Every year I try to go through the first few rounds of the draft and pick the guys I think/want the Giants should grab. I did my analysis using many different sites including, but not limited to, CBSports, Draftcountdown, footballsfuture, and walterfootball. Here are my thoughts for the 2012 draft.
1) Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State - 6'5", 303lbs
Large frame, quick of the snap, the ability to get past lineman, and the ability to clog up the middle. What more could you as for in a defensive tackle? Reminds me a lot of fellow Penn Stater Jay Alford only with a larger upper body. The only real knock on him is that he is inconsistent with his get-off on the snap (from a lack of technique), but that can be easily coached. Would be an excellent person to have in the rotation with Linval, Canty, and Austin, and would be a potential replacement for Canty as early as 2013 if Cantys cap number becomes too much of a hinderance
2) Kelechi Osemele, Offensive Guard, Iowa State - 6'6", 333lbs
I cant help but salivate every time I read a scouting reporting of Osemele. Dude is an animal. Reminds me a lot of Carl Nicks (now with the Bucs) in terms of sides and ability to finish his blocks. He played all over the line in college, including left tackle. I see Osemele being our RT or LG for the next 10 years. The only reason I would project him more towards RT is we ask our LG to pull a ton, and pulling is probably Osemeles only weakness.
3) Cyrus Gray, Running Back, Texas A& M 510, 206lbs
Has all the tools to thrive in the Giants offense. Extremely quick feet. Can change direction in an instant. Sub 4.5 40 time. Runs behind his pads and though not a big back, he runs with power. Excellent pass blocker and receiver out of the backfield. Experience as a kick returner. Biggest knock on Gray is that sometimes he is overly patient and does not immediately accelerate through the hole. The acceleration is there, he just needs to learn to trust what he sees.
4a) Omar Bolden, Cornerback, Arizona State 510, 202lbs
Coming into the year, Bolden was rated as one of the top CBs in the country. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in Spring practices. Bolden was able to run at ASUs pro day and clocked around 4.45 in the 40 less than a year removed from his ACL injury. Bolden is a classic cover corner that can stay with the quick receivers. He can press most guys, but he isnt the biggest corner however he can still be physical with larger WRs. Great read and react ball skills Reads the QB and can break on the ball in an instant has the hands to make the INT once he gets there. Solid tackler and punt returner. Would be a great value for the Giants here, and having 4-5 starting caliber CBs is pretty much a must in the pass driven NFL.
4b) Travis Lewis, Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma 61, 246lbs
My favorite run and chase linebacker in the draft. We saw last year how valuable Michael Boley was, and it was clear that we didnt have a backup capable of filling in for him. Lewis is extremely fluid in pass protection and posses safety-like skills when dropping into a zone. He is so quick that he can stay with pretty much any Tight End and a fair amount of WRs. Creates turnovers. Not overly physical against the run, but has the ability to shoot the gaps and disrupt plays. Could even see the field as a 3rd "safety" in the big nickel package. My favorite quote that I read about him is regarding his read and react skills: Combines very good instincts with above-average reaction skills. Almost always finds the ball in traffic. Greet feel in coverage, sees quarterback and receiver, jumps routes to prevent completion, or at least stop yards after the catch. One-man wrecking crew against screens because he sniffs them out and has the quickness to grab the receiver. Chad Reuter
5) Tommy Streeter, Wide Receiver, Miami 64, 215lbs
Giants need to find another big body that can stretch the field. Streeter has a good chance of being that guy. At 64, Streeter is a burner, but also isnt scared to go across the middle of the field. Put up decent numbers, but his production was limited to sub-par quarterback play. Could instantly challenge Jernigan, Hixon and Barden for spot in 3 or 4 WR formations
Appreciate any and all feedback!
Couple questions I have are:
Is Cyrus Gray value in Round 3...it's borderline imo and I like his game. I've been targeting him in Round 4 for some weeks now and I think he could be gotten there.
Travis Lewis...your contention that we don't have another guy that can run with TE's etc I can't agree with. In fact with J Williams that is exactly what we have imo. I think I'd be looking at guys that can play S or MLB in this spot. Our D still needs strengthening up the middle imo.
I would rather have Brandon Thompson than Still if we go DT in the first.
Osemele almost certainly won't be available in the second, but I suppose it's possible.
I would rather have Childs than Streeter.
I love the guard. We won this year on the strength of our wide recievers and quarterback but that shouldn't fool people. We need to get better up front. This guy should come in and start from day one at left guard and our rebuilding of the line will continue (Baas/Beatty last year, KO this year, Brewer next).
We need to add talent at running back and I think the third round is the absolute latest we can go this year.
The rest is ok. I don't watch much college football so I can't comment but just love that you understand that we don't need to go high for a wide receiver but you do get one that may compete in a year or two.
So who would you predict wins the #3tackle this year - Austin or Still? I'd really like to take it easy with Austin as we can't afford him to have another set back. He doesn't need to play this year (consider it like Joseph's rookie year) but he needs to get in as much practice work as possible.
I actually don't like the Osemele pick at all. Don't think he's good enough to stay outside and doesn't fit what he do as a guard.
Can't really argue with the value of Lewis in 4 even though I'd be surprised if we go OLB in the first 4 rounds.
Love the Streeter pick. Some think he'll have a hard time getting off the line, I disagree. I think he'll be a pretty good weapon and good value in 4.
1.osemele
2..trumaine johnson..love this guys athletic ability
3..juron criner
3..robert turbin
4..marcus forston or dajohn harris
4 josh kaddu or johnathan massaquoi
5. dante paige moss a risk but very talented defensive end
6..akiem hicks
7..rhett ellison
jlukes : 11:06 am
...ever?
I'm not positive, though, that Osemele can play RT, and he doesn't really fit our profile for a pulling LG.
Like Bradham > Lewis
nice comments by bob in tx
think top efforts in BBI mocks
are (chronological order)
CM
shocktheworld
jlukes
good work gentlemen
Two WR's but zero TE's????
I'd be very happy with Osemele, he's one of those players who you just don't know whether he's a 1st, 2nd or 3rd round pick, but footwork is my only concern with him.
I'm not a Cyrus Gray fan at all. I've watched him live a lot the past 2 years, and he didn't exactly live up to expectations. I don't know if there was an injury this year, but he was surpassed on the depth chart by Michael Christine until he got hurt, both last year and this year, and I didn't see the toughness in his game that I hear about. Just my .02 cents.
I would love Travis Lewis, I think he would be an outstanding pick in almost any round.
Bolden, I don't love his ball skills, but he does have good speed, and he's looks like an excellent special teams player. I know the Giants showed some interest the past few weeks, but I'm not a big fan (though I trust the Giants scouts unconditionally more than me).
If Streeter is available in the 5th round, that would be a major steal. I would love to see that.
I could be very wrong about Gray, that's just my opinion, from the games I watched.
I know their history doesn't suggest it, but I'd love to see the Giants draft a running back in round 1. There seems to be a lot of talented backs at the top of this draft.
However, the more I read, i saw there was (like you had mentioned) a lot of variability on where Osemele could go, so I put him at our 2nd pick and went with the draft you see above.
As for your prior handle comment, I have no comment and won't dignify it with a denial.
Jlukes, it's interesting, because as good as this running back class looks, there aren't exactly a lot of bruisers available. There seems to be a lot of running backs similar to Bradshaw, which isn't a bad thing, it just seems sort of not Giant like.
Hard to figure JR anyway, but I see RB, WR, and OL (BPA of course) as the bigger concerns.
I could see OL if Konz or Glenn drop.
I can agree with your thought process, but think DT in the 4th rd makes more sense (IMO) if your are looking to next year for cuts.
Overall the mock is good.
Link - ( New Window )
1.Blackmon
2.Kuechley
ETC....
Very unrealstic draft, as the potential for all of your selections to NOT be available at said picks is far greater them all to be available.
Osemele - Mid 2nd to Early 3rd
Gray - Mid to late 3rd
Bolden - Early 4th to late 4th
Lewis - Early 5th to mid 6th
so how exactly is my mock unrealistic again?
good work !!!
Like WR Randle. Smooth, athletic, acceleration off the LOS. Belive he can win isolation routes on outside as "x". Similarities to H. Nicks.
Greg Cosell @gregcosell
No WR in this draft as good as A. Johnson or C. Johnson when they came out. Blackmon/Floyd not in that category. Randle intrigues me most.