2014 Review

Quarterback Eli Manning surprised everyone last year with a respectable fantasy season. He likely was drafted as a backup quarterback or not at all due to his disastrous 2013 season that saw him throw a horrendous 27 touchdowns to 18 interceptions.

This was opposite the case in 2014 making Manning a great grab off the waivers. Overall, Manning ranked 10th among his fellow quarterbacks in fantasy points totaling 4,410 yards, 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

The Giants used two new running backs last season. Veteran back Rashad Jennings started for the team and rookie Andre Williams played in late downs and covered for Jennings while he missed time due to a couple of injuries.

Jennings started out strong rewarding his fantasy owners with solid RB2 fantasy points. However once he became injured, his performance declined. Williams actually ranked higher (20th) in fantasy points to Jennings’ 30th ranking. Williams also out-ranked Jennings in both rushing yards and touchdowns.

The 2014 season brought the emergence of rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the scene. Owners of OBJ were skeptical at first because the rookie wasn’t able to play the first four games of the regular season due to a hamstring injury. For those who owned Beckham, the wait was well worth it. The rookie put up a monster season totaling 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. Needless to say that was over only 12 games.

For those who drafted wide receiver Victor Cruz, his season ended prematurely due to a nasty knee injury he suffered in Week 6. The 337 yards and one touchdown Cruz posted during the first six weeks of the season certainly did not help anyone who drafted him.

Tight end Larry Donnell was hit and mostly miss all season long. After a splashy Week 4 that saw him put up 54 yards and three touchdowns, he showed up the next week and scored a big goose egg for his fantasy owners. He really was not a reliable fantasy option for anyone’s team because of his spotty production.

Veteran Additions

The Giants signed former New England Patriots’ pass-catching back Shane Vereen during the free agency period. Vereen is most noted for his receiving skills during the four seasons he played in New England where he posted 1,023 receiving yards and 907 rushing yards.

The addition of Vereen really only muddies the waters in New York. Between Vereen, Jennings and Williams splitting carries, the fantasy situation for the Giants looks bleak. Past fantasy owners of Vereen will likely see a repeat of his production when he suits up with Big Blue.

Dwayne Harris makes for an interesting addition to the Giants’ roster. Harris is famously known for returning punts for the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants have since signed Harris to a hefty salary which would have us wondering if punt returns will be the only responsibility that the receiver has this season. Harris could make an intriguing late-round option in PPR formats where return yardage is awarded points.

NFL Draft

None.

Potential Breakout Star

This sounds a bit scary, but Manning could continue his success of last season. He should have Cruz returning to lineup opposite of OBJ. He’s also got a new pass-catching weapon in Vereen. Wideout Rueben Randle continues to provide stability and there’s always Donnell who is can be a red zone viper against opposing defenses.

Likely to available in later rounds due to the fright factor, Manning could surprise and make a high-end QB2 with occasional upside in 2015.

Potential Disappointment

Let’s hope by putting Beckham here we won’t jinx him for 2015. The second-season receiver should be on track to once again turn into a fantasy animal this season. However, defenses will dialing his number and going out of their way to stop him this season. Then, there’s the “Madden Curse” for those of you who believe in that stuff. Cruz returning healthy will also eat into some of OBJ’s targets.

With that being said, if OBJ falls to you in drafting at the right time, he is obviously worth owning. You never know, he may just defy any odds against him and rank back within the top five fantasy receivers when all is said and done in 2015.

All Giants’ running backs. The teams will surely approach the season with a three-headed committee. And while the Giants do depend on their ground game, expect a lot of passing to come from Manning. Between Jennings and Williams last year, the duo totaled only 1,360 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. Vereen could definitely put a damper on this action.