EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – As the regular season approaches and the Giants prepare for their final preseason game against the Patriots on Thursday night, ESPN.com recently released their projected top 100 players for the 2018 season. The Giants landed three players on the list: wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., safety Landon Collins and running back Saquon Barkley.
The methodology in composing the list: a panel of ESPN NFL experts was asked to rate players based on how good they will be in 2018, using a scale from 0-100. The panel was asked not to emphasize past performance or positional value, but to only use projected greatness for this season. The ratings were then averaged out to create the list.
Beckham came in at 11. In 2017, he was ranked ninth. Here's what ESPN's Jordan Raanan said about OBJ:
"He's still just 25, and his rate of 0.8 touchdowns per game is tops since entering the league in 2014. The ankle injury that ruined his 2017 season isn't expected to have any long-term effects, as he already looks like his old explosive self."
Beckham was the first player in NFL history to record at least 80 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. He was the only player in history with at least 80 receptions and 10 touchdown catches in each of his first three seasons.
Throughout training camp, OBJ has looked like he was never hurt. He's exploding off the line, he's making great catches, and he looks just as fast, maybe faster, than he did prior to his injury. With a new contract in hand, Year Five of Beckham's career looks very promising.
View photos of the top Odell Beckham Jr. touchdowns
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) touchdown during the NFL regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 21-20. (Ric Tapia via AP)
FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2014, file photo, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. Beckham says he has seen replays of last year's astonishing one-handed catch over Carr "maybe once or twice," and he is sticking with that number despite obvious skepticism. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) runs away form Baltimore Ravens' Anthony Levine (41), Lardarius Webb (21) and Will Davis (31) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Odell Beckham (13) runs past Dallas Cowboys' Barry Church (42) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Washington Redskins cornerback Will Blackmon (41) chases him during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) waves his arms signaling touchdown after catching a third quarter touchdown pass initially ruled out of bounds, later reversed upon review, tying the score at 24-24 during the NFL week 14 regular season football game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Giants won the game 31-24. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) dances after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football gam against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) comes down with a catch for a touchdown against Washington Redskins free safety E.J. Biggers (30) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants' Odell Beckham (13) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Washington Redskins' Bashaud Breeland (26) during the second half an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants' Odell Beckham (13) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a touchdown catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
FILE - In this Dec. 14, 2015, file photo, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football gam against the Miami Dolphins, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The 13-0 Panthers take on the New York Giants on Sunday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
December 18, 2016, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, (13) reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown during the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 17-6. Christopher Szagola/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football gam against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) makes a touchdown catch during a week 10 NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 14, 2016 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
El wide receiver Odell Beckham (13), de los Giants de Nueva York, deja atrás al cornerback Joe Haden (23), de los Browns de Cleveland, en jugada de touchdown en la primera mitad del partido de NFL del domingo 27 de noviembre de 2016, en Cleveland. (AP Foto/Ron Schwane)
FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2014, file photo, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. Beckham's phenomenal three-fingered touchdown catch while falling backward into the end zone against Dallas can't be topped. "When I'm standing on the sidelines, I'm rooting for him all the way," coach Tom Coughlin said. "When I get to Monday, sometimes I run it back an extra time." (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) runs away from New York Jets' Marcus Gilchrist (21) and Antonio Cromartie (31) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) celebrates as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday Nov. 15, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a one handed touchdown catch during a week 12 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on November 29, 2015 in Landover, Maryland ( Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) is chased by a host of Atlanta Falcons players on his way to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) reacts after making a one-handed catch for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham scores on a touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Manning against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a one handed touchdown catch during a week 12 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on November 29, 2015 in Landover, Maryland ( Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) catches a touchdown pass while being covered by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during a week 15 NFL football game on December 20, 2015 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) makes a touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford defends on the play during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) runs away from Baltimore Ravens' Anthony Levine (41) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 27-23. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2015, file photo, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) celebrates his touchdown reception during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. The Giants face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 3. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman, File)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) catches a touch down pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) breaks free for a touchdown reception in action against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday November 6, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Next on the list is Collins, who landed at 60. Last year, he was ranked at 29.
"The Alabama product is a playmaker," said Raanan. "No safety has more tackles than Collins' 332 since 2015. He's also fifth at the position with eight interceptions. Collins should excel while being used as a defensive weapon in James Bettcher's attacking scheme in 2018."
Collins is a two-time Pro-Bowler and a 2016 first-team All-Pro. Not only did he lead the team in tackles in each of his first three three seasons, he is the only safety in Giants history with three seasons of 95+ tackles.
Collins finished last season with an injury, but has looked as good as new throughout training camp. A defensive leader, he has been flying around and making plays. Another big season is in the making for Collins.
The final Giant on the list is rookie running back Saquon Barkley at 87.
"The rookie No. 2 overall pick is immediately going to be a big part of the Giants' offense," Raanan said. "He has 4.4 speed at 230 pounds, and he averaged 1.90 yards per route at Penn State, which ranked fourth among running backs in the 2018 class."
Barkley finished his career at Penn State with 671 rushing attempts for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns. He also had 102 receptions for 1,195 yards and eight scores. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Barkley finished as Penn State's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (43), total touchdowns (53) and all-purpose yards (5,538).
Although he missed time with a strained hamstring, Barkley has been impressive in his first training camp. He went 39 yards on his first NFL carry against the Browns. Not only is he a threat running the ball, he will create problems for defenses in the passing game, as well.
