Cody

Core

This move saves the team $2 million in cap space. Currently rehabbing a torn Achilles’ that forced him to miss the entirety of last season, it’s still possible the Giants re-sign Core to a team-friendly deal in free agency. The organization will at the very least dodge the $500,000 roster bonus he was due on March 20.

A deep reserve wideout, Core caught three passes after being claimed off waivers from the Bengals before Week 1. His primary duties are on special teams.

Core never earned anything close to an every-down role in his time with the Bengals, although he did consistently provide special teams value. He’s expected to start the season behind the likes of at least Sterling Shepard, Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer, but Core possesses enough size (6-foot-3 and 205-pounds) and speed (4.47-second forty) to feasibly earn some reps as the WR4 sooner rather than later.

The 2016 sixth-round pick never quite emerged as anything other than a middling backup receiver during his three seasons with the Bengals. Overall, Core caught 30-of-59 targets for 360 yards and a touchdown while also providing some value on special teams. Core does boast enough size (6-foot-3 and 205-pounds) and speed (4.47-second 40-yard dash) to potentially warrant a second chance elsewhere.

Core saw an increased role with Tyler Eifert sidelined. He was highly ineffective despite leading the Bengals in targets. Core was shut down in the second half, catching just one pass for four yards. He’s not on the Week 17 DFS radar.

He actually led the team in receiving in their season finale. A sixth-round pick out of Ole Miss, Core played second fiddle to Laquon Treadwell in college but outproduced him in their NFL rookie years. As it pertains to 2017, Core projects as the Bengals’ No. 4 receiver behind A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell, and Tyler Boyd.

The sixth-round rookie made his first career catches in this one. His big play was a 50-yard deep ball down to the one-yard line, setting up Jeremy Hill’s short touchdown plunge. Core isn’t a fantasy option moving forward this season.

The Bengals entered the draft desperate for help at receiver, but Core is unlikely to be an early contributor on offense. A raw deep threat with limited ability underneath, Core will need to earn his keep on special teams as he develops.

Core (6'3/205) book ended Laquon Treadwell as a two-year starter at Ole Miss, finishing his career with 83 catches for 1,297 yards (15.6 YPR) and ten TDs. Core ranked fifth in the SEC in yards per reception (17.4) as a senior and showed his long speed with a 4.47 forty in Indy. Core’s other measurables don’t impress, however, and his route running needs a lot of work. Core was a terrific gunner early in college and may fit best in the NFL covering kicks.