Sunday, December 21, 2014

Where is Rueben Randle and the other 2014 recievers?

After 14 games in 2014 Reuben Randle has been targeted 108 times with 59 catches, he has 648 yards receiving and 161 yards of that are YAC. Randles longest is 27 yards with 6 catches for 20 or more. While Preston Parker has 31 catches, targeted 50 times, 366 yards, 103 of them YAC. His longest is 42, average is 11.8 with 4 catches going for 20 or more.

Lets do some math, Randle catches the ball a shade over 54% of the time, Parker catches the ball 62% of the time. Parkers YAC is a shade over 28% of his total yards receiving, while Randles YAC is a shade under 25% of his total yardage.

Here is my conundrum, Randle is faster and taller but has a lower average yards per catch, doesnt catch the ball as well when targeted and his YAC is a bit less than Parker. Before I looked all this up, I thought Parker was faster, but no, his 40 yard times are 4.59 to 4.65 while Randle range is 4.43 to 4.55.

Parker seems to find space, which is the job of a slot receiver. Sometimes Parkers seems to get really good separation. Randle often gets just enough separation to make the catch and as he gets tackled lunges for more yardage, Randle doesnt seem to be able to get turned upfield after the catch, nor does he get in back of the cornerback covering him. For context Victor Cruz has burned good corners with the double move on the outside, going for major yardage. Cruz ran a 4.57 40 yard dash, hes slower than Randle.

Additionally Randle does well with the come back route for a first down along the sideline, or the quick slant, or the crossing route over the middle. Apparently hes lacking what it takes to be used in other routes, I think the Giants know this and use him accordingly.

Its not exactly fair to compare Parker who plays a lot of slot to Randle who is always going up against a teams #1 or #2 corner on the outside. But there is a marked difference in production efficiency between the two players.

If I'm Jerry Resse, and I'm looking to 2015 (Assuming Cruz is 100%) I want a legit #1 to play opposite Odell Beckham Jr, though Victor Cruz can be very effective in the slot, so can OBJlll. Both Cruz and Beckham can play the outside or the inside, and in my minds eye, if I want to enjoy Odell & Victor tearing it up in 2015, they need to play with a legit outside receiver.

I love the potential of Corey Washington, but for the sake of this discussion, hes not ready. The 2015 draft will have 5 really good Tackles going early, so that may be BPA and needs aligning. I can see picking another OL and a DL in the next 2 rounds, then a TE. IF this pans out a top potential #1 outside receiver to replace Randle is beyond the reach of my General Manager hands. If this is the way it plays out, we're stuck with Randle, hoping Washington develops so the combination of the 2 is enough to keep defenses guessing who is getting the ball, Beckham, Cruz, Randle or Washington.