When safety Landon Collins was asked if any of the young Giants receivers had stood out in his eyes, he first mentioned Sterling Shepard, the second-round draft pick from Oklahoma, but he also touted Roger Lewis Jr., the undrafted free agent from Bowling Green.
The mention of Shepard’s name was expected given his draft status and high expectations. Lewis, meanwhile, has emerged as a pleasant surprise in camp, earning a hard look from a coaching staff that may have some tough decisions to make at the position.
“Sterling, he’s stepped up the most out of all the younger receivers that are out there,” Collins said Sunday. “Roger Lewis, he stood out to me, too. They’ve done great things, running their routes precise and getting open and catching the ball.”
He could have mentioned a few more names, too, such as Myles White, in his third year out of Louisiana Tech, and Darius Powe, a rookie free agent from Cal. Both have been making their share of plays.
While the Giants continue to wait on Victor Cruz to get healthy enough to play in a game, the depth at the position might make him expendable if he doesn’t impress soon. A groin strain that kept him out of Friday’s preseason opener against the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium apparently hasn’t gotten better, and it’s beginning to sound like the popular wide receiver won’t be at full strength when the Giants travel to Buffalo on Saturday to play Rex Ryan’s Bills.
Cruz hasn’t been in a game since October 2014, when he tore his patellar tendon at Philadelphia. He missed the entire 2015 season after suffering a calf injury in training camp that eventually required surgery.
So far, there’s no indication the Giants are losing patience with Cruz, but if several young prospects continue to sparkle in camp, the organization could be faced with deciding how long is long enough to wait on Cruz.
Odell Beckham and Shepard already are forming a promising tandem. In addition, Lewis and White are making the most of their share of reps in team drills.
“We’re going to give a lot of guys opportunities to see who wants it more,” Giants head coach Ben McAdoo said.
Lewis caught the only ball thrown his way for 9 yards Friday as the Giants attempted just 18 passes in the 27-10 loss. McAdoo hopes to give his receivers more opportunities against the Bills.
“I need to do a better job of giving those guys a chance to make plays,” he said.
Lewis, a 22-year-old from Pickerington, Ohio, who totaled 2,638 yards receiving and 23 TDs in two years at Bowling Green, will take whatever he can get.
“I look at it as competing every day,” he said. “I’ll take baby steps. Hopefully, I can make big plays and be the playmaker that I am.”
White is in his third NFL season after playing seven games with the Packers in 2013 and 12 with the Giants last year, when he caught seven passes for 88 yards and one touchdown.
“I think I’ve done pretty well,” White said. “I think I’m showing a lot of consistency. I think I’m showing my speed. I’m just trying to get in where I fit in and show I can go out and help the team.”
Despite the intense competition, the receivers have been supportive of each other, sharing knowledge and critiques and understanding there won’t be enough room on the roster for all of them.
“It’s the closest I’ve been with any group in four years,” White said. “It’s all love and respect for one another and we always help each other out. Obviously, with Vic being nicked up, we support him when we can. And when he’s back out there, he supports us. It’s good to see. It’s one room full of people who want to see the best out of everybody.”
Deciding on the best at wide receiver may be tougher than expected.