The Giants made one of the more compelling wideout selections when they took Sterling Shepard in the second round last week. A few rounds later they took another intriguing one in Paul Perkins, a running back out of UCLA.

It's rookie minicamp weekend for the Giants and many other teams, and both players will be making their first impressions. Shepard has the value of being a second-round pick and seemingly a mortal lock to be a top-3 wideout in New York. The Giants have only Victor Cruz, injured all of last season, behind Odell Beckham Jr., and if he can't get or stay healthy, Shepard will have little choice but to receive major snaps.

The roster is more crowded at running back, plus Perkins is just a fifth-round pick, but let's see. The Giants call Perkins a "complete back," indicating he has three-down potential, and the backs ahead of him all have flaws. Rashad Jennings is 31. Shane Vereen is a passing-downs back. Andre Williams (career 3.2 yards per carry) can't play. Orleans Darkwa got some midseason hype last year but didn't take advantage/get enough opportunity.

Not that the team will use Perkins in a three-down capacity -- especially not with Vereen around -- but the down-the-road potential is there. He's UCLA's all-time leader in receptions by a running back.

Fantasy season is a long way away for most, but this weekend is the chance for first reports on a lot of these rookies. The next Alfred Morris or Thomas Rawls could make the news this weekend.

--Andy Richardson