The New York Giants’ WR corps is led by three outstanding players who are all 25 years old or under. 25-year old Steve Smith stepped up big time for the Giants last season earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Smith played in 16 games (15 starts) for the Giants last season and he caught 107 passes for 1,220 yards (11.4 avg) with 7 TD grabs. He has now played in 37 games (19 starts) in his three years with the Giants and he has caught 172 passes for 1,857 yards (10.8 avg) with 8 TD grabs. Smith is a fearless receiver on routes over the middle of the field and he has an excellent set of hands.
22-year old Hakeem Nicks really had a solid rookie year for the Giants in 2009. Nicks played in 14 games (6 starts) for the Giants last season and he caught 47 passes for 790 yards (16.8 avg) with 6 TD grabs. He also carried the ball 2 times for 8 yards (4.0 ypc) last season. Nicks is a good deep threat and he’s a big guy who creates mis-matches down the field. Look out for him in 2010 and pick him in your fantasy draft if you can.
24-year old Mario Manningham really stepped up for the Giants last season after showing next to nothing in 2008 as a rookie. Manningham played in 14 games (10 starts) for the Giants last season and he caught 57 passes for 822 yards (14.4 avg) with 5 TD grabs. He has now played in 22 games (10 starts) in his two years with the Giants and he has caught 61 passes for 848 yards (13.9 avg) with 5 TD grabs. Manningham will likely be the #3 WR for the Giants this season and he should be one of the best in the league in that role.
25-year old Derek Hagan enters training camp #4 on the depth chart but he will have to fight to keep his spot. Hagan played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he caught 8 passes for 101 yards (12.6 avg) with 1 TD grab. He has now played four years in the NFL playing in 52 games (1 start) in which he has caught 61 passes for 746 yards (12.2 avg) with 4 TD grabs. Hagan is a possession receiver who lacks big time deep speed.
26-year old Sinorice Moss has been a bust to this point in his NFL career. Moss played in 8 games (0 starts) for the Giants last season and he only caught 1 pass for 18 yards but it went for a TD. Moss has now played in 37 games (2 starts) in his four years with the Giants and he has caught 39 passes for 421 yards (10.8 avg) with 3 TD grabs. Moss will be fighting for his NFL career in training camp.
24-year old Ramses Barden didn’t play much as a rookie for the Giants last year. He played in 3 games (0 starts) for the Giants last season and he caught 1 pass for 16 yards. It will be hard for Barden to move up the depth chart.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE GIANTS WRs in 2010: A