Why John Ross was a GREAT signing for the New York Giants:
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected speedy receiver John Ross with the ninth overall pick in 2017, they imagine they’d be getting someone like Tyreek Hill.
However, Ross has been a major disappointment since his inception into the NFL, playing just 11 games over the last two years. The Bengals let him walk without hesitation, and another premium draft pick wasted. The New York Giants might benefit the most from Ross and his inadequacy in Cincinnati.
Last season, Ross played in just three games before being placed on the COVID-19 list and opting to be with his son, who contracted the virus. Ross ended up on injured reserve with a foot injury, just another speed bump in the road full of construction. However, the Giants are offering him an opportunity to revitalize his career with a fresh bill of health and an opportunity to gain a starting receiver spot on offense.
The Giants might very well be in the market for a WR1 in FA, which could ultimately be Kenny Golladay or even Curtis Samuel. I wouldn’t rule out the 2021 NFL draft as a potential option for them either, as they hold the 11th overall pick and could likely land a premium receiver at their selection.
How will John Ross incorporate himself into the New York Giants’ plans?
Management signed Ross to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with $1 million guaranteed. This is a solid contract for a player with unlimited upside. Having run a sub 4.30 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL combine, he was never able to maximize on his speed. In addition, Ross has dealt with dropped ball issues the past few years, featuring a 36.2% catch rate in 2018 and 50% in 2019.
At just 25 years old, he has plenty of untapped potential, and the Giants could use his downfield abilities as they try to expand their offense and push the football away from the line of scrimmage. Daniel Jones ranked one of the best deep-ball passers in the NFL last year, so getting him a receiver who can burn the secondary on go-routes is beneficial.
I imagine he will battle it out with Darius Slayton and Dante Pettis for a spot on the starting team, especially if the Giants find another receiver in FA or the draft. This is a low-risk, high reward signing, which is exactly what the Giants should be doing more frequently on cost-efficient deals.