EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Odell Beckham Jr. still can’t believe he wound up right where he wanted.
The Giants took him their first-round pick in the draft, reuniting him with LSU teammate Rueben Randle.
Beckham also attended the same New Orleans high school as Eli Manning, Isidore Newman.
“I used to go to the Manning camp my sophomore and junior year of high school,” Beckham said. “When I was in school, just being able to throw with two legendary quarterbacks was unbelievable,” Beckham said. “Eli was able to put the ball right in my hands. Now, he’ll get to do it again.”
Although Beckham and Randle could compete for playing time at wide receiver, Beckham is appreciative of his relationship with Randle.
“He’s been great,” Beckham said. “He’s teaching me things now, like he did at LSU. He’s like my personal tutor, teaching me the things he knows. I’ve been able to hang out with him again and rekindle our relationship.”
Fellow rookie Andre Williams, the team’s fourth round pick out of Boston College, was also eager to fit in right away.
“The draft has now come and gone,” said Williams, who led the nation in rushing last year for Boston College with 2,177 yards, but dropped to the fourth round, where the Giants were overjoyed to get him. “I’m just glad I ended up here. I grew up in New Jersey and live in Pennsylvania, so this is like coming back home.”
Williams is trying to learn the different schemes of the Giants’ new West Coast offense under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. He knows that he’s in a fight for playing time with incumbent David Wilson, the former first rounder who is trying to recover from offseason neck surgery, and newcomer Rashad Jennings, who signed with the Giants as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders.
“I can’t say how the coaches are going to use the three-headed monster,” Williams said. “Each running back brings special things to the table. I’m just excited for the chance. I think I’m coming in with a clean slate and I have to prove myself.”
Undrafted free agent tight end Xavier Grimble was a standout at Southern California, but missed some playing time last year and decided to enter the draft.
Grimble said the Giants showed the most interest in him, so he signed with them.
“The Giants showed a lot of interest from the beginning, so I’m glad I ended up here,” Grimble said. “They were the first team to call. It was kind of a no-brainer, actually. I’m happy to get the opportunity.”
Grimble then went and did some research on his new team and found a player to watch - former All-Pro tight end Mark Bavaro, who wore No. 89 during his days with the Giants. It’s the same number that Grimble was issued.
“I heard his name and wanted to know more about him,” Grimble said. “So I went to my computer and read a few biographies and saw some film. It was cool to see. He was a great player.”
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