First-round draft picks, especially skill players, always face high expectations as rookies.
In due time, we'll see with Odell Beckham Jr., who last week became the fifth wide receiver drafted by the Giants in the first round since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Giants.com has taken a look at how past first-round receivers fared in their rookie seasons for Big Blue as well as around the NFL.
If you go by league averages over the past five seasons, Beckham could be looking at around 40 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns. However, remember that every player, every team, and every year are separate cases.
First-round wide receivers for Giants since 1970 AFL-NFL merger
2013 (12th overall pick): Odell Beckham, LSU
Rookie season: TBD
Giants career: TBD
2009 (29th): Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
Rookie season: 14 G, 6 GS, 47 REC, 790 YDS (16.8 AVG), 6 TD
Giants career (2009-2013): 70 G, 311 REC, 4,622 YDS, 27 TD, 9th all-time in receiving yards and catches
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Photos from wide receiver Ike Hilliard's career with the Giants
1997 (7th): Ike Hilliard, Florida**
Rookie season: 2 G, 2 GS, 2 REC, 42 YDS (21.0 AVG), 0 TD
Giants career (1997-2004): 98 G, 368 REC, 4,630 YDS, 27 TD, 5th all-time in catches
1994 (24th): Thomas Lewis, Indiana
Rookie season: 9 G, 0 GS, 4 REC, 46 (11.5 AVG), 0 TD
Giants career (1994-1997): 34 G, 74 REC, 1,032 YDS, 5 TD
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1987 (28th): Mark Ingram, Michigan State
**Rookie season: 9 G, 2 REC, 32 YDS (18.0 AVG), 0 TD
Giants career (1987-1992): 76 G, 136 REC, 2,211 YDS, 11 TD, 25th all-time in receiving yards
As far as the rest of the NFL is concerned, here is a look at the past five years of first-round receivers and their rookie campaigns:
Average receptions:43.3
Average yards: 592.2
Average touchdowns: 3.7
