Victor Cruz: from undrafted to All-Pro to free agent

He took advantage of the opportunity that he was given by dominating the preseason schedule. In a game against the New York Jets, he recorded 6 catches for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns. He led the league in receiving yards during the 2010 preseason, earning himself a roster spot.UMass being far from a powerhouse college football institution, however, those numbers did not get Cruz drafted in 2010. It did get him a tryout with the New York Giants, which would turn out to be all he needed.Victor Cruz, a native of Paterson, NJ, had a marginally successful college career at the University of Massachusetts, where he finished fourth all-time on the school's career receptions list. View the list »
Victor Cruz

General Sports newsletter

The York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has made a name for himself with the New York Giants over the past three seasons, playing a big role in bringing a fourth Super Bowl trophy to the franchise at the end of the 2011 season.

Related topics

Advertisement

He has set franchise records and made Pro Bowl and All-Pro team squads. Yet he was not even thought of enough to be drafted coming out of the 2010 draft class. He made the most of his opportunities in his first preseason, then put a stranglehold on a starting receiver spot this season.

Now he is a restricted free agent, and the Giants find themselves in the same situation with Cruz as the Pittsburgh Steelers did with Mike Wallace last year. Will the results be different? Can the Giants work out a long-term deal with their most lucrative offensive weapon? Check out the list to see how the team found themselves in this situation.

View the list
  • Victor Cruz, a native of Paterson, NJ, had a marginally successful college career at the University of Massachusetts, where he finished fourth all-time on the school's career receptions list. 
  • UMass being far from a powerhouse college football institution, however, those numbers did not get Cruz drafted in 2010. It did get him a tryout with the New York Giants, which would turn out to be all he needed.
  • He took advantage of the opportunity that he was given by dominating the preseason schedule. In a game against the New York Jets, he recorded 6 catches for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns. He led the league in receiving yards during the 2010 preseason, earning himself a roster spot.
  • Though he missed most of his rookie season due to injury, he came back with a vengeance in his second year. He broke team records en route to an 82 reception, 1536 yard, 9 touchdown season, at the end of which he was named an All-Pro. Not to mention a Super Bowl champion.
  • Though the Giants missed the playoffs this season, Cruz still had a strong season that landed him in the Pro Bowl once again. He recorded 86 receptions, nearly 1100 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Although he now technically finds himself a free agent, he is a restricted free agent, meaning the Giants can match any contract that he is offered. They can also tender him, which would force any team that signs him to forfeit a first round draft pick.
View the list

, Newark Football Examiner

Having grown up in New Jersey, Matt has naturally been around Giants and Jets football his entire life. But at a young age, he also found an affinity for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and as he got older, his fondness for the game itself grew beyond rooting for certain teams. Although the NFL season...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...