College Football Bowl Season: DXL Frisco Bowl — SMU vs. Louisiana Tech

Despite having their depth chart ravaged by injury, the New York Giants don’t really need any more premium draft picks invested in receiving options. Odell Beckham Jr. is expected to be back to full strength long before the start of the 2018 season, and in his absence Sterling Shepard has stepped up to show that he is more than “just” slot receiver.

DXL Frisco Bowl - SMU vs. Louisiana Tech

ESPN - 8 p.m.

Despite the Giants probably not being interested in the top of the receiver depth chart, the DXL Frisco Bowl is still worth a watch, primarily because of SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Though the Giants aren’t likely to be interested in Sutton, scouting the top of the depth chart can help to create context for later in the draft.

Sutton is a long receiver, listed at 6’4,” 213 pounds, giving him the size to be a mismatch for most defensive backs, while having enough speed to get down the field. Teams want to see prospects from smaller schools dominate their competition, and Sutton has largely done that. Over the last three seasons he has accumulated 187 receptions for 3,125 yards and 31 touchdowns, including 14 games of more than 100 yards, and nine multi-touchdown games. He will need to improve on his route running at the next level, but the tools are there to be a number one, or high-level No. 2 receiver.

Sutton is likely to vie with Calvin Ridley of Alabama and James Washington of Oklahoma State for the title of first receiver selected in the draft.

SMU’s other receiver, Trey Quinn, might be of greater interest to the Giants. A transfer from LSU — which, given the Giants’ history, though in another regime, should always make Giants fans’ ears perk up — Quinn was the Mustangs’ leading receiver in 2017. He notched an impressive 106 receptions for 1191 yards and 12 touchdowns. He doesn’t have Sutton’s size, but he has impressive speed and reportedly runs a 4.3 second 40-yard dash. Quinn has also been praised for his hands, which should also interest a team that easily paces the league in dropped passes.

So, who are you watching tonight?