2012 Team Outlook: New York Giants
QB Eli Manning, NYG (QB - #8) - Solid/Safe Pick
While many people still have a hard time admitting it, Eli Manning has become an 'Elite' QB. He has passed for over 4,000 yards each of the last 3 seasons, including a career-high last season of 4,933 (6th most in NFL history). The younger Manning also has averaged 29 TD passes over that same span and hasn't missed a start since 2005. Eli is a top 10 fantasy QB. Draft Accordingly!
QB David Carr, NYG - Not Draft Worthy
Playing behind the durable Eli Manning, Carr is strictly a clipboard holder. He didn't attempt a single pass in 2011. Even if Eli goes down and goes down hard, trusting Carr seems unlikely.
RB David Wilson, NYG (RB - #56) - Sleeper (undervalued)
The Giants have a history of using two running backs; with Brandon Jacobs elsewhere and Ahmad Bradshaw being brittle, Wilson will get plenty of opportunity to play. The speedy 5-foot-9, 205-pounder racked up 1,709 yards and nine touchdowns for Virginia Tech. More than just an obvious fantasy handcuff for Bradshaw owners, Wilson has flex potential down the line this season and tons of upside regardless. If he lands the RB2 spot on the depth chart over Danny Ware, the rookie is definitely worth a mid round pick.
UPDATE (8-11): There have been some glowing reports out of Giants camp about the speed and burst being displayed by the former Hokie. Wilson is looking more and more like a RB3 in fantasy leagues.
RB Da'Rel Scott, NYG - Low Potential
Scott will have to have a good camp and some luck fall his way to make the 2012 roster. Not worth drafting at this point.
UPDATE (8-11): Unless there are some major injuries, Scott is useless to fantasy owners and might not be very useful to the Giants as he battles for a roster spot.
Injury Status: Injured ReserveRB Ahmad Bradshaw, --- (RB - #20) - Solid/Safe Pick
Even though the Giants drafted RB David Wilson in the first round, expect Bradshaw to remain the lead runner (especially with Brandon Jacobs gone via free agency). Despite only playing parts of 12 games last season due to injury, Bradshaw still totaled 926 total yards and set a career-high with 11 touchdowns. If he can stay healthy, Bradshaw should have no problem gaining over 1,000 total yards, catching between 35-50 receptions and finding the end zone 10 times.
UPDATE (8-11): The most important news about Bradshaw is that there is no news. He appears to be healthy at the moment, so there's that. Should that continue, Bradshaw's career highs in most categories could fall.
Injury Status: Out - FootRB D.J. Ware, --- (RB - #86) - Deep-league Only
Over the past few years Ware has received some chances, but has yet to really impress enough to warrant being more than an occasional third-down back. Unless injuries occur ahead of him, Ware is not worth drafting.
UPDATE (8-11): Due to the fact that he has played on the team for five seasons and has the faith of the coaching staff, Ware might start the season as the back-up to Ahmad Bradshaw, according to ESPN.com's NFC East blogger Dan Graziano. Does that make him a potential handcuff target? Eh, in a minor way; rookie David Wilson is the non-Bradshaw back to own. Let's just say handcuff-desiring Bradshaw owners in deep leagues could add Ware if they miss out on Wilson.
