Giants Roster Breakdown: Victor Cruz

We have spent most of the offseason talking about the contract status of New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz. Today we talk about Cruz as part of our look at the 90-man roster the Giants will bring to training camp in July.

2012 Season In Review

Cruz followed a franchise record 1,536-yard 2011 season with a very good but not as sensational 86-catch, 1,092-yard 2012 season. Cruz had more touchdowns (10-9), but his yards per catch dropped from an insane 18.7 yard average to a more normal 12.7 yards per catch. Much of that was likely due to the fact that Hakeem Nicks was limited much of the season, meaning teams could focus more defensive attention on slowing Cruz.

2013 Outlook

Cruz has signed his 2013 one-year tender, but we know the big story will be when, or if, he and the Giants can reach a long-term contract agreement.

On the field you have to believe Cruz is capable of another 80+ catch, 1,000-yard receiving season. The question is can the return to health of Nicks and the development of Rueben Randle loosen up defenses enough to allow Cruz to make more explosive plays than he did in 2012? Cruz is outstanding, but not as outstanding without reliable running mates to deflect some of the attention.