News: Giants receiver Jerrel Jernigan told the New York Post he struggled to adapt to the team's offense last season but has worked this offseason to digest the offense. He didn't make a single catch last year. "For me last year, coming in without OTAs, the offseason was even tougher for me, coming right in, just throw me in the fire coming from a spread offense," Jernigan said. "This offseason helped me a lot. I’m understanding more than I did last year and I’m more comfortable out there. I’m just feeling better in the offense, understanding the concepts more. I’m not thinking any more, I’m going out and just reacting to the coverages as I see them."
Analysis: Jernigan will battle for playing time with Rueben Randle, Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon in camp. He'll need to look amazing in order to land relevant playing time in the New York offense. For now he's only worth stashing in deeper dynasty leagues.
News: Giants rookie WR/PR Jerrel Jernigan was taken in for X-rays on his wrist late in the fourth quarter after being injured Thursday night in the preseason finale against New England. Prior to getting hurt Jernigan had one catch for 14 yards and one carry for minus-6 yards.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Jernigan, and hopefully he will be OK. When healthy, he has minimal Fantasy value and should not be drafted in the majority of leagues.
News: Giants QB Eli Manning hasn't seen a lot of third-round pick WR Jerrel Jernigan, but the captain is still impressed. Jernigan is expected to battle for work on special teams and as a slot receiver -- a good summer could land him Steve Smith's old role in the Giants' offense (Smith is currently unsigned). "He had a good post route yesterday that he caught," Manning said. "He catches the ball very well, very naturally."
Analysis: Jernigan is worth watching in the preseason -- if he works a bunch with the first-team offense then we might see him land a decent role. But for now keep him on your radar and not on your rank list. Fantasy owners in dynasty/keeper leagues can take him with a middle- to late-round flier while owners in rookie-only formats can go for him with a third- or fourth-round pick.
News: The New York Post reports that Giants rookie WR Jerrel Jernigan, a third-round draft pick from Troy, is ready to work. Jernigan was the only Division-I player last season to score a touchdown receiving, rushing, passing and on punt and kickoff returns. The Giants have every intention of putting Jernigan directly into the mix in the return game and perhaps also as a slot receiver. "I'm an explosive guy. I like the ball in my hands," said Jernigan, who set Troy career records for receptions (262) and yards (3,128). "Yeah, I'm a pretty confident guy. I think I'll be a confident rookie." He's working out five days a week at Troy and has no idea what the Giants have in store for him. "It's frustrating knowing whenever it gets settled all the rookies are going to be behind and will have to learn quickly," Jernigan said. "I'm a smart enough guy that I can get it done. Regardless, I'm still excited. This was my No. 1 dream since I started playing football. It's kind of disappointing I haven't started yet and haven't got my first practice in yet, but when it's all said and done I'll be ready to go."
Analysis: Jernigan will likely see more time on special teams in the return game than helping on offense, although he could be on the field for special packages in the passing game. In leagues that reward special-teams play he's worth a late-round flier since he might give that unit a spark there. He's also a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
News: The Giants touched need areas in the final five rounds, including when they took Troy receiver-returner Jerrel Jernigan in the third round. Jernigan had 84 catches last season and 262 in his career. He has the athletic ability to run the wildcat, and his quickness makes him a threat on both kickoff and punt returns, which the Giants need after finishing 31st in both categories last season. Coach Tom Coughlin likes what he sees from Jernigan, citing his versatility as one of his best characteristics while not being concerned that he didn't make a lot of big plays in Troy's passing game over the last few years. "He was operating in a system without a big arm," Coughlin said.
Analysis: We suspect Jernigan will work primarily on special teams in his first full season and chances are he'll have a hard time cracking the Giants' starting lineup given their quality young receivers. In leagues that reward special-teams play he's worth a late-round flier since he might give that unit a spark there. He's also a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
