Ten New York Giants that will test the Detroit Lions
By Ash Thompson
OBJ and co.
The Giants have a very solid and dangerous receiver group. They can stretch the field from basically any position on the field, and their quarterback Eli Manning is very good at finding open receivers.
Odel Beckham is one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers. He is, with all due respect to Barkley, the most dangerous man on the field every snap he plays. His acrobatic feats get on highlight reels, but his crisp route running makes him every bit as dangerous underneath as he is on deep balls. Even Darius Slay is going to have issues with single coverage against Beckham. No other Lions defensive back has a chance.
Sterling Shepard is a very good number two, and a perfect complement to Beckham. He shares the route running capability but lacks the eye-popping athletic traits. Shepard is no slouch, but he is quicker than fast possession receiver. This is an ideal test for the Lions bigger corners like DeShawn Shead and Teez Tabor. During the season would likely be Nevin Lawson or Jamal Agnew drawing the assignment, as both are of similar size, but more athletic than Shepard.
Evan Engram is the type of player that will test every Lions linebacker and safety effectively. Every snap he takes is an opportunity for the Lions to go up against something that is not on their roster. The Lions lack an elite athlete at the tight end position. Engram is the first long-term exposure Jarrad Davis will get to a problem he was unable to solve as a rookie.
Eli Manning is a veteran QB that will expose the weak point in the Lions defense if there is one. Particularly with his full allotment of weapons. When a Lions defensive back misses an assignment, fans will be alerted immediately simply by following the ball.