June brings mandatory minicamp, and for the New York Giants, the two largest groups of position players belong to the linebackers and the wide receivers. 

Yesterday, the tight-knit group of wide receivers went from 11 healthy players to 10 when superstar return man and wide receiver Domenik Hixon went down with a torn ACL.

Now opportunity knocks, and in steps Ramses Barden , the third round draft pick from 2009. Last year the 6'6" wide receiver from Cal Poly never saw the playing field, as he was buried on the depth chart behind Steve Smith , Hakeem Nicks , Mario Manningham , Hixon, Derek Hagan , and Sinorice Moss .

After another disappointing year from Moss and the latest injury to Hixon, Barden should be able to step up and make the most of this opportunity.

After a second year with the playbook, and another year getting acclimated to the system and Eli Manning , I expect Barden to challenge Hagan for the fourth wide receiver spot on this offense.

Hagan, originally a third round draft choice by the Miami Dolphins in 2006, was released by the Fins in 2008 and signed by the Giants. His ability to make plays on special teams has made Hagan a valuable member of the 2010 NY Giants.

Ramses would be the perfect No. 4 wide receiver for the Giants, giving Manning a sorely missed deep threat and a receiver athletic (and tall) enough to catch that corner fade route in the back of end zone, as Plaxico Burress had once done so well. 

Let's not forget how having a 6'6" receiver will give cornerbacks nightmares across the league...just ask Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown or Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl cornerback Al Harris.