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Fantasy Football 2017: New York Giants outlook

By James Simpson

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) evades a tackle from Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) on his touchdown run during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) evades a tackle from Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) on his touchdown run during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants have surrounded Eli Manning with receiving talent ahead of the 2017 season. Who are the fantasy stars to watch out for?

Eli Manning

With all the weapons around him, Manning should be a target for you this year. He’s 35 and coming off a bad year (only 26 touchdowns to 16 interceptions), but this offseason his receiving group has been rejuvenated with stars. As a general strategy in 2017, it would be better to hold off on a quarterback until the later rounds and snag Manning, than use a pick on one early – he’s capable of great (fantasy football) things for a cheap price.

Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen and Wayne Gallman

New York has a fourth round pick in Gallman, fifth round pick in Perkins and a perennial disappointment in Vereen. Vereen, even if fully healthy, is a pass-catcher and won’t steal many carries, so that leaves the two young backs.

Gallman had over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns for the national champions Clemson last year and could be involved, but head coach Ben McAdoo recently said Perkins is the starter. While you don’t have to be enamoured with Perkins’ talent, he’ll have a great opportunity to score points through volume in an offense that should be able to move the ball well. He’s worth a shot in the mid rounds.

Odell Beckham Jr.

There’s not too much to say about Beckham outside the fact he might be the best receiver in the game. With three straight seasons to start his career of 90-plus catches, 1,300-plus yards and ten-plus touchdowns, you can bet he’ll have another outstanding season. No pick is too high for OBJ.

Brandon Marshall

Yes, this will be his age-33 season. And yes, last year was his worst since 2010. But 2016 was a complete shambles for the Jets, and now Marshall has a reliable quarterback, and could see a healthy amount of single coverage for the first time in his career. Don’t be scared off by the fact he’s on a new team – he put up over 1,500 yards in his debut seasons as a Jet and a Chicago Bear. We should see Marshall bounce back in 2017.

Sterling Shepard

Shepard had a very impressive rookie campaign, hauling in eight touchdowns (in eight different games) and proving to be a valuable weapon from the slot. With the additions of Marshall and Evan Engram, however, those touchdowns might slip away from him. There’s no doubt he’s a great talent and asset to his team, but we should be wary of how much he can be for yours. Don’t be surprised by a ‘sophomore slump’ from the second-year man.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

Evan Engram

The Giants snagged Engram at pick number 23 in the draft, and he takes their offense to another dimension. As if having two number one receivers on the outside wasn’t enough, Engram is a receiver-type tight end who provides speed down the seam. He crushed the combine, and has tremendous potential. I view him as the best rookie tight end fit, and he could have an immediate impact.

The Best of the Rest

The Giants added Shaun Draughn in free agency, but I don’t expect him to get much of a look in. It’ll be difficult for Orleans Darkwa to get touches as well, without injuries ahead of him. Wideout Roger Lewis hauled in a couple of TDs last year, but should disappear from fantasy radars. New York is very top-heavy, and there isn’t much to see past the top names.

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