The NY Giants have gotten some amazing play from wide receiver Odell Beckham in 2014 and now it looks like the rookie is the legit number two receiver behind Victor Cruz over Rueben Randle, as Tom Coughlin has benched Randle twice over the past three weeks and Eli Manning has developed a great rapport with the first year star.
Beckham broke out in a big way with his game against the Dallas Cowboys and his fantastic one handed catch, but he has been far more than a one game wonder. Beckham leads all wide receivers over the past six weeks in the league in receptions and yards and now it looks like he will be the number two receiver moving forward behind Cruz once he returns from a knee injury. According to ESPN.com, Randle was benched for the first quarter against the Washington Redskins on Sunday and he did not play much in the game after sitting out.
Coughlin was asked about Randle after the game and was coy about it, saying it was between him and the player. Randle reportedly missed a meeting before the game against the Jaguars and he was benched for part of that matchup as well. Randle has been up and down this season for the Giants, who expected the receiver to step up in his third season after Hakeem Nicks left. The loss of Cruz has opened things up for Beckham and the Giants have also found depth with Preston Parker, Kevin Ogletree and Corey Washington at the position.
Beckham has the inside track to the rookie of the year award on offense despite playing in fewer games than fellow receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Mike Evans. Beckham has a signature moment and he also has the stats to show for it, as he is leading all rookie wideouts in receptions. The fact that he has put up the number he has put up in fewer games makes it even more impressive, as he had to pick up the Ben McAdoo offense quickly after missing the offseason program and training camp with injuries.
Beckham has played in just 10 games and has 71 catches for 972 yards and nine touchdowns and he has gone for at least 100 yards in half of those games. Beckham is averaging over 95 yards per game to start his career and he also has been contributing through the punt return game. Last week Beckham had 12 catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns against the Redskins and he is looking like a major star and should be very productive alongside Victor Cruz.
Beckham has helped turn things around the second half of the season for the Giants offense and that could help save Tom Coughlin's job. The Giants have not played up to expectations in 2014, but the New York Post reports that Coughlin is likely to be retained after the season despite missing the playoffs again.
