Why Rueben Randle Is the Must-Start, Under-the-Radar Fantasy Play in NFL Week 1

The Giants head into their season opener against the Cowboys with Victor Cruz likely out thanks to a calf injury that’s bothered him since the second week of the preseason. Of course, Cruz had been attempting to comeback from a torn patellar he suffered just six games into last season. That leaves a big hole in the team’s receiving corps. Or does it?

While everyone is excited to see how Odell Beckham Jr. will follow up his stellar rookie season, his role as the top receiver in New York was never in doubt. What becomes of the starting wide receiver spot shouldn’t be much of a question, because Rueben Randle filled it last year and should do so again on Sunday night in Dallas and possibly beyond.

With Cruz out of the lineup last season, Randle was tied for 19th among WRs with 128 targets and totaled 71 receptions for 938 yards and three touchdowns, according to FantasyPros. That was good enough for 11.4 fantasy points per game and 182.8 total fantasy points, which ranked him 30th at the position. That made him a solid WR3, but he could have been so much better. By catching just 71 of his 128 targets, Randle ended up with a 55.5 percent catch rate, which is terrible. 

Efficiency was not a strong point for Randle last season, but there have been signs of improvement. Back in June, Randle told Steve Serby of the New York Post, he could catch 80 passes, noting that the 71 he had last season could have easily been more. He felt he underachieved, but knows he’s in a statement year with his contract coming up at the end of the season.

In that same article, Randle received praised from his quarterback, Eli Manning.

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I think Rueben’ll have a big year. I think Rueben can be a great receiver, a dominant receiver. I think he has the ability, it’s just kind of getting it for 16 games and hopefully more than that with the playoffs.

I think he has it in him. You’ve definitely seen him from Day 1 to Day Now, just the maturity level is definitely improved, he’s all in, he’s been here working, he’s been here off days, and so been impressed with his commitment, and I know he’s excited for a big year, wants to have a big year, and I think he can do that.

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That praised continued into the start of training camp.

Now, with a chance to get his season off to a strong start, Randle faces a Dallas secondary that lost their best cornerback, Orlando Scandrick, to a torn ACL and MCL just a few weeks ago. With that injury, the Cowboys are left with Morris Claiborne attempting to come back from a torn patellar of his own and Brandon Carr, who has been a massive disappointment since signing back in 2012.

The Giants have plenty of their own personnel concerns on defense, but that’s more about a general lack of talent. What this adds up to is a possible high-scoring affair with two quarterbacks who aren’t afraid to throw it in Manning and Tony Romo. Beckham should draw plenty of attention as the team’s top weapon, which could open things up for Randle to take advantage and with a height advantage over both Carr and Claiborne. Randle can go up and get jump balls and be a factor in the red zone.

Not only do I like Randle this week, but also going forward, especially if Cruz has to miss more time, which ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks is a distinct possibility. Because of his size and skill set, Randle is a better fit to play on the outside with Beckham and Cruz playing in the slot, whenever he gets on the field. That creates a consistent role in an offense that will need to throw a lot because of their poor defense.

Beckham will be the one getting all the attention heading into this NFC East showdown, but it’s Randle flying under the radar with a chance to start his season with a bang in prime time. I’ve ranked him as a top-20 WR for Week 1, making him a solid WR2.