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New York Giants 6 Training Camp Battles To Watch

By Kenneth Teape

Jul 30, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan look on at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan look on at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants 6 Training Camp Battles To Watch
Jun 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) and wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) and wide receiver Myles White (19) look on during mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

No.2 Wide Receiver

Last season the Giants were unable to find a second receiver to step up behind superstar Odell Beckham Jr. Rueben Randle struggled with consistency, as he was unable to take advantage of all of the attention being given to Beckham. When Victor Cruz was unable to get healthy enough to get on the field, the Giants didn’t have a backup plan to put into place.

This season, while they may have lost Randle as a free agent, the Giants are better prepared as they selected Sterling Shepard with their second round pick. He gives good insurance for the Giants in case Cruz is unable to get back on the field. Dwayne Harris had a career year as a receiver in 2015 and looks to build upon that as a part of the offense again.

He should be the fourth receiver on the depth chart if all goes according to plan, as the Giants are hoping that Cruz is finally able to get back into the lineup. He participated more in OTA’s than anyone originally thought, and is doing some things in training camp already.

It is an excellent development for the Giants, because if Cruz is healthy they could have a deadly trio with him, Beckham Jr. and Shepard. It will be worth keeping an eye on Cruz’s performance, as he could push Shepard for playing time in two-receiver sets if he can show that he is healthy and getting closer to his old form prior to the knee and calf injuries.

Shepard is the starter right now, but Cruz made it through the first practices unscathed, a huge first step in the right direction. While Shepard has the starting job right now, he will have to earn the No.2 duties behind Beckham Jr. because if Cruz looks good and continues progressing, he will push for playing time.

Anything the Giants get from Cruz should be considered a bonus, as he has not played in a game since October of 2014. But, he has shown previously that he capable of being a No.1 option so if he looks good, he should be given a shot.

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