If Travis Rudolph winds up making the New York Giants 53-man roster, his play against the New York Jets might be the reason why.
Travis Rudolph stepped up for the New York Giants when Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Tavarres King could not. Their absence created an opportunity for other receivers to shine, and Rudolph answered the call in the Giants 32-31 victory.
Rudolph finished the game with three receptions for a team-high 81 yards. He made the offensive play of the game for the Giants in the second quarter, with the team backed up at its own nine-yard line.
He caught a contested pass from Josh Johnson by the right hash mark, broke free and raced down the field for 57 yards. Jets second-year corner Juston Burris finally brought him down at the Jets 34-yard line.
MUST WATCH: What a catch by Rookie Travis Rudolph!!! #NYJvsNYG pic.twitter.com/FVJAX895VI
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 27, 2017
“It was just an effort play, really,’’ Rudolph told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I feel when the ball is in the air, it’s mine. So I got to go get it.’’
But getting stopped by Burris might wind up costing the first-year receiver. “I was hoping he was gonna crib it, that’s probably gonna be a fine in our room because he didn’t crib that,’’ Sterling Shepard told Schwartz.
It was imperative for the Florida State product to perform well. While he’s been impressive throughout training camp, the receiver room is crowded, and the Giants will likely keep only six on their 53-man roster.
It’s too early to say that Saturday night’s performance means Rudolph is a lock to make the team. But considering that he can also return kicks—and had the best performance of any receiver so far this preseason—he’s in a good position to make the roster.
Rudolph will get one more shot to make his case: Thursday, as the Giants play their preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
