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No rookie wide reciever burst onto the scene quite like Odell Beckham Jr did last year. After missing most of the preseason and the first four games with leg issues, Beckham went on to dominate his first 12 NFL contests with 91 catches, 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, including nine consecutive 100-yard games to close out his first campaign. Clearly Beckham can be projected to be a Top 5 wide receiver in 2015, if not the best wideout in the league. But what would happen for the Giants if Beckham were to miss significant time due to injury this year?
BUY
Rueben Randle, WR – Everyone remembers how big of a season Beckham had last year, but do you remember that it was Rueben Randle that served as the top receiving target for the first two weeks when Beckham debuted and for another four weeks thereafter when Cruz was hurt? That's right - Randle was the WR1 for the Giants for six weeks last season in the middle of the year. Not many are going to remember that, but you should. If Beckham gets hurt this year, it is likely that Randle would be the #1 receiver for New York as Victor Cruz attempts to get back into form after a torn patellar tendon.
Victor Cruz, WR – The jury is still out on Victor Cruz, who is attempting a major comeback after a horrible knee injury last October. Cruz is in training camp but he may not play any preseason games, which will make it difficult to measure his return to strength and pre-injury form until the regular season. If he is 100% and Beckham is out, Cruz would likely be the #1 receiver for the Giants. That is a big if until we see that Cruz is able to play like he did before getting hurt.
Larry Donnell, TE – This time last year, no one expected any Giant tight end to be worth owning in fantasy at all. Donnell changed that story in a hurry with 25 catches for 236 yards and four scores in the first four weeks of 2014 - all contests in which Beckham had yet to make his NFL debut. Once Beckham got on the field (and the season wore on), Donnell started to fade. He only managed to catch more than four balls in one game after the Week 8 bye and his last touchdown game in Week 11. If Beckham were to miss an extended period, Donnell would have to step it up and become a major target over the middle and in the Red Zone for Eli Manning.
Shane Vereen, RB – If Odell Beckham Jr misses a large amount of time, the top pass-catching back would be expected to see more targets in general. That would be a fantasy-positive event for Shane Vereen, who had 100 receptions in the past two combined years with the Patriots.
Andre Williams, RB – Beckham scored 12 touchdowns last year, and those touchdowns have to be made up for in some way. Williams is the most likely goal line option for New York on the ground, so he should be expected to get more chances to punch the ball into the end zone if Beckham misses significant time.
HOLD
Eli Manning, QB – This is somewhat dependent on Victor Cruz being the old Victor Cruz if and when Beckham gets hurt, but Cruz, Randle and Donnell can get the job done if Beckham is out. It may not be as pretty,but Manning can distribute the ball to his other receivers, tight end and even running backs to move the ball in the passing game.
Rashad Jennings, RB – Jennings may be the lead back by name, but he could lose chances at the goal line to Andre Williams and receiving chances to Shane Vereen. If Beckham is out, Jennings should not be impacted that much.
SELL
None - The Giants should be able to get by on offense even without Odell Beckham, Jr. That is not to say that it will not be harder, but Manning had two games over 250 yards including one right at 300 in the first four contests last year without Beckham. Manning also connected for nine touchdowns in those four games, so it is quite possible that New York can get by without their top wide receiver - but that would truly depend on Victor Cruz returning back to full strength. If Cruz is not as strong as last year and Beckham is out too, then the entire offense should be downgraded accordingly.
ADD
Preston Parker, WR – Preston Parker served as the WR3 for the Giants last year behind Beckham and Randle after Victor Cruz was lost for the year, and he posted respectable numbers (36-418-2). While not flashy, he is a capable NFL receiver who can have a decent performance in good matchups. You might only use him during a bye week as a WR3 or flex option, but he could be two injuries away from being a starter.
Corey Washington, WR – Washington is likely to start the year as the WR5 for the Giants, but he has big upside as he scored four touchdowns (all game-winners) in the 2014 preseason. If he sees the field and gets a chance, he could surprise.
DROP
None. The New York Giant offense managed to post solid numbers in September last year without Odell Beckham Jr, and they can do it again - as long as Victor Cruz and Larry Donnell play like they did last September. .
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com.