Victor Cruz
  • Victor Cruz

  • WR
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  • 38
  • 204 lbs
  • 6' 0"
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Scouting report

by Brandon Niles

NYG WR Victor Cruz - Week 18, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Wild Card Round at Green Bay
Victor Cruz had some ups and downs this year as the third option in the Giants’ receiving corps, but ultimately didn’t make a huge fantasy impact as he got buried behind Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Sterling Shepard on the depth chart. Cruz seems past the point of being a top-level fantasy WR following two injury-plagued seasons, but it’s good to see him healthy and with an active role in the passing game. He has a little upside as a deep sleeper this week against the Packers, who have allowed the second most passing yards to opposing teams this season. Expect the Giants to the throw the ball a lot in what could become a shootout. Cruz is very risky, but classifies as a low-end bargain option if you’re in a league where you have to invest heavily in star players.

by Brandon Niles

NYG WR Victor Cruz - Week 5, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 5 at Green Bay
Victor Cruz had five catches for 50 yards on Monday night against the Vikings and was targeted nine times, tied for the most on the team with Odell Beckham Jr. and Bobby Rainey. Cruz continues to be active in the Giants’ passing attack and is third on the team with six targets per game through four weeks. Working out of the slot, he’s a viable deep-league PPR option each week.

Against the Packers on Sunday, Cruz should once again get a handful of targets and put up modest numbers. The Packers have allowed an average of 307 yards and two touchdowns per game through the air this season and Cruz could be a sneaky start in PPR leagues as a WR3 option with a nice matchup. He’ll be vying with Beckham Jr. and rookie Sterling Shepard for targets, but he has a higher floor than some of the other waiver wire options out there if you’re in bye week or injury trouble.

by Brandon Niles

NYG WR Victor Cruz - Week 4, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 4 at Minnesota
Victor Cruz had 70 yards on three receptions last week against Washington, but those three catches were the only times he was targeted all game. He remains a low-end WR3 option most weeks as the primary slot WR, but he’s clearly third on the pecking order behind Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Sterling Shepard. Against the Vikings this week, who rank in the top-10 in both passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed so far this season, Cruz is a risky start and should probably be left on the bench.

by Brandon Niles

NYG WR Victor Cruz - Week 3, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 vs. Washington
Prior to tearing his patellar tendon in Week 6 of the 2014 season, Victor Cruz was consistently a borderline WR1/WR2 option in most league formats. Now, it seems as though he’s settling back into a nice slot WR role in New York. Finally healthy, he’s caught eight balls for 125 yards and a touchdown through the first two weeks of the season.

This week, Cruz goes up against a Washington team that has made Eli Rogers look like a veteran star in Week 1 against Pittsburgh, and gave up five catches and 75 yards to Cole Beasley out of the slot last week against Dallas. Cruz is too risky as the third option in the passing game, but he has some upside with a nice matchup and could be worth a gamble if your team has been decimated by injuries and you need a WR3 that is unlikely to get you a goose egg.

by Brandon Niles

NYG WR Victor Cruz - 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside
Prior to tearing his patellar tendon in Week 6 of the 2014 season, Victor Cruz was a consistent slot receiver for the Giants. He had 19 total touchdowns between 2011 and 2012, and was targeted 6.8 times per game before the injury two years ago. Cruz is still only 29, an age when most receivers are just starting to decline, but still usually have a few good years left. Also, he’s looked healthy in camp and has a good chance of regaining his role as the primary option out of the slot this year.

Fantasy Downside
Coming off his torn patellar tendon last year, Cruz tore his fascia in his left calf and missed the entire 2015 season, so he hasn’t played since October 12, 2014. Also, we haven’t seen how Cruz will be affected by the phenomenal Odell Beckham Jr., who hadn’t yet become a regular starter for the Giants the last time Cruz took the field. Additionally, Cruz will have rookie Sterling Shepard vying for snaps. While Cruz should see some playing time, it’s unclear exactly how many targets there will be to go around.

2016 Bottom Line
Cruz is a risky option to put a lot of draft stock into. On the one hand, he’s finally healthy and has proven he can produce at a high level. On the other hand, it’s been a long time since he’s been on the field, and the Giants passing game has changed since he was a focal point for the offense. He’s going at the end of drafts right now, which is about where he belongs as a high risk option with upside at the end of your bench.

by Brandon Niles

NYG WR Victor Cruz - Week 4, 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 4 at Buffalo
Victor Cruz aggravated his left calf injury when he attempted to practice on Wednesday and has been ruled out of this week's game. Cruz is currently without a timetable for his return, so fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see approach with the veteran before dropping him.

by Brandon Niles

NYG WR Victor Cruz - Week 3, 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 at Washington
Victor Cruz had upped his action in practice this week, but he still seems a long-shot to play Thursday night against Washington. Fantasy owners should hope for a possible Week 4 return.

Victor Cruz news