With the signing of free agent Dwayne Harris this week, the Giants added one of the most accomplished returners currently in the game.
Over the past three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Harris ranked fifth in the NFL in punt return yards (885), second in punt return average (12.3) and broke two punt returns for touchdowns. On kickoffs, he ranked eighth in the NFL in that same span in return yards (1,809) and 12th in average (26.2).
Used sparingly as a wide receiver in Dallas -- he had 33 receptions for 418 yards and three touchdowns in four seasons -- Harris will try to take the Giants' return game to the next level. The Giants finished 18th in kickoff return average and 19th on punt returns last season, up from 27th and 26th in 2013, respectively.
Here is a look at the Giants' return specialists currently on the roster:
WR Dwayne Harris
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 202 | Age: 27 | College: East Carolina
Experience: 5th season
Kickoffs: Yes
Punts: Yes
Harris has two punt returns for touchdowns: 78 yards in 2012 vs. Philadelphia and 86 in 2013 vs. Washington. His long kickoff return is 90 yards against Washington in the same 2013 game that he had the 86-yard punt return touchdown.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 198 | Age: 22 | College: LSU
Experience: 2nd season
Kickoffs: No
Punts: Yes
While exploding onto the scene as a wide receiver and becoming the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Beckham returned the majority of punts for the Giants last season. He averaged 8.1 yards on 21 attempts, which ranked 15th in the NFL. His long was 25 yards.
RB Michael Cox
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 222 | Age: 26 | College: Massachusetts
Experience: 3rd season
Kickoffs: Yes
Punts: No
Before last year when he played only four games and ended the season on injured reserve with a fractured leg, Cox led the Giants in kickoff returns and yards in 2013 with a long of 56 yards.
WR Preston Parker
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200 | Age: 28 | College: North Alabama
Experience: 4th season
Kickoffs: Yes
Punts: No
In his first season with the Giants last year, Parker led the team in kickoff returns (21), yards (509) and average (24.2) with a long of 45 yards. He also returned eight punts for 53 yards (6.6) with a long of 18 yards.
WR Rueben Randle
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 208 | Age: 23 | College: LSU
Experience: 4th season
Kickoff: No
Punts: Yes
In 2014, Randle had 10 fair catches but no returns. Over his three years with the Giants, Randle has returned 44 punts for 345 yards (7.8) with a long of 32 yards. He also has 49 fair catches.
