I understand that the masses here at BBI are looking to bolster the OL with the 9th pick, but I think a few factors have me believing the Giants will look a different direction in RD 1.
1. The top-end OL talent in this year's draft does not seem to warrant a Top-10 pick. Admittedly I haven't scoured film on all the top dogs, but outside of maybe Scherff I don't see how you can rationalize this crop of OL at #9.
2. When discussing last year's selection of Odell Beckham Jr., the FO made a comment that suggested they choose playmaker over OL every time in RD 1, assuming each player is similarly valued. Solid OL can be found outside the 1st and I think the Giants showed that with the Richburg selection. Frankly, I don't see a need to use a Top-10 pick on a guy who likely projects as a guard, when solid OL value should be available in RD 2.
3. We have areas of need outside of OL that have long been neglected. We have a clear need to improve the talent at the LB and S positions as well as improving depth along the interior DL. Rolle could be gone and even if he stays, there is a clear need for help there.
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My Pick: OLD Shaq Thompson
Rationale: I know, I know…we don't draft LBs in RD 1. Save it.
Shaq would immediately provide a much need boost in athleticism and ferocity to our much maligned LB corp. He has true sideline-to-sideline speed and offers perhaps the best coverage skills that we have seen out of a LB prospect in years. The only true knock on Shaq is his size. His weight is low, which has some scouts clamoring that he should make the switch to safety. He has maintained that his intention is to play LB and personally, I think that is where he belongs. He can add some weight with a proper training program and can finally give the Giants a true playmaker at LB. His dynamic abilities make the selection similar to a JPP type of pick. He comes with risk, but his ceiling is astronomical.
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But I'm praying that he doesn't land in the NFC East. He's got star potential and I don't want to see him twice a year.
This team has a lot of holes still and they need to draft good players who will fill them and fill them well. They just can't miss on their picks this year.
My only issue would be taking Shaq at 9. I think that's early for him. If they can trade down and pick him later in Rd 1 I'd be perfectly fine with that.
I am aware of this and said so in my rationale. Just because Mike Mayock thinks he is a safety, doesn't mean that he'll be a safety. I think the Combine will be a huge thing for Shaq. His weight ad strength measurables will be a big determining factor in his ability to play LB. He'll run very well and I see him shooting up draft boards after showcasing that.
This is very much aligned with my thoughts. I see very few players in this draft with the physical abilities and upside that Shaq has. Rather than take a "high floor" player, I'd rather use a Top-10 pick on a potential superstar.
If we can get Dante Fowler Jr at 9 and Kendricks at 40 our front 7 would go from a weakness to a strength very very quickly.
I would rather have Shelton
It's not to say he definitively can't do it, but a 220 lb college safety typically doesn't move to LB in the NFL.
Only based on what I've read on BBI, Shelton or Peat seem like the likely picks if the Giants can't move back off the #9 pick.
What is his position? As others have said, he isn't big enough to play LB in the NFL, at least not in a 4-3. So he's a safety, but he didn't do that in college. So we're going to use the #9 pick on a player who has to switch to a position he didn't play in college?
Fantastic athleticism, but way too much of a risk at #9.
I like that we bucked the trend last year with OBJ and it obviously paid dividends. Perhaps that will encourage us to keep an open mind when it comes to size and shape and allow us to recognize potential top-tier talent anywhere.
I'm all for some progressive thinking and taking a chance on a guy with an incredibly-high ceiling, rather than playing it safe.
The best or #2 OL: Peat, Collins, Flowers, Scherff seem to be the names I hear most.
The 2nd best WR: Cooper, White if the Giants think they are really special.
The 2 or third best DT - Shelton
Possibly a DE slips, but not likely: Ray/Gregory
It does not seem like there are any LB, RB, S, TE,or CB will have value at 9.
I think the pick will be Shelton or OL depending on
1. How they rank and 2 Who they can get later.
Hoping we go Shelton thinking we can get a mauling RT - Guard type in round two.
Like to see us sign 4 starters in FA two FA Safeties, 1 FA LB, 1 FA OL.
Also, keep JPP, maybe Rolle.
He did play with a great defensive cast around him, and some others did make some good points about him struggling with disengaging which bares consideration. He is a bit lite for a full time LB, but I think he could be effective as a S/LB hybrid type player. I'm not too sure there are many other game changing defensive players that will be there around our 1st pick, other than him and barring anyone else falling in the draft, i think its a toss up with shaq, dupree, and shelton.
Yep. I might add Armstead wasn't a monster & we all saw how that turned out.
Thompson is no where close to that level as a LB. His highlight reel looks better as a RB than LB.
If he fits the defense that the Giants expect to play, I would say "Yes".
By the way, using Richburg as an example of what the Giants can expect if they wait until Round 2 to draft an O-lineman is not favorable. Although Richburg performed better than most Giants second round picks, I think he underachieved compared to other second round O-linemen around the league.
If he fits the defense that the Giants expect to play, I would say "Yes".
By the way, using Richburg as an example of what the Giants can expect if they wait until Round 2 to draft an O-lineman is not favorable. Although Richburg performed better than most Giants second round picks, I think he underachieved compared to other second round O-linemen around the league.
Jesse Armstead without a serious leg injury playing his very best would not have been a #9 overall pick.
Richburg performed well playing out of his natural position of Center to play at Guard..
Thompson's highlight reel is a head-turner. I think he'll be an exciting player to watch at the next level. It's just hard to imagine the Giants rolling that particular set of dice in their current situation.