As much as NYG needs OL help, I think they need to bring in some young, fresh talent to DE and DT. Keeping FA out of it, I've come up with a list of names I would consider in each tier of the draft (Day 1/Day 2). We can dicuss Day 3 at a later time.
Round 1
DT Leonard Williams - USC - 6'4/295
DT Danny Shelton - Washington - 6'2/243
DE Alvin Dupree - Kentucky - 6'3/264
DE Shane Ray - Missouri - 6'3/255
Williams is still the grade in this class for me, but Shelton is really close. He is the closest thing we have seen to Ngata, one of the rarest prospects I have ever seen. Dupree and Ray are questionable DEs for the 4-3 but like I said a few weeks ago, NYG needs to get innovative sometimes and be able to throw a guy like that in to the system. They are elite-caliber edge guys with rare explosion and functional strength. They need to be considered.
Round 2/3
DE Arik Armstead - Oregon - 6'8/298
DE Henry Anderson - Stanford - 6'6/287
DT Carl Davis - Iowa - 6'5/321
DE Owamagbe Odigihizuwa - UCLA - 6'3/266
DE Nate Orchard - Utah - 6'3/251
DT Malcom Brown - Texas - 6'4/320
A lot of value in this group and there are probably a few more names we can toss in there. Armstead and Odigiizuwa were not top notch producers in college but they are very tools rich. I think both can be STARS in the league. That are both worth taking in round 2 because they aren't just athlete, they have alot of football player in them. Anderson was a favorite of min yesterday and I have a few guys in Mobile saying he looks like the best DL at the Senior Bowl. Doesn't surprise me at all. I've spoken about Davis a few times, he just screams NFL when you watch him on tape. Better version of Linval Joseph, but similar style.
He has a lot of tape where he does look the part. And he is pretty tools rich. Here is my summary from my report on him:
Junior entry. Tools-rich with a high ceiling if he can continue to physically develop on the current track he has been on. Harold will also need to improve his skill set. He needs to work on his pass rush repertoire and consistent use of technique and mechanics. He shows superb movement in space and plays an aggressive brand of football. He knows how to finish and there is a lot of quick reaction associated with his game. He should be viewed as a developmental prospect that won’t need too long before he is ready for an important role as an edge rusher.
Final Grade: 3rd round
Also, Lorenzo Mauldin interests me. He could be the type of guy that fills the role the Giants had pegged for O'Brien Schofield.
Don't think we'll get anywhere near Williams, and I don't want to trade up to do so. Shelton would be great at #9. Incredibly stout against the run, and with surprising good pursuit. Not just a phone booth guy. He and Hankins would be a great pair of DTs. Bring Bromley in for relief and on pass rush downs.
I still think Armstead should have gone back for another year, especially after being plagued by his ankle injury. But there is no question about his size speed combination. Could easily see him being BPA at #40, but he's likely to go before then IMO.
Davis would be a great pick at #40. Doesn't offer quite what Shelton does, but he's taller, and again, he and Hankins would really do wonders for the run defense.
I also like Eli Harold. He'd be a great pick in the third, but I'd be surprised if he lasts that long.
We need OL and DL, and this draft is loaded in those areas.
That WR from Miami seems to be a good fit for them.
Don't think we'll get anywhere near Williams, and I don't want to trade up to do so. Shelton would be great at #9. Incredibly stout against the run, and with surprising good pursuit. Not just a phone booth guy. He and Hankins would be a great pair of DTs. Bring Bromley in for relief and on pass rush downs.
I still think Armstead should have gone back for another year, especially after being plagued by his ankle injury. But there is no question about his size speed combination. Could easily see him being BPA at #40, but he's likely to go before then IMO.
Davis would be a great pick at #40. Doesn't offer quite what Shelton does, but he's taller, and again, he and Hankins would really do wonders for the run defense.
I also like Eli Harold. He'd be a great pick in the third, but I'd be surprised if he lasts that long.
We need OL and DL, and this draft is loaded in those areas.
Tougher draft to figure this year when compared to last year IMO.
Too raw. Was smart to go back for more seasoning.
He's awful. That guy, IMO, has bust written all over him. Watched him multiple times and he doesn't pursue much at all. Low motor IMO. Looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane.
Also, I think with 4-3 ends, unless elite, there are only 1/2 the teams running the 4-3 and a pick in rd 2 or 3 will yield someone decent if the Giants don't like Moore, JPP, Wynn, Ayers and want a 5th DE in case they franchise JPP which I think makes sense.
he's have a star lotulelei/haloti ngata impact on the D. and even better, hankins is best at the 3T which allows shelton to slide into the nose
JPP RDE, Hankins RDT, Shelton NT - good luck running on that
Detroit- Suh/Fairley
Bills- Williams/Dareus
Carolina- Lotulelei/Short
NYG- Hankins/???
I disagree just look at the Tackles I named
Dareus- 3rd overall pick 2011
Lotulelei- 14 overall pick 2013
Suh- 2nd overall pick 2010
Fairley- 13 overall pick 2011
he's have a star lotulelei/haloti ngata impact on the D. and even better, hankins is best at the 3T which allows shelton to slide into the nose
JPP RDE, Hankins RDT, Shelton NT - good luck running on that
Like Shelton but we have a rare opportunity for a top LT if the value is there. If there is an LT of close value to the rest of the field at 9, I honestly would be surprised if we selected another position.
Also, I think with 4-3 ends, unless elite, there are only 1/2 the teams running the 4-3 and a pick in rd 2 or 3 will yield someone decent if the Giants don't like Moore, JPP, Wynn, Ayers and want a 5th DE in case they franchise JPP which I think makes sense.
Complexion of D will change by virtue of a new, more aggressive system.
They could easily go to that well again in 2015. Even if they like Bromley, there's plenty of room behind him, Hankins and the rapidly-aging Cullen Jenkins.
Here's another example: In the last nine drafts, the Giants have spent nine premium picks - ranging from Beckham at #12 to Manningham at #95 - on wide receivers, counting the two that went toward securing the dubious services of Sinorice Moss. Oddly, they haven't taken a single WR below #95 during that period: the last was Jamaar Taylor in 2004. Apparently, they don't see much chance of a late pick panning out there - which is ironic, considering how they hit the jackpot with Victor Cruz. Maybe the philosophy is that, once you get past the third round, the receivers left on the board are all long shots to do anything as pros, so you might as well use your picks elsewhere and sign UDFAs like Cruz, then fill the bottom of the roster with minimum-salary vets like Preston Parker.
Anyway, until I see them do something different, I will expect NYG to round up the usual suspects in Rounds 1-3: WR, DT, DE, with the occasional DB, OL or RB if value aligns with need.
First year safeties, unless elite, tend to take a while to develop. I think we will look to fill those positions with 2 top FAs.
Linebackers can also take a while so I think we will get one top FA and a high pick for reserve strength.
Only an elite DT prospect is likely to have an immediate impact so I think they will go Shelton if he is there.
I think they will go one high draft pick and one top FA for the OL.
Lower picks and cheaper FAs will be used for LB depth, DT depth, TE depth, RB depth, Wr depth, DE depth, and OL depth.
Next years final 53 roster could/should have
2 new safeties
3 new LBs
2 new DTs
1 new RB
3 new OL
1 new TE
We have some young talent and depth at wr, de (assumes JPP), and CB.
Not written in stone, but it's been pretty predictable under Reese.
Problem is there might not be one in this draft worthy of #9.
In free agency:
I think the Giants will at least get one Safety in FA along with re-signing Rolle to a more cap friendly deal. He is the elder statesman and emotional leader of the secondary. Unless he's slowed down a ton, he is kind of like the Sam Madison of this group. I think we need to keep him along with bringing in a guy like McCourty (if not too pricey) or someone like the KC kid that KWALL mentioned.
I do think we'll stockpile a bit at WR as GB likes to do. And I see us making a run at Cobb as he has familiarity with the GB system which is likely pretty similar to what MacAdoo is running here. Also we can't assume Cruz will be 100% next year.
JPP must be resigned. Either tag which won't be ideal as it will eat cap or a long term deal with a cap friendly 1st year.
DT depth will be brought in and Reese is good at finding bargains here.
I see a vet coverage LB or hybrid S/LB brought in especially if Jaquain is not brought back.
A vet TE who is at least a decent pass catcher to be brought in to pair with Donnell.
Draft:
1st round
I see the stars aligning for that LT @9. Giants were rumored to want Solder before NE traded up and snatched him. Reese has spoke about the value of a 'blue-goose' LT. Well as of now, the Giants have one true LT on the roster who isn't elite , is inconsistent and somewhat injury prone. Eli is aging and isn't mobile to begin with. Between Peat,Collins,Clemmings, and Flowers I am banking on one of these guys to be there and have a high grade for projectability for that LT spot. Plug whomever that guy is at RT or OG and then shift him to LT in a year (or sooner if Beatty goes down again).
2nd round
This class is stocked at WR. While not quite last years class which will likely end up a historic one, it is damn strong. Between the growing list of guys at WR/TE -Dorial Green-Beckham,Rashad Green,Sammie Coates,Ty Montgomery, Lockett, Jalean Strong, Maxx Williams, Devin Funchess one of these guys will be available at 40 (while an LT would not). I think BPA at 40 is very likely to be one of these guys and the Giants will go to the well here again.
3rd round
As Blogger has mentioned we have went DT/DE here quite often in recent years. Could that Trail guy be in the mix?
Utilize premium draft picks to infuse talent at premium positions.
I think we will go Shelton, then OL, then best LB/S/RB Possible OL, then best DL with 1 and 2.
A lot can and will change. I don't think we are far off from being a pretty solid team if our wounded warriors return to form.
1 Andrus Peat OT
2 Arik Armstead DE
3 Denzel Perriman ILB
4 Clayton Geathers SS
5 Eric Rowe CB
6 Christian Lombard OG
7 Marcus Murphy RB