NFL Network's Top 100 players: How many Giants belong on the list?

There are many reasons the Giants ^[1] finished 6-10 and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2015. Among them is the lack of premium talent.

It showed last year when the Giants had just one player on the NFL Network's Top 100 list. That of course was wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.^[2] Will they have more this year?

The NFLN starts unveiling its 'Top 100 Players of 2016' on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. (ET). It's likely Beckham has some Giants company this time around.

Quarterback Eli Manning could make a reappearance, even as early as Wednesday when picks 100-91 are disclosed. He was left off the list each of the past two years, but threw a career-best 35 touchdown passes in 2015. Only New England's Tom Brady threw more last season.

It's been a rocky ride for Manning in the Top 100 rankings over the years.

2010: Off
2011: Off
2012: 31
2013: 43
2014: Off
2015: Off
2016: ?

While there is some doubt with Manning (who never seems to garner the respect many think he deserves from peers), there should be none on Beckham. He was ranked 32^nd ^[3] last year following a record-smashing rookie campaign.

Giants Super Bowl odds on the rise ^[4]

Now, after crushing Randy Moss' receiving records ^[5] over his first two professional seasons, it will be interesting to see exactly how high Beckham climbs. He has clearly made some enemies along the way. Beckham's been called a prima donna, whiner and other insults ^[6] (his nemesis Josh Norman said something recently about bologna). We'll see if that affects how Beckham' s peers view his game.

The NFL Network's 'Top 100 Players of 2016' is voted on by players.

It's hard to imagine any other Giants on their roster last season aside from Beckham and Manning garner serious consideration, especially considering they were mostly irrelevant as a team. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had a strong year but he's never made the list. That's unlikely to change in 2016. Josh Brown was the Giants' only other Pro Bowl representative and, well, he's a kicker.

What to expect from rookie minicamp Giants reporter Jordan Raanan talks about three things he'll be watching closely at rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul's been honored in the past. He was 24^th in 2012 and 55^th the following year. But he had the Fourth of July weekend fireworks accident and had 1.0 sack in nine games last season. He's not going to make this year's list.

Maybe former Jets and new Giants signing Damon Harrison ^[7] can sneak into the Top 100? He may be the best interior run stuffer in the NFL. Then again, run-stuffing defensive tackle isn't a glamorous position. Harrison didn't make the Pro Bowl. He has an outside shot at the Top 100, but is a way more likely omission.

The Giants' other prized free-agent acquisitions – defensive end Olivier Vernon and Janoris Jenkins – were solid performers last season, but probably didn't do enough to attract the attention of players around the league while stuck on bad teams.

Justin Tuck set to retire a Giant ^[8]

Giants center Weston Richburg and guard Justin Pugh could be candidates down the road, but still have something to prove in order to be considered among the league's top players. Maybe in 2017.

This year the magic number for the Giants is likely going to be two. But hey, at least it's an improvement from last year.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com ^[9]. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan ^[10]. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook ^[11].