It remains to be seen where the New York Giants will finish this season, but the team will almost certainly draft high in the first round. Barring a shocking turnaround through the last six games of the season, the team should be around the top ten when they make their selection. And if they are in that spot, there’s one player that stands out as a major possible addition to the offense – Ja’Marr Chase, from LSU.
The last time the Giants took a receiver from LSU, of course, that receiver ended up being a big deal. Odell Beckham Jr.’s time with the franchise can appropriately be called an era, and the team’s fates rose and fell with Beckham. They last made the playoffs during a year when Beckham made the Pro Bowl for the third straight time. And as Beckham struggled with injury the next season, the Giants fell off.
They still don’t have a receiver that’s as much of a star and part of the offense as Beckham was. Sterling Shepard was supposed to fill the role, but he has yet to have a 1,000 yard season. He hasn’t repeated his 8 touchdown rookie season, either.
But the Giants do have a chance to pick up a true star receiver in the Draft this offseason, if Chase isn’t off the board by the time they pick.
A prolific college football career
Odell Beckham Jr. surprised a lot of people when he turned out to be as effective as he was for the Giants. Ja’Marr Chase becoming a star in the NFL would likely surprise a lot less people. His resume coming out of LSU is stronger than Beckham’s, and stronger than most NFL wide receiver prospects.
Joe Burrow was the top draft pick this year and his final season was called the best ever by a college quarterback by some. But Chase was his top target during that season. Chase registered 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns, before opting out of the 2020 season to focus on draft preparation.
But his statistics are still holding up.
Most TDs on 20+ yard passes since Wk 1 of 2019
? Ja'Marr Chase, LSU – 14
Chase hasn't played a single snap this season pic.twitter.com/gE8kem88Mj
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 17, 2020
As of week eleven of the current college season, Chase was still the leader on 20+ yard touchdown receptions since 2019. And that’s despite not stepping onto the field this year.
It’s easier for the Giants to win with Daniel Jones if there’s weapons available. Chase is an offensive weapon that will almost certainly be drafted around the top ten. If they’re in a position to draft him come 2021, they would be wise to take a chance and do it even if wide receiver isn’t the biggest need on the team.
Even if it isn’t, helping Daniel Jones and improving the passing offense would bring the team forward further in the rebuilding process. And it might be a while before there’s as promising of a wide receiver prospect available to the Giants.