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Fansided

The Greatest NFL Starting Job Thefts of All Time

By Erik Lambert

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: (2nd left) Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Arizona Cardinals and (M) head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks with (R) quarterback Kurt Warner #13 as (L) quarterback Matt Leinart #7 stands behind and watches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: (2nd left) Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Arizona Cardinals and (M) head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks with (R) quarterback Kurt Warner #13 as (L) quarterback Matt Leinart #7 stands behind and watches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 06: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants celebrates with Victor Cruz #80 after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 6, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 06: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants celebrates with Victor Cruz #80 after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 6, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr. takes over for Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz was the darling of the ball for a short period of time. An undrafted free agent, he rose to prominence in 2011, going over 1,500 yards and helping the New York Giants win the Super Bowl. People were ready to start carving his bust for Canton. After another good year in 2012 though, things began to deteriorate. His play declined in 2013 and he missed two games with an injury.

This compelled the Giants to draft Odell Beckham in the 1st round in 2014. Cruz continued to suffer health setbacks that year and after getting over a hamstring issue himself, Beckham proceeded to go on the greatest run a Giants receiver has ever had. He was the unquestioned go-to guy by the end of that season and Cruz was out of the league by 2017.

His career had taken on the form of a comet. Brilliant for a brief time and then suddenly gone.

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