What is your preliminary take on the 15 draft as compared to last year and where do you think the strength is at the top if the draft vs. the depth in the draft.
was not a strength and the better players there will have to be taken quickly.
It's too early to tell, because there are always risers (and fallers, too). In the 2013 draft, three OT went in the top four picks, but nobody was talking up Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson as first round picks four months prior.
That being said, the draft already has three projected at top ten types (Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M; Andrus Peat, Stanford; Brandon Scherff, Iowa). I'm guessing at least one or two more will join them in the top ten or twelve before all is said and done.
David et al: Would also be interested to hear what Dave Sy has to say about the 2015 draft - he's a very good talent evaluator - however what we are hearing from our sources around the league, at least at the this time - and as Milton notes the draft is still over 6 months away and there is still much sorting out to be done between now and then - is that there is something of a general consensus that 2015 likely won't be as strong as this past year. There certainly will be some strength at OT, but scouts are also starting to find some holes in the games of each of the top 3 guys Ogbuehi, Peat and Scherff, although all three are still rated top 10. From a Giants perspective if they wanted to go OL in the opening round (and the betting here is they won't) might be a guy like La'el Collins of LSU who also has the potential to play inside. Of note there are also a couple of other rising juniors in Drango of Baylor and The U's Ereck Flowers, but for the most pat this year you want an OT you'll probably have to get within the first two rounds. DE also looks like it will be a strength with USC's Leonard Williams and Randy Gregory of Nebraska rated as top 5 guys and Dante Fowler of Florida and 6-8 Shawn Oakman of Baylor in the 10-20, but there isn't necessarily a lot of depth at the position and if one wants someone to come and contribute right away you'll have to do it within the first 50 picks or so. At the same time, the deepest positions this year look to be RB and WR with quality prospects right through the second day and maybe even into the third.
David et al: Would also be interested to hear what Dave Sy has to say about the 2015 draft - he's a very good talent evaluator - however what we are hearing from our sources around the league, at least at the this time - and as Milton notes the draft is still over 6 months away and there is still much sorting out to be done between now and then - is that there is something of a general consensus that 2015 likely won't be as strong as this past year. There certainly will be some strength at OT, but scouts are also starting to find some holes in the games of each of the top 3 guys Ogbuehi, Peat and Scherff, although all three are still rated top 10. From a Giants perspective if they wanted to go OL in the opening round (and the betting here is they won't) might be a guy like La'el Collins of LSU who also has the potential to play inside. Of note there are also a couple of other rising juniors in Drango of Baylor and The U's Ereck Flowers, but for the most pat this year you want an OT you'll probably have to get within the first two rounds. DE also looks like it will be a strength with USC's Leonard Williams and Randy Gregory of Nebraska rated as top 5 guys and Dante Fowler of Florida and 6-8 Shawn Oakman of Baylor in the 10-20, but there isn't necessarily a lot of depth at the position and if one wants someone to come and contribute right away you'll have to do it within the first 50 picks or so. At the same time, the deepest positions this year look to be RB and WR with quality prospects right through the second day and maybe even into the third.
Thanks for the rundown! I think the play of Will Beatty throughout the remainder of the season will go a long way in determining whether the Giants need to go OT in round one or not. It wouldn't surprise me if this is the year the Giants finally draft a true LB in the first round.
Get a dynamic LB who can stuff and cover and this defense will be a lot stronger. And a ball hawk who can actually follow his assignments would be good too...Damn that Will Hill!
Milton et al: Certainly would not rule out the Giants taking a LB in the opening, although the pickings aren't exactly overwhelming at the position. However, Shaq Thompson of Washington would be a possibility; he's a big-play impact LB who can really run. One other guy to watch is Bernardrick (he really has to pick one or the other) McKinney; he's nominally a MLB but MSU actually lines him up all over and at 6-5, 245 with sub-4.6 he likely would be much more disruptive on the outside in the NFL. In fact, going into the draft though I would expect the Giants to be have a couple of primary potential goals in mind. First, would be to increase the speed and athleticism in the defensive front seven, especially at DE; and 2) to continue to improve the big-play capacity on offense. Obviously safety will also be a major this off-season, although it is one of those positions one can usually address in free agency. At the same time, though, its likely there will be several pretty good FS types in the second day including Cody Prewitt of Ole Miss, Derron Smith of Fresno, Kurt Drummond of the other MSU, Durrell Eskridge of the Cuse and Virginia's Anthony Harris.
In order to take a LB in the 1st round, there needs to actually be one available when the Giants pick. Watch the College game - they are so few who can play and fewer who translate to 3 down players in the NFL
on another OL in the first round for stupid reasons, there is no hope for this team having a quick rebuild.
I do not call having a higher ranked player at a different position that is also a need a stupid reason. If an OL is BPA we will go OL, but the team has too many holes to be looking at one position early in the draft
is the single most important position on this team to fix. There will be no BPA available at a more important position.
OL looks like a big need, but let's get through the season and see what happens when Schwartz gets back. Richburg looks like a winner right now. OLines take time to gel. If Walton doesn't get better soon, then Richburg may need to move over, leaving on slot to fill.
That being said, the draft already has three projected at top ten types (Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M; Andrus Peat, Stanford; Brandon Scherff, Iowa). I'm guessing at least one or two more will join them in the top ten or twelve before all is said and done.
There are 30 teams that need LB's
I do not call having a higher ranked player at a different position that is also a need a stupid reason. If an OL is BPA we will go OL, but the team has too many holes to be looking at one position early in the draft
OL looks like a big need, but let's get through the season and see what happens when Schwartz gets back. Richburg looks like a winner right now. OLines take time to gel. If Walton doesn't get better soon, then Richburg may need to move over, leaving on slot to fill.
Either Weston is a C or a Guard. And Pugh probably belongs inside as well, meaning another Tackle is necessary.
S, LB, DE come to mind. Also WR if Cruz is not making progress
Either Weston is a C or a Guard. And Pugh probably belongs inside as well, meaning another Tackle is necessary.
Why would Pugh move inside? and if he did, it would be an upgrade, I would presume. You could find bigger needs than moving Pugh to guard.