Plaxico Burress may be in an all-orange jumpsuit instead of pads within the next year, and Amani Toomer is now in Kansas City. Jeremy Shockey is in New Orleans catching passes from Drew Brees, so the Giants lack a go-to receiver heading into training camp.
Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith are the Giants’ likely starters, but neither would be considered exceptional No. 1’s by any means. Behind them is Mario Manningham, who may be poised to take over for Toomer – a fellow former Michigan Wolverine – as early as this season after a disappointing rookie campaign. He’s been impressive early in camp.
Sinorice Moss also looms on the Giants’ wide receiver depth chart, but he’s seen as more of a quick slot receiver than a consistent No. 1 or No. 2.
Of course, there's also Super Bowl XLII hero David Tyree and first-round draft pick Hakeem Nicks in the mix as well.
As for the tight end position, Kevin Boss is the starter, but watch out for former Wisconsin Badger Travis Beckum to provide a changeup the G-Men can throw at opponents. Beckum slipped all the way to the last pick in the third round for the Giants in this year’s draft (the same place Manningham was drafted in 2008). He broke his leg last season but had been projected as a first-round pick after his junior year. He’s a bit of a tweener for an NFL tight end – not bulky enough to be a full-time blocker, but quicker than most at his position. Look for the Giants to utilize Beckum in different forms, including as a slot receiver.
Now that the Giants have lost a pair of former Big Ten receivers (Burress went to Michigan State), their successors will need to step up to make an impact in blue.
