New York Giants Offseason: Reviewing the Wide Receiver Position
By Sean Dyer
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NFL Draft: Courtland Sutton, James Washington, Marcell Ateman, Auden Tate, Deon Cain, DaeSean Hamilton, Equanimeous St. Brown, Simmie Cobbs Jr., DJ Clark, Allen Lazard, Jaleel Scott
If the New York Giants don’t like their free agent wide receiver options, there are plenty of choices in the NFL Draft.
Courtland Sutton is a big-bodied receiver (6’4, 215 lb.) who could be a first-round pick. However, some scouts don’t rank Sutton quite as high and see him more as a Day 2 prospect. If the SMU receiver is available when the Giants pick at No. 34 and they’ve filled some other holes in free agency, Sutton could be an intriguing prospect to add to OBJ, Shepard, and Evan Engram in Big Blue’s offense.
James Washington also has some scouts who see him as a first-round pick and others who see him going on Day 2. Washington is just 6’0 but at 205 lb., he is a physical receiver who is great in the red zone. Again, taking a wide receiver at No. 34 requires filling multiple holes in free agency, including offensive line, linebacker, and possibly running back.
If the Giants wait until round three and four come draft day, the group of Marcell Ateman, Auden Tate, Deon Cain, DaeSean Hamilton, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Simmie Cobbs Jr. come into play.
Ateman played alongside Washington at Oklahoma State and at 6’4 220 lb., he uses his big body to win possession and break tackles to earn extra yards.
Tate is 6’5 225 lb. and a beast in the red zone. He hauled in 10 touchdowns in 2017 for Florida State, getting in the end zone every four receptions.
Cain won a national championship with Clemson in 2016 and has big-play ability. He could be a deep threat in the NFL and help draw safety attention away from Odell Beckham Jr.
Hamilton is a well-rounded receiver out of Penn State who gained the New York Giants interest after dominating at the East-West Shrine Game.
St. Brown has great size at 6’5 204 lb. and with continued development could become one of the best receivers in this class. The Notre Dame wideout is still a bit raw but has a ton of potential.
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Cobbs Jr. is one of the best receivers in Indiana history and could bring that production to the NFL. He has a good combination of size and speed and his physical play style is tough to defend.
DJ Clark, Allen Lazard, and Jaleel Scott are later-round options who are examples of the depth of this year’s receiver class.
Clark has plenty of speed and will be a deep threat at the next level. An LSU Tiger, he and Odell should get along. Clark is 6’3 but only 187 lb.
Lazard still needs some developing, but at 6’5 233 lb., there’s plenty to work with. Lazard was dangerous in the red zone for Iowa State and could become a reliable possession receiver.
New Mexico State is no NFL factory but Scott could put them on the map. At 6’6 215 lb., Scott is a huge target. He also catches the ball well and could become a dangerous red zone weapon.
Next: New York Giants Offseason: Reviewing the RBs
As long as Odell Beckham Jr. is around, the New York Giants wide receiving corps will be in good shape. However, with Brandon Marshall likely going elsewhere, Big Blue could afford to add a big-bodied receiver or two to give Eli Manning more red zone threats.