NFL Comeback Player Of The Year 2016: Top 10 Candidates
By Neal Lynch
4. WR Victor Cruz, New York Giants
Vic hasn’t played a single down since his catastrophic knee injury in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014, which means Cruz has missed 26 games. The Giants were 3-2 at the time of his season-ending setback, but went on to a 6-10 record.
Cruz was expected to be back in the lineup for 2015, but a calf injury ended his season in training camp. There was a lot of speculation that Cruz might get cut before June 1st, however, he and Big Blue came to an agreement that would reduce his hit against the salary cap, allowing the organization to make waves in free agency.
Victor has only started one full season in his six-year career, in 2012 when he made the Pro Bowl with 86 grabs for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns. The salsa dancer missed a couple games in 2013 and his production declined, mostly because there wasn’t a viable secondary threat for Eli Manning to consider.
That’s changed now as Odell Beckham, Jr. has emerged as a superstar and 2016 second round draft pick Sterling Shepard has thoroughly impressed everyone this Spring. Cruz can now come in and line up against either a #2 or #3 corner in single-man coverage and win battles.
Though, there are only so many targets and touches to go around, Cruz can conservatively figure on catching 50-60 passes for 660 yards and 5 touchdowns. But, seeing as all three top wideouts for the Giants are superb route runners, Cruz’s ceiling could be 70-80 snags for 800-900 and 10 scores. Plus, the Giants are tied for second easiest schedule in the NFL.
Given Victor’s history, if he can generate consistent, impactful production over all 16 games, he’d be difficult to ignore for Comeback Player of the Year.
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