New York Giants: Rueben Randle Primed to Shine This Year

By Nafisa H | Apr 24, 2015

Rueben Randle is set to become a free agent in 2016 making 2015 a make or break season for the New York Giants wide receiver. With the pressure on as he plays the final year of his rookie contract, expect Randle to break out and shine.

Rueben Randle, who was drafted by the Giants out of LSU at the 63^rd overall pick in the 2012 draft, has improved his statistics each season, increasing his receptions and total yards. In his rookie season, he recorded 19 receptions and 298 yards. In 2014, he finished the season with 71 receptions and 938 yards.

However, although he’s improved each year, Randle has struggled with inconsistency throughout his career. He’s a very talented receiver with ideal size, athleticism, and quickness that allows him to make plays in traffic. Yet, he’s struggled with drops, route running, miscommunication, and a lack of preparation.

Rueben Randle’s struggles have stunted his development and proven to be costly to the team on numerous occasions. In 2014, 7 out of Eli Manning’s 27 interceptions (26%) were intended for Randle. Even worse, Randle claimed that at least 80% percent of those were due to miscommunication, according to NJ.com’s Jordan Ranaan.

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Randle’s lack of focus and preparation led Tom Coughlin to bench him two times within three weeks last season. However, it seems that the message became loud and clear to Randle following these penalties.

In week 16, Randle lit up a St. Louis Rams defense that hadn’t allowed a single touchdown in the three previous games for six catches, 132 yards, and one touchdown. He carried the momentum into the following week and recorded 158 yards on six receptions against the Philadelphia Eagles defense that completely shut out the Giants offense in Week 6.

Following his success in week 16, Coughlin spoke highly of Randle, complimenting him on his performance.

"“As I have said all along, Rueben Randle is very talented,” Tom Coughlin said via The New York Daily News’ Ralph Vacchiano. “The way in which he approached this game, I would hope he would stamp on the back of his hand to remind him of how he prepared for this one and how well he played.”"

This season, Rueben Randle has to prove to the New York Giants (and every other team) that he’s capable of being an elite NFL receiver and a valuable asset to any offense. If he prepares for games in the way that he did in the final two games of the 2014 season, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Sep 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) catches a touchdown pass over Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson in the second quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Randle will have plenty of opportunities to breakout in 2015. Defenses won’t be able to contain Odell Beckham, Jr, Victor Cruz, and Randle. Beckham, Jr. and Cruz will draw double coverage which will open things up for Randle and set the stage for big performances.

Sure Rueben Randle has had issues which prevented him from reaching his full potential in the New York Giants offense. However, if he carries the same focus and preparation that he displayed in the final two games of last season to 2015, Randle will finally have that breakthrough season which we have all been waiting for since 2012.

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