Giants Sign Lil Jordan Humphrey: Analyzing the New Wide Receiver Addition

Giants Bolster Wide Receiver Corps with Lil Jordan Humphrey Signing

The New York Giants have made a move to strengthen their wide receiver room, signing Lil Jordan Humphrey to a one-year deal. This acquisition comes as the team continues its efforts to surround quarterback Daniel Jones with more offensive weapons. Let's take a closer look at Humphrey's background, skills, and what he might bring to the Giants' offense.

Who is Lil Jordan Humphrey?

Lil Jordan Humphrey is a 27-year-old wide receiver who played college football at the University of Texas. After going undrafted in 2019, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. Humphrey spent three seasons with the Saints (2019-2021) before moving on to the New England Patriots in 2022 and the Denver Broncos in 2023.

Physical Attributes

Humphrey brings good size to the Giants' receiving corps:

• Height: 6'4"
• Weight: 225 lbs

This physical stature makes him an intriguing option, particularly in red zone situations where his height can be advantageous.

Humphrey's NFL Career Stats and Performance

Let's examine Humphrey's NFL career stats to get a better understanding of what he's accomplished so far:

2023 Season (with Denver Broncos)

• Games played: 17
• Games started: 7
• Targets: 45
• Receptions: 31
• Receiving yards: 293
• Yards per catch: 9.5
• Touchdowns: 1
• First downs: 12
• Receiving success rate: 46.7%

The 2023 season was Humphrey's most productive in the NFL, showcasing his ability to contribute as a rotational receiver.

Career Highlights

• Played all 17 games in both 2022 and 2023
• Steadily increased his role, earning 8 starts in 2022 and 7 starts in 2023
• Demonstrated consistency and durability by being available for all games in the past two seasons

Analyzing Humphrey's Skill Set

To understand how Humphrey might fit into the Giants' offense, let's break down his strengths and areas for improvement:

Strengths

1. Red Zone Threat: At 6'4" and 225 lbs, Humphrey has the size to be a valuable target in the red zone. His frame allows him to box out defenders and present a large catch radius for his quarterback.

2. Contested Catch Ability: Throughout his career, Humphrey has shown promise in contested catch situations. He has caught 4 out of 10 contested catch opportunities, good for a 40% success rate. While not elite, this demonstrates his ability to come down with difficult catches in traffic.

3. Yards After Catch: Despite his size, Humphrey has shown surprising ability with the ball in his hands. In 2023, he forced 9 missed tackles, up from 3 the previous year. He averaged 6.2 yards after catch, which is impressive considering his overall yards per catch average.

4. Reliability: Humphrey's ability to play all 17 games in each of the last two seasons speaks to his durability and reliability. This is a valuable trait for a depth receiver.

Areas for Improvement

1. Deep Threat Capability: Humphrey has not proven to be a consistent deep threat in his NFL career. In 2023, he did not record a single catch on passes traveling more than 20 yards downfield, going 0-for-5 on such targets.

2. Route Tree Expansion: With an average depth of target of just 6.3 yards in 2023 (down from 9.9 in 2022), Humphrey's route tree appears limited. Expanding his ability to run a variety of routes could make him a more versatile threat.

3. Special Teams Contribution: For a player likely to be competing for a back-end roster spot, Humphrey's limited special teams experience (just 89 career snaps in five seasons) could be a concern. Improving in this area could boost his chances of making the final roster.

Potential Role with the Giants

The signing of Lil Jordan Humphrey doesn't immediately solve the Giants' need for a true number one receiver, but it does add depth and competition to the wide receiver room. Here's how Humphrey might fit into the Giants' plans:

Depth Chart Competition

Humphrey will likely compete for one of the final wide receiver spots on the roster. The Giants' current wide receiver depth chart includes:

1. Darius Slayton
2. Wan'Dale Robinson
3. Jalin Hyatt
4. Isaiah Hodgins
5. Parris Campbell
6. Collin Johnson
7. Lil Jordan Humphrey

With the top three or four spots likely secured, Humphrey will need to outperform players like Campbell and Johnson to earn a roster spot.

Red Zone Specialist

Given his size and contested catch ability, Humphrey could carve out a role as a red zone specialist. The Giants have lacked a big-bodied receiver who can win jump balls in the end zone, and Humphrey could fill that niche.

Possession Receiver

With his ability to make catches in traffic and gain yards after the catch, Humphrey could serve as a reliable possession receiver on short to intermediate routes. This could be particularly valuable on third downs or in two-minute drill situations.

Special Teams Contributor

To secure a roster spot, Humphrey may need to prove his value on special teams. While he hasn't played many special teams snaps in his career, his size and tackling ability could make him an asset on coverage units if he can develop in this area.

How Humphrey's Signing Impacts the Giants' Offense

While Humphrey isn't likely to dramatically transform the Giants' passing attack, his addition does provide some benefits:

1. Increased Competition: By bringing in Humphrey, the Giants are fostering competition among their wide receivers. This can push everyone to perform at a higher level during training camp and preseason.

2. Red Zone Improvement: The Giants struggled in the red zone last season, ranking 24th in red zone touchdown percentage. Humphrey's size could help improve this area of the offense.

3. Depth Insurance: NFL seasons are long, and injuries are common. Having a player like Humphrey who has proven he can stay healthy and contribute when called upon provides valuable depth.

4. Scheme Flexibility: Humphrey's ability to play both outside and in the slot gives offensive coordinator Mike Kafka more flexibility in designing personnel packages.

What's Next for the Giants' Receiving Corps?

While the addition of Lil Jordan Humphrey is a positive step, it's unlikely to be the last move the Giants make to address their wide receiver position. Here are some potential next steps:

1. Draft Investment: The 2024 NFL Draft is deep at wide receiver. The Giants could use one of their early picks on a top prospect like Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, or Malik Nabers.

2. Trade Market: If a high-profile receiver becomes available via trade, the Giants could explore that option to add a true number one target.

3. Continued Free Agency: There are still some veteran receivers available in free agency. The Giants could look to add more experienced options as the offseason progresses.

4. Internal Development: The Giants will also focus on developing their young receivers like Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, hoping for significant second-year leaps from both players.

Conclusion: A Solid Depth Addition

The signing of Lil Jordan Humphrey represents a low-risk, moderate-reward move for the New York Giants. While he's unlikely to suddenly become a star, Humphrey brings valuable size, some proven NFL production, and the potential to contribute in specific roles.

For the Giants, this signing is about creating competition, adding depth, and potentially finding a contributor who can help in key situations like the red zone. It's a smart depth move that gives the coaching staff more options to work with as they continue to build and refine the offense around Daniel Jones.

As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how Humphrey fits into the Giants' plans and whether he can carve out a meaningful role in the offense. For now, it's a solid addition that improves the overall talent level in the wide receiver room and pushes the Giants one step closer to fielding a more competitive offense in 2024.

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