Training camp is drawing near and the worst time of the year is slowly coming to an end. With the New York Giants ready to embark on another hopeful run toward the Lombardi Trophy, I will analyze the team and present my top 10 players on the Giants’ roster. Rookies have been excluded as they bear no body of work yet in the NFL.
No. 8: Brandon Myers
Position: TE
Age: 27
Seasons with the Giants: None (signed as a free agent after 2012 season)
2012 in Review: Brandon Myers comes to the New York Giants following a breakout performance with the Oakland Raiders in 2012. The former sixth-round pick burst onto the scene as part of a much-improved Raiders passing attack, recording 79 receptions for 806 yards and four touchdowns.
The tight end became a dependable option for quarterback Carson Palmer last season. He was targeted 105 times — more than all but one Raider receiver — and recorded an impressive 41 first-down receptions. That tally accounted for 21 percent of the Raiders’ 200 first downs through the air and was seventh among all NFL tight ends.
Outlook for 2013: Myers get his opportunity to prove he’s the real deal in an offensive system that has made far inferior tight ends look like superstars (see: Jake Ballard and Kevin Boss). Not the blocker his predecessor Martellus Bennett is by any means, Myers’ potential as an offensive weapon across the middle exceeds anything “The Black Unicorn” could offer.
He is a crisp route runner with soft hands and a penchant for the big play. He shows good vision and awareness, locating holes in defenses and getting open.
Scout Inc.’s Matt Williamson said of Myers (via ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson):
“Myers certainly understands when to sit it down versus zone coverage and runs sharp enough routes to get open versus man as well,” Williamson said. “Oakland’s receivers have a lot of talent, but are just so erratic and inconsistent with their routes and responsibilities … which makes Myers alluring for this passing game. Oakland should bring him back if possible.”
Of course, the Raiders did not bring Myers back, and it will be the Giants who benefit from their failure to do so. With receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz already certain to garner much of opposing defenses’ attention — they have accounted for 4,512 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns over the last two seasons — Myers should see plenty of opportunities in the Giants’ passing game.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.