New York Giants: 5 players who must improve

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) chat on the sideline during an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 01, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 08: New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) makes a catch and run during the National Football League game between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Chargers on October 8, 2017, at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Odell Beckham, Jr.

In some ways it’s unfair to put Beckham Jr. on this list. After all, his lack of production last season was entirely down to injury. Even so, you have to admit that the Giants will need a lot more out of him this season if they’re going to return to respectability.

The talented wide receiver was only healthy enough to play in four games for the team last year. That limited him to just 302 yards receiving. For the record, that’s over 1,000 yards fewer than the 1,367 yards he posted during his 2016 season.

Beckham Jr. is by far the team’s most effective wide receiver. Removing him from the equation makes Eli Manning’s job a lot more difficult. The likes of Sterling Shephard and Cody Latimer aren’t dynamic enough to threaten opposing defenses down the field.

Beckham Jr, of course, has a lot of motivation to play well this year. He’s made no secret of his desire to become the highest paid wide receiver in the game. The former LSU star will need 16 games of All-Pro production to convince Gettleman he’s worth that sort of investment. His return to health is one of the most important factors in the Giants season.

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