2013 NFL Draft - NYG Review and What I Would Have Done

Guys-

Every year I like to make my own picks for the Giants in real time and compare the two a few years down the road. I mixed it in with my thoughts on what Reese/Ross actually did as well.

I make these picks in real time...meaning once the Giants are on the clock, I write the name down, and thats it. I do not go back and alter the selection based on what happens after the Giants pick. You'll see an example of that in round 3...where I ended up taking a guy that went undrafted! Ouch.

In all seriousness...this is an evaluation process that will play out for a few years. Thanks again for contributing to all of the draft work we've put put there. Its a lot of fun and its something I love to do.

Go Giants.



***********


Round 1 - #19 Overall:

Justin Pugh – OT/Syracuse- 6’4/307

Very athletic in space. Can get out in front of a back and run like a tight end. Great balance and light, active feet. Comfortable against speed and quickness. Effective pass blocker, can mirror and anchor. Flexible lower half that allows him to bend while maintaining power. Doesn’t punch well. Needs bulk and added strength, especially to his upper body. Timing is off when up against a power defender. Lunges too much and loses track of his mechanics. Won’t move guys off the point of attack.

Prior to the draft, many assumed the Giants would go after an offensive lineman early. Pugh was not a guy discussed very often but it was a selection that makes perfect sense. On a few occasions during the film study, I jotted down that Pugh would be a nice fit inside for teams that like to move their guards laterally. Pugh is a big time presence in space because he maintains athleticism, power, and balance when going after linebackers. He can physically dominate there and those are the kind of blocks that create big runs. My main issue, however, is Pugh lacked a true power presence inside against stronger players. He has some room for growth but in terms of immediate contribution, I see Pugh as versatile the sixth lineman in 2013 that can back up multiple spots.

There is a lot of value there with that kind of role. He is the kind of guy that loves this game, will work his tail off. Combine that with the talent that is already there, and the Giants have themselves a reliable guy for the future that can start for years. When considering that, one cannot look down on the selection at this point. Do I think he will end up being an All-Pro? No. But that’s not always the point of drafting a first round player.

Who I Would Have Picked:

Datone Jones – DE/UCLA – 6’4/283

Incredibly strong hands that can control and shed. Exerts power from his base and delivers a violent punch that jolts the blocker. Versatile. Can play multiple spots, multiple roles along the front line. Played in the 3-4 and 4-3 scheme. Surprising quickness and speed off the edge. Smart player after the snap that reads blocks well. Follows the action and gets in on a lot of plays. Not a true edge rusher that will beat blockers to the edge. May need to play an inside role to be effective. A little slow to pursue in space. Plays too high at times, taking away power advantages.

Going in to the weekend, I had a pretty good feeling Jones was most likely going to be my target at #19 overall. He was my top graded defensive player when the Giants were on the clock. I feel the value of a guy that can control multiple gaps as a run defender as well as make things happen behind the line of scrimmage was what this defensive line needed. Jones is just scratching the surface of his NFL potential. He is not the traditional edge rusher that can sprint by tackles, thus I feel some downgrade him a bit. He’s a guy that is simply tough to block for one man alone. His quickness after engagement with his hands and feet get him free from the power guys. His strength and presence is too much to handle for the speed/quickness blockers. There is a lot you can do with Jones and this defense loves to move their weapons around to exploit those matchup problems.

He won’t be the guy a blows up the stat sheet but will make an entire front seven more effective. That blue collar approach would have been a welcomed addition to this unspectacular line. Looking at the depth chart pre-draft, there were just too many question marks when considering the level of play in the trenches against the run and pass. No team is perfect but if there is one group that should have more than enough options and versatility, it is the defensive line. I’ve always believed that, always will.


Round 2 - #49 Overall

Johnathan Hankins – DT/Ohio State – 6’3/320

Huge frame that moves exceptionally well within the tackle box. Light feet, easy mover. Has an elite burst within a 5 yard window. Strong hands that can get off a single blocker consistently Can fire out low and strong when he has his wind. Will consistently hold his ground against the double team. Shows promise as a well rounded run defender that can eat blocks and make plays. Not well conditioned. Tires way too fast and will lose his presence quickly. Not much of a pass rusher. Lacks the moves and quick hands. Might be a two/three play at a time guy. May never factor as a pss rusher.

Hankins was considered one of the top 10 prospects in the nation during the early part of the 2012 season. I watched him a lot and never came away with the notion that he was a dominant player. He does pass the initial eye test of size, power, and quickness. I’m sure he played at north of 320 pounds during the season, yet was constantly getting off the ball and in to the blocker before they were set up. That is a critical attribute when looking for a good player inside. Hankins has the tools to be an effective player in the NFL. I noticed that the Ohio State scheme moved him all over the line. He would line up at nose tackle, three and five technique, and even outside the tight end at times. While I’m sure it helped their defense, I think it took away from Hankins’ grade as a defensive tackle prospect. He is not a guy that can stay on the field for long, especially lining up outside and pursuing across the tackle box. That’s not his game. He is much better suited to play between the B gaps and man the inside lanes.

Hankins will be a very good run defender that keeps linebackers clean and makes the athletic play behind the line of scrimmage when single teamed. I think he will contribute immediately and it gives this position a great deal of security for the next few years. This acquisition creates a huge sense of intra-team competition for roster spots. The Giants have a deep group of established players inside that have had success. Combine that with some young and able bodies, and we’re looking at a potentially dominant defensive line.

Who I Would Have Picked:

Jamar Taylor – CB/Boise State – 5’11/192

Explosive, physical cover man that can run with anyone downfield. Elite press corner that is strong at the point of attack. Alters the timing of short routes with his ability to jam a receiver. Good reaction skills and timing once the ball is in the air. Anticipates well, quick thinker. Aggressive against the run that will throw his hat in to the action without hesitation. Average tackler in space, needs to slow down if he is going to make a tackle. Can be too aggressive at times, very susceptible to double moves. Had a very hands on approach which won’t fly in the NFL.

Taylor was graded as a first round player on my sheet. He is a fast corner with enough size that does everything well. There is always room for this kind of player in a secondary. His workout times are great but they are more than numbers, his athletic tools translate to the game tapes. He is one of the most aggressive and physical press corners in this class. He understands technique and timing which I really don’t see much when scouting college corners outside of the top tier guys. His presence as an outside run defender is the icing on the cake, he really is a complete corner.

The Giants wanted to beef up their front, which is more than fine with me. But this was a value that I had a hard time passing on because there are too many things that Taylor excels at to look past. The Giants cornerbacks are more than OK for 2013, but there is a scary amount of instability when looking at the younger talent. As we saw last season, cornerback is a position you want to have plenty of depth at. Taylor is a guy that will contribute right away and could easily be starting in this secondary in 2014. In terms of what he brings to a team this year, I see him being a valuable special teamer with his ability to get downfield in a hurry and tackle. And his tool set would get him on the field in specific passing situations in nickel/dime packages.

Round 3 – Pick #81

DaMontre Moore – DE/Texas A& M – 6’4/250

Long athlete that needs bulk before he can handle the power of NFL blockers. Has the frame for more weight. Young prospect that still has plenty years of growth left. All out hustler play-to-play that will go hard through the whistle. Good first step off the snap that pursues well. Makes plenty of tackles far away from his starting point. Can run down ball carriers from behind. Lacks a power presence against stronger blockers. Does not have pass rush moves. Won’t beat guys one on one as often as you’d think based on his numbers. Not sure his success translates well to the next level.

Moore rarely went a game without making some sort of big play. He gets in to the opposing backfield consistently and will bring down the ball carrier, plain and simple. How he gets there could be a good or bad thing, however. Moore doesn’t beat quality blockers at the point of attack. He doesn’t get off blocks with refined moves, hand placement, or quickness. Moore will make his plays based on hustle and a relentless approach to every snap. The optimist will say that kind of attitude cannot be taught, but the technique and strength can be acquired in time. The pessimist can rightfully say that Moore doesn’t have the tool set to beat NFL linemen and tight ends.

Pro football is a man’s game and the difference in power/strength/size from what he was seeing in college cannot be looked past. Moore will need to put forth a great deal of effort for a year or two prior to becoming a factor in this Giants defense. He can be a productive but unspectacular asset to this defense if he spends countless hours on the fine details of the position. Hustle will always help on any level of football, but a player will need much more than that if he wants to succeed in the NFL. He will have time to learn and refine his technique, but his number may be called early on. The Giants have three quality ends but the health of Tuck is up in the air week to week. Plus, this defense thrives when they have a solid 4 man rotation outside. I think Moore will get his 10-15 snaps per game early on.

Who I Would Have Picked:

Alvin Bailey – G/Arkansas – 6’3/312

Has played left and right guard. Big time physical presence that can move players as a run blocker. Engulfs defenders and will control the engagement consistently. Very long arms. Well developed frame that can hold a lot of weight. Maintains balance and strength when moving laterally, effective stretch blocker. Bends at the knees, rarely caught leaning. Started every game of his career and visibly improved each year. Pass blocking was up and down in 2012. Technique isn’t clean yet, loses track of hand placement and feet will get stationary. Slow reaction to the inside stunts and blitzes.

Boy did I miss on this selection. Bailey ended up going undrafted and was picked up by the Seahawks as a priority free agent. It appears I have a much brighter outlook on his career potential than everyone in the league, and that’s being kind. I will hold on to what I think about this kid, however. Bailey has been used on both sides of the ball and has some experience at RT as well. While his greatest attribute is within tight space moving north/south, he showed on tape that he can get out in front and maintain that balance and strength in the open field. I think the upside of his career is up there with any guard in this entire class. His struggles against the quick stunts and blitzes are a result of sub-par footwork and technique. He tries to overpower everyone with his punch rather than use his feet.

With that said, his issues are not a result of physical limitation. Bailey has the athletic ability to be molded in to a starting offensive lineman in the league. He has a specific gathering of physical gifts that can lead to big time success. This is the kind of power presence that the Giants need to acquire for the interior of their offensive line. In the games I saw their offense struggle to get off the ground, there was an obvious disadvantage inside against power defenders. They were getting blown off the ball and lost control of the point of attack. That simply cannot happen. The future of the guards don’t give me a sense of confidence, thus I wanted to bring in a player with a high ceiling that can take a year or two to develop.

Round 4 – Pick #110

Ryan Nassib – QB/Syracuse – 6’2/227

Strong kid with presence in the pocket. Tough minded and will remain in the that way amongst pressure. Well acclimated to reading defenses and making adjustments for both skill positions and linemen pre-snap. Goes through progressions quickly and is a quick thinker, reacts fast. Above average arm strength. Throws a tight spiral downfield. Athletic and tough runner that can pull it down and break off a large gain when the window is there. Lofts the ball too much when throwing deep. Feet need to be worked on post-delivery. Top heavy thrower, needs to use his hips more.

The trade up was not a surprising move because there were some great day two talents available at the top of round four. Whom they actually selected raised a few eyebrows but again, it was a very understandable acquisition. Nassib was graded highly on their board and even though the starting quarterback position is locked up for at least the next few years, he can pay the team enormous dividends a few different ways.

First, he can provide quality depth at the most vital position in the game. We see it every year; a team loses their starting quarterback to an injury and the wheels fall off, season over. Giants fans don’t need to think too far back to remember just how much a backup signal caller can do for a team. Second, Nassib could fetch the team a future draft pick or two if he shines during the preseason action. Teams that are looking for a franchise quarterback will sometimes opt for a young player that’s established at least a little bit of success at the pro level, even if its just preseason, rather than looking to a kid coming out of college. Third, Nassib could potentially be the next starting quarterback of the New York Giants. It may not be for a few years, but it remains a possibility as long as he is on this roster. Getting this much value from any of those avenues from a 4th round pick would be considered a success when looking back at this years from now.

Who I Would Have Picked

Shamarko Thomas – S – Syracuse

One of the biggest hitters in the nation. A brick house that brings a presence to every tackle he makes. Intimidator over the middle that makes an impact on receivers that cross it. Elite speed in coverage and pursuit. Moves at such a rapid pace but shows nice balance and body control. Processes his reads well and shows instinctive movement. Plays a reckless style and will over pursue. Needs to slow down sometimes. Not a consistent tackler, fails to wrap up. Ball skills are average in traffic, won’t get his hands on a lot of passes. Run defender that can be exposed in zone coverage.

I really thought this was going to be the target of Jerry Reese when I saw they were trading up. Thomas presented outstanding value in round 4. I understand he lacks the ideal size of your typical enforcer over the middle, but I think he is going to be a star. He graded out very high on my sheet even though I bumped him down because of the concussion history.

Thomas is the kind of player that raises the level of those around him. He is a game changer. The defender that will deliver those physical hits that ball carriers remember and raise the intensity of an entire team. The athletic skills he shows on tape would be a boost to the secondary that was outmatched far too often last season. He can run with anybody and has shown the ability to make plays on the ball among receivers that are much bigger than him. The lack of height would not be a glaring issue play to play. A future of him and Stevie Brown in the middle of the secondary would give a sense of security to what has been a roller coaster part of the defense for years.

Round 5 - Pick #152

Cooper Taylor – S/Richmond – 6’4/228

Big frame that carries a lot of good weight. Flexible and agile mover in space that can close a 10 yard window real fast. Efficient movement in space as a cover man. Minimal wasted steps. Decisive and usually makes the right decisions. Smart player that gets in or near the action consistently. Has straight line speed. Lacks acceleration in deep coverage. Will fail to wrap up too often. Leaves his feet too soon when attacking the ball in the air. Didn’t stand out against lower level of competition.

I can understand the selection here. The Giants like to use late picks on guys with above average measurables and strong work ethics. Combine those two attributes with good coaching and it hopefully results in a starting caliber player. Taylor is going to have a very specific role within this defense. He will, eventually, compete for playing time as the team’s third safety in specific packages. This is the kind of player that the league is trying to find in an effort to help offset the abundance of receiving tight ends and running quarterbacks.

He is a physical player that can explode downhill and make big hits with some extra physical presence. Sounds like a special teamer to me. I think Taylor’s value will end up being exactly that, which is fine when drafting on day 3. I only saw one game of his and the East/West Shrine game week, so my view of him could be considered on the “incomplete” side. But with what I have seen, he is a nice straight line athlete that plays smart and strong. However I don’t see him being a guy that makes a difference against NFL offenses.

Who I Would Have Picked:

DeVonte Holloman – LB/South Carolina – 6’1/243

Former safety that has been moved up closer to the line of scrimmage. Moves exceptionally well for a guy 240+ pounds. Still has some work to do strength wise. Aggressive, fiery player that brings it every play. Surprisingly will send a jolt to offensive linemen with a strong punch and proper use of leverage. Smart player that plays assignment football. Not a roamer, very disciplined. Rangy player in coverage and against the outside run. Doesn’t wrap up consistently. Power backs can get off his tackles. Will get lost in the shuffle when playing the inside run. Needs more time to get acclimated to linebacker.

Ideally I would have gone after a linebacker earlier but with the way this draft class unfolded, this was the first match of best player available and need. I’ve liked Holloman all year and I think he fits the mold of what the next era of linebackers will look like. He has the frame to be a strong 245+ pounds, but he is still a year away from every down duty. But you can’t teach how fast he plays and he doesn’t play the game like a former defensive back. Holloman is one of the more physical linebackers I graded and shows zero hesitation in taking on blocks and shedding.

The Giants current linebacker group is one of the worst in football. While I do understand and partially agree that the position is becoming less important, I still think an upgrade in young talent was needed. Holloman is a guy that can cover as good as any LB in the class. He played a lot of safety in the SEC and was consistently productive. With him being moved around in 2012, he showed the versatility to play all over the field while maintaining a balanced game of speed and power. I hesitate to call him a developmental guy because I think he could see playing time in this scheme right away as well as bring productive special teams performance. We’ll see what he can do in Dallas.

Round 7 – Pick #225

Eric Herman – G/Ohio – 6’4/320

Big and physical mauler that is at his best in the running game. Can really move guys and create running lanes. Strong and aggressive punch off the snap and plays hard through the whistle. Good footwork and hand placement. Keeps his base moving, will re-anchor and finish plays. Not a good lateral mover. Loses a lot of his presence as a blocker when he has to travel more than a yard to his target. Sloppy technique as a pass blocker and got away with it at a low level of college football. Doesn’t react well to stunts and blitzes.

When it comes to my personal grades on players, this was the Giants best pick value-wise. Herman finished as a top 100 overall player. Any time the Giants select a player in the 7th round with that kind of grade, I give it a thumbs up.

What stands out the most in watching his tape was how consistent he was in finishing off plays. When Herman got the initial advantage off the snap on running plays, and he usually did, he graded out near perfect. If he was a more athletic and efficient pass blocker, I think we are looking at him as a 3rd rounder. He won’t be an immediate contributor but I think he has a good shot at making the team because of the mere fact that his vulnerability to being picked off the practice squad would be very high. I think he has quality starter potential, I really do.

Who I Would Have Picked:

Luke Marquardt – OT/Azusa Pacific – 6’8/315

Big, long, and flexible. Has a nice frame that allows him to play with a blend of athleticism and physical presence. Could add more bulk to his lower half. Fires out of his stance in a blink, reaches the second level easily with balance. Dominated his level of competition. Quick enough to reach the edge is pass protection. Has the length to make up for initial timing mishaps. Can bend at the knees well. Played against a low level of competition. Technique with his hands and feet are inconsistent and immature.

Marquardt has an interesting story. He is a former basketball player that was recruited to play tight end in college. After a broken foot sidelined him early on, he gained weight and coaches started to see the potential on him as a tackle. He learned the trades of the position by former long time NFL offensive tackle Jackie Slater and really shined on tape in the 2 games I saw. He played against a very low level of competition and got by with his tool set rather than skill set. At the end of the day, its hard to find a kid with this kind of size and quickness. He reminds me of what Jared Gaither type, except a little more foot quickness.

At this point of the draft, I had only added one offensive lineman in Alvin Bailey, whom I think will be best suited inside. I saw Marquardt available and thought it would have been a great opportunity to bring in a high-upside, potential long term solution to either spot on the outside. Marquardt could come in here right away and be the backup tackle of the future, taking that role away from James Brewer. A team will never have too many big, able bodies that protect the quarterback.

Round 7 – Pick #253

Michael Cox – RB/Massachusetts – 6’0/222

Explosive downhill runner that can hit the hole in a blink. Effective north/south guy when he is decisive. Has the size/explosion combination that NFL backs need. Very good hands out of the backfield, catches easy and with fluidity. Won’t break a lot of tackles and doesn’t fight for the extra yards. Not as physical as you’d think at his size. Won’t greet blitzers with aggression. Upright runner with limited lateral agility in space.

I don’t know much about Cox. I only saw one game of his this season and he wasn’t on the field too much. He has an intriguing skill set considering the size and frame. He needs to get stronger though, especially in his lower half. His legs look weak when taking tacklers and blitzers, as he doesn’t show that staying power.

The Giants backfield is likely set up for good in 2013. It is a position with a lot of injuries year to year though, and we’ve seen success come from unlikely players there over the past few years. I see Cox as a practice squad body for one year that will be given time to get stronger and work on the finer points of the position.

Who I Would Have Picked:

Kevin Reddick – LB/North Carolina – 6’1/243

Versatile linebacker that is best suited inside because of his ability to flow towards the action and beat blockers to a point. Sound tackler that wraps up and will deliver a jolt to ball carrier. Has the presence you want against the inside run. Was used as an edge rusher on passing downs. Anticipates the snap and can sneak through lanes and apply pressure. Shows a lot of promise as a blitzing linebacker. Gets overwhelmed by blockers. Will not win the engagements against linemen if he doesn’t win the initial positioning battle. Not a good athlete in coverage. Loses speed and quickness when dropping back in to a zone.

Reddick going undrafted was one of the mysteries of the weekend for me. I really thought he had a good shot at being a 3rd or 4th round guy. He may be a 2 down player at the next level, but he excelled in the game tapes I watched against the run. He is not a rangy defender, but he has a nice blend of power and quickness within the tackle box. Reddick can do a lot for a defense. He is a quality pass rusher and reliable tackler with some instincts to him. He’ll make a team and start somewhere, I’m sure of it.

As I stated above, the current group of Giants linebackers will get beat up by opposing teams that run the ball well. The gap between Reddick and a guy you can find for cheap in the free agency market may be small, but that’s really not the point here. Their front seven could end up being an Achilles heel late in the year when they need to stop the run. Sure it all begins up front. But mediocrity on that second level against the run and short passing game will come back to haunt this team.


***************************

Short Comparison

GIANTS DRAFT

1 - Justin Pugh - OT/Syracuse
2 - Johnathan Hankins - DT/Ohio State
3 - DaMontre Moore - DE/Texas A& M
4 - Ryan Nassib - QB - Syracuse
5 - Cooper Taylor - S/Richmond
7 - Eric Herman - G/Ohio
7 - Michael Cox - RB/Massachusetts

SY'56 DRAFT

1 - Datone Jones - DE/UCLA
2 - Jamar Taylor - CB/Boise State
3 - Alvin Bailey - G/Arkansas
4 - Shamarko Thomas - S/Syracuse
5 - DeVonte Holloman - LB/South Carolina
7 - Luke Marquardt - OT/Azusa Pacific
7 - Kevin Reddick - LB/North Carolina