2018. Campbell, yes, is a huge improvement over what we got from the slot last season because of yac alone. If you told me you can have crowder or James as the starting slot this year I’d take Richie every single Sunday.

Some of you guys get overly attached to mediocre players...

In comment 16074697 Tuckrule said:

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No chance in hell at this point he’s a better player. Maybe if this was 2018. Campbell, yes, is a huge improvement over what we got from the slot last season because of yac alone. If you told me you can have crowder or James as the starting slot this year I’d take Richie every single Sunday.

No chance in hell? What has Richie James done in his career prior to his first season with the NY Giants?

and Crowder. Can't believe this was a serious comment.

and should be a feisty competitive WR battle. Look forward to the draft!

“Dependable”

but Crowder isn't a lock to make this roster.
With Slayton, Campbell, Robinson, Hodgins and a draft pick or 2 coming....he'll have to fight it out to make it.

In comment 16074756 Andy in Boston said:

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but Crowder isn't a lock to make this roster. With Slayton, Campbell, Robinson, Hodgins and a draft pick or 2 coming....he'll have to fight it out to make it.

I would bet Robinson starts on the PUP list...

Like James is hitching to get more money per year. It might not happen. Crowder is probably minimum and Campbell's deal is incentive based.

Than it was in December 2022 in nearly every position group.

I expect us to cluster draft OL next month.

Crowder, Campbell, Hodgins, Waller, Slayton, Bellinger, Barkley, Breida make a nice skill group.

And we still have the draft.

In comment 16074697 Tuckrule said:

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No chance in hell at this point he’s a better player. Maybe if this was 2018. Campbell, yes, is a huge improvement over what we got from the slot last season because of yac alone. If you told me you can have crowder or James as the starting slot this year I’d take Richie every single Sunday.

I agree. Crowder seems like he was last relevant years ago. Campbell is the high upside play. I mentioned this before but I feel he was misused in Indy. I'm sure injuries played a factor but I think he has more to offer than we've seen so far.

Don't get me wrong, I like both signings. It gives the Giants enough depth at WR to where they do not have to force an early WR pick if the guys they like are not there.

But I don't expect much from either guy. In fact, if they are getting a lot of snaps that might be a sign the season has gone south.

I am hoping I am right about Ezeudu and McKethan, which would mean we are an OC and WR1 away from a really good offense.

In comment 16074675 Ceez2.0 said:

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draft Zay Flowers is my perfect WR scenario (including the guys we have currently) going into the new season.

Something like this would be incredible. I would prefer JSN if we could somehow get him but Flowers as a very intriguing option too.

he may have been misused and just in a bad situation. i'm curious to see how he does here. god knows he's athletic as can be

crowder is fine if needed. he actually looked somewhat spry last year when he wasn't hurt.

i'm just glad they have pro receivers as depth. no more of the sills and markus johnsons of the world

In comment 16074796 Vanzetti said:

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Don't get me wrong, I like both signings. It gives the Giants enough depth at WR to where they do not have to force an early WR pick if the guys they like are not there. But I don't expect much from either guy. In fact, if they are getting a lot of snaps that might be a sign the season has gone south.

I wouldn’t put PC and Crowder in the same bucket. Crowder is a proven vet/stable signing…I might compare him to Shep from what you’d expect. Campbell is a taking a shot on talent. There was a good post on Twitter regarding some of the Giants FA signings which I think aptly describes some of the Giants off-season acquisitions…in particular Campbell:

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Nik Young @nikyoung_44 Replying to @DanSchneierNFL That’s what FA should be used for, almost a pseudo draft pick. Not a 1 for 1 obviously with age and $, but taking a shot on young talent that can still develop not spending wildly on big name guys. 11:22 PM · Mar 13, 2023 · 27.9K Views

Jeff Smith would also fall into the same bucket as PC…the taking a swing on upside bucket. Smith might amount to a special teams guy..but he is an interesting prospect. He was recruited as a QB, and played QB his freshman year for BC starting the final few games and only transitioned to WR his sophomore year. After that he was very much used as a hybrid..similarly to Wandale and Kadarius(he was used in backfield, on jet sweeps, as well as a gadget passer from those looks as well as at WR. He was not used in those roles with the Jets…but the Giants could see some potential as a hybrid type(we know they loved Robinson skill set). Also, one of Smiths negatives as a prospect was drops that seems like it’s something he’s improved as a pro(he was listed as the one of the stars of jets minicamp a year ago)

Enough said.

the depth is already light years better than one year ago. People complaining that we don't have one of the top WRs in the league on our team.

This team is constantly dealing with injuries at WR and we need this depth.

The GM and the coach are also looking at a lot more than BBI focuses on when they sign a WR. Is anyone truly paying attention and watching film of the route running of these free agents? How about their blocking on running plays? Anyone?

In comment 16074664 Giantsfan79 said:

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I'd characterize this team as sometimes having nice frontline players at different positions, but often with little depth behind them. And this has been a decades ongoing thing. It's a nice change to see them build from the bottom of the roster up, lifting the floor before getting to the ceiling.

Yes. Giants last year actually had some really good front line players. Barkley, Dex and AT are all elite level players at their positions. There were 6-7 others who were above average (when healthy). The Giants 9 or 10 best could rival most other teams… The issue was that the talent on the roster really dropped off after those top 10 players. Think about it….

1. Dex
2. AT
3. Saquon
4. Leo
5. Jackson
6. McKinney
7. Thibs
8. DJ
9. Ojulari
10. Love
11.Slayton?
12. Bellinger? Glowinski? Ward?!?!? Moreau?!?!?

Even worse, when you got to ~ 25 through 53, they had camp foddlers, waiver wire guys who didn’t make other rosters, and street FA’s. Sills, M Johnson, Vannett, Devery Hamilton, Ellis, Mondeaux, Crowder, Gilbert, McCloud, Ryder Anderson, etc.

Additions like Okereke, Waller strengthen the top of that roster. Guys like McCain, Nunez Roches and Campbell strengthen the middle. And Oruwariye, Crowder strengthen the bottom half of the roster.

I found out that Colt's QBs threw 6 int's while targeting him. Now, that doesn't sound like it's his fault until you watch the videos where he doesn't turn around in his routes and look for the ball...