New York Giants Preseason: 3 Takeaways vs Jets
By Randy Gurzi
2. It won’t be easy, but they can fill in for OBJ
While there is still some question as to how long star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will be out, they at least showed on Saturday night that there are some good options on the team. The best on this night with OBJ and fellow starter Brandon Marshall out was second-year receiver Sterling Shepard.
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The 2016 second-round pick had 47 yards on just two receptions and 2017 first-round pick, tight end Evan Engram, added 32 yards on two catches. Neither played long but both showed they can find opening. They will never be as explosive as Beckham, but they can at least provide some help at the position.
They will need to continue to step up if Beckham keeps sitting with his ankle injury. All the pressure remains on the pass catchers as the Giants have no one at running back that scares defenses. Paul Perkins was a fifth-round pick in 2016 and so far hasn’t even scored a regular season touchdown and barely hit 4.0 yards per attempt. Behind him — for now — is rookie Wayne Gallman, a fourth-round pick out of Clemson. He was under four-yards per attempt in this one, but may be their best option at an incredibly weak spot.