New York Giants: Examining the Dwayne Harris signing

During the first stages of free agency, the New York Giants looked to improve their special teams as they signed former Dallas Cowboys receiver and return man Dwayne Harris to a lucrative five-year deal consisting of $7.1 million in guarantees, according to numerous outlets’ reports.

The signing, although a tad bit pricey, has more positives than you might have initially thought.

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We’ll start with the obvious and examine Harris as a return man, since it’s his specialty. Harris has two return touchdowns in his career (entered the league in 2011) which is one more touchdown than the Giants have had in that time span. The last Giant to return a kick or punt for a touchdown was David Wilson in 2012.

Harris’ arrival will provide life to a return unit that has been dead for the past few years. Quintin Demps was supposed to ignite that life when he was signed last offseason, but he failed to do anything too captivating. Preston Parker, despite having some decent returns, isn’t exactly a weapon in the return game either.

Harris being tasked with return duties also means Odell Beckham Jr. no longer has to return punts. OBJ leaving the return game is certainly a positive, as it’s always risky sending your best playmaker deep to field a punt, as injuries are always a risk on return plays. Harris will be a threat to score, and that element will be invaluable to the Giants offense. There’s really no scoring play as deflating as having a kick or punt returned for a touchdown.

Although not as well documented as his return abilities, Harris is also one of the best in the league in kick and punt coverage. Like the Giants’ return woes, they have been incredibly susceptible to having kicks or punts returned for touchdowns against them. The Giants gave up one return touchdown last year and three in 2013, according to ESPN.com.

Harris, although obviously not a one-man-wrecking crew, will add some much-needed help to the coverage unit. Good special teams play is something head coach Tom Coughlin emphasizes.

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) in game action against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco beat Dallas 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Aside from his special teams skills, though, Harris is a player who the Giants think can seriously contribute on offense. Harris’ big contract is indicative of that, and I don’t think the Giants would have spent that much money for a guy who they didn’t want as relatively big part of the offense.

The Giants simply needed to add depth at the wide receiver position, especially with Victor Cruz‘s status somewhat up in the air. We all know the road to recovery from Cruz’s injury — a torn patellar tendon — is a long one, so the Giants are being wise to not put all of their eggs into the Victor Cruz basket.

Now, I’m not saying Harris is in a position to break Cruz’s single-season record for receiving yards, but he will add something to the offense.

Harris is a good route runner, and he his dangerous in space. Utilizing him on short passes and screens would benefit the Giants the most, but he’s also a deep threat because of his speed.

The Giants obviously value Harris more than Preston Parker — Parker’s contract isn’t even close to Harris’ — so they probably view Harris as the proverbial plug-and-play type of guy. I’ll put it like this: Parker caught 36 passes for 418 yards and two touchdowns. It’s entirely possible that Harris exceeds those numbers and adds some significant yardage on kick and punt returns.

Although Harris was never an All-Pro in Dallas, it’s a positive any time you take a playmaker away from a division rival.

Rick Gosselin, a columnist for the Dallas News, even said the loss of Harris, and not DeMarco Murray, was the departure that irked him the most.

“Frankly, the loss that bothered me the most Dwayne Harris,” Gosselin said, per the Dallas News. “He was the team’s best special teams player and a dual kick and punt returner. He gave the Cowboys an edge in field position. His loss really hurts.”

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