What do I think NYG is really looking for over the next week?
They have a top 10 pick for the first time in over 10 years. The options really are endless here because I firmly believe they can go in ANY direction outside of QB. I want to keep the trades out of the discussion.
So who are the obvious options as of right now that they can get a close look at? And what will they be looking for with this prospects individually? (I don't see Leonard Williams or Randy Gregory being options)
1 - Andrus Peat - OT/Stanford
I've said a few times that I think Peat is the top OT in this class. He isn't head and shoulders above the other guys but I think he offers elite upside. There are legit concerns here, however. One thing I really want to see are his measurements. What does he weigh? How long are his arms? For a guy that spent 4 years in college, Peat looks awfully soft. I don't need an underwear model playing left tackle but I think there is a lot bad weight on him. He needs to clean that up, as I think it will hinder some of his movement issues.
2 - Brandon Scherff - OT/Iowa
I've been saying for awhile that Scherff's questions as a LT prospect have nothing to do with his athletic potential. I think seeing him workout in Indy will prove that he is one of the most athletic linemen in this draft class. His issues have more to do with his footwork and hand placement from a mechanical perspective. This guy can play a few different spots along the line and LT is one of them.
3 - Amari Cooper - WR/Alabama
I would be more interested in Cooper's medicals than anything but we likely won't receive that information. He's been nicked up here and there and I would want to confirm he is going to be fine long term. On the field we already know Cooper is an elite route runner and hands catcher. I am interested in seeing some of his workout times. I don't need to see a 4.4 forty, but I really don't want to see a 4.55 or worse. NYG is usually interested in the 3 cone and shuttles....which I think Cooper will excel at.
4 - Danny Shelton - DT/Washington
He proved on tape that he is a disruptive, dynamic athlete with a consistent level of effort. He really couldn't have done more for himself than what he put on tape in 2014. His interviews are going to be crucial...there are some issues in the past that need to be discussed. On the field, I want to see a guy that can put together a bunch of quality movements together. The combine is more physically demanding than some people think. I'd hate to see Shelton move well in workouts, but come off sluggish in positional drills.
5 - Shane Ray - DE/Missouri
I don't want to get in to the discussion regarding his potential in a 4-3 yet. Thats for another time. I am, howeber, really interested in his measurements. Sure I'd like to see what he benches but thats not a huge deal. The worst grade on his sheet right now is size. If he weighs in heavier that 255 and his arm length is decent, he may move to the top overall spot on my board. I hope NYG doesn't cross this guy off the board simply because of size. But hey, everyone has a baseline and if he does weight in below 255, that may be NYG's.
6 - Kevin White - WR/West Virginia
The second WR on this list...I am in the camp that I think Reese may fall in love with another playmaker for this offense. There is room for another one for sure. White is the top guy in this class according to some people I really respect. He has some things that Cooper doesn't. When I watch his tape though, I see a guy that doesn't have the same short and long explosion. May be I am wrong...but curious to see his times and measurements. His hand size may be one of the bigger ones, something NYG loves.
7 - La'el Collins - OT/LSU
The third OL that I think NYG will be taking a close look at. I think everyone likes this guy because he is an equal grade at LG and LT, maybe RT as well. Plain and simple this guy gets the job done. His value is seen on tape because of his style of play...but this is still an important week for him. Every team has minimums on times/measurements...and some people think Collins won't time well in anything. Vital? Not really. But it could bump him down a notch or two.
8 - Ereck Flowers - OT/Miami
This is the guy I think can put himself in to the top 10 between now and the draft. I would say most people have him projected in the 20-30 tier. But if he steals the show athletically after measuring out to be ideal (which I think will happen), Flowers may be the darkhorse favorite for NYG if they go OL.
9 - Bernardrick McKinney - LB/Mississippi State
I know most don't see him as a top 10 guy. He won't be in my top 10 (at least I don't think)...but all signs are pointing towards this guy potentially stealing the show. Height/weight/speed/explosion will force teams to give him another look on tape and if they watch his second half of 2014, they may see a potentially dominant NFL defender that never comes off the field. NYG needs a guy like this on their defense. And I think they will try to bring in some triangle number guys (height/weight/speed) this year.
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Outside of the first round, here is a list of guys (not in any order) that I think they will be intently focused on. And no, I won't get everyone on here for the sake of time.
*Arik Armstead - DE/Oregon
They've been known to take risks on athletes with marginal production. This guy has an upside that CANNOT be ignored.
*Preston Smith - DE/Mississippi State
When it comes to height/weight/speed....Smith matches a lot of what NYG wants out of a DE. He's a blue collar player too.
*Jaelen Strong - WR/Arizona State
Big handed, physical WR with height and weight. I think NYG is still looking for a size WR to put in this group.
*Cameron Erving - C/Florida State
With an OL that nobody knows how it will line up, a versatile guy like this could be a huge and immediate help.
*Paul Dawson - OLB/TCU
Spags needs more talent at LB and he likes to put a guy at WILL that can play some MIKE roles but also drop in to coverage and blitz. Dawson does all of those really well.
*Laken Tomlinson - OG/Duke
If NYG misses out on OL in round 1, Tomlinson should be there day two and he may be the most pro ready G in this class. Can he move well enough though?
*Duke Johnson - RB/Miami
Hard to not see LeSean McCoy in this kid. NYG knows they need more talent in the backfield and the days of waiting for day 3 may be over. They love playmakers and Johnson is exactly that,
*Josue Matias - OG/Florida State
NJ product. NYG loves to take high upside OL and develop them in time. Matias is that kind of guy, his tools will be hard to miss.
Lynden Trail - DE/Norfolk State
Hard to imagine that NYG is not really intrigued by this guy. His measurements are off the charts and they want/need DL talent.
*Marcus Hardison - DT/Arizona State
If NYG wants to get creative with their pass rushing fronts, Hardison is guy they will be looking at. Really impressive one tape no matter where lines up. Has a weird body though and they need to see how he moves in workouts. Not sure where his upside is.
*Durrell Eskridge - S/Syracuse
NYG loved Kenny Phillips and there is a lot of similarity between him and Eskridge...maybe even James Butler as well, a former NYG safety that Spags loved for his scheme.
*Martrell Spaight - LB/Arkansas
Awfully similar to Antonio Pierce, both physically and mentally. Another guy I think NYG will be looking at athletically based on what Spags wants.
*Blake Bell - TE/Oklahoma
NYG likes these guys that made a recent position change, and Bell us a former running QB. High effort guy that needs work technique wise, but has the approach and style of play that fits in with the NYG scheme.
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We can spend all week talking about 300+ guys. These are just a few I think they will be looking at closely. Willing to discuss others as well.
Smith and Hardison are guys I really like on days two and three.
I like Parryman a lot as well....I have huim graded as a 1st round caliber guy. That said, I don't think the NYG will view him as high.
Really lIke Anderson. As of right now he is #3/#4...2nd round option.
I also want to see WR's Amari Cooper, DeVante Parker, Sammie Coates and Devin Smith combine numbers. To me Cooper just needs a 4.5 forty or better to hold unto the #1 WR position. If he can get to 4.5 or better and he is there at #9 he would be the BPA by a wide margin.
As an athlete, I would rank him higher than both White and Cooper. Not only do I think his upside is greater but, for me, he's the safest pick at WR because of that length and ball skills.
Everybody says Cooper is the safest. I don't buy it. To me he looks like an average NFL WR who may have trouble getting open and making plays. I see plenty of risk with Cooper.
Parker has very little risk. He'll make plays because he's open even with a guy right next to him. I love Parker for the Giants. It would be a nice match with Beckham.
The wild card WR in this draft is Green-Beckham. He may not have Parker's arm length but he's a massive WR with speed. I could him going before Cooper in the draft.
No team in the NFL wants their own version of Josh Gordon.
You are right jayg
Height/arm length a big deal for NYG
How is Cooper's route running overrated? He is able to run himself open consistently. That is an important trait. In addition, he competes hard for the ball and can catch the ball from any and every angle. Couple things Parker doesn't do as well.
Yes, he has the potential and you guys know more than me but based off the couple of games I've seen of him on draftbreakdown.com I just don't see a left tackle that's worthy of a t 10 pick.
My opinion can/might change and not that my opinion of him matters but I may need help being sold on this player.
According to combine reports.
When I look at a guy running routes I look for explosive cuts and change of direction that leads to getting wide open in college.
With Beckham it was clear as day.
With Cooper it is not there. He doesn't wow you with separation out of his cuts on the routes.
There is nothing special about this guy's route running.
Three White Guys > One Diversity Hire.
Only takes one team to bite. However I highly doubt it's the Giants.
Most of the character red flag guys they've taken were thoroughly evaluated , deemed as coachable and then mentored closely with Charles Way (now David Tyree)
Don't see DGB as being a guy who they'll feel they can work with.
Bottomline ...he's a load to handle. There are three very highly rated WR prospects in Round 1. Personally I would prefer defense or OL at #9 but would be satisfied with any of Cooper/White/Parker.
Further, Cooper isn't OBJ sudden (not many are) but his change of direction is still excellent.
Keep in mind the Giants tried to sign O'Brien Schofield last March.
Carl Davis
Lyndon Trails
Cody Prewitt
Taiwan Jones
Cam Thomas
Josh Robinson
Sam Carter
Agree
I could be quite happy with Shelton in the first and Tomlinson in the 2nd.
Keep in mind the Giants tried to sign O'Brien Schofield last March.
my question as well.
The comments you made about his route running is exactly what I mean when I say overrated. NFL guys will step up in man coverage and handle this "polish". He has average size and movement. I don't see anything special to warrant a high first round pick.
Parker is the big man here. He's much longer. His catching radius is sick. Plus, he has excellent feet and quickness. His got big time NFL WR potential with no risk.
I also think he will have an excellent workout at combine and the people covering the draft will start to rank him above Cooper and White. I do like White too. I think both guys go before Cooper. Cooper is more of a late first rounder and may be the 4th WR off the board.
K wall you obviously have a strong opinion on these 3. I do agree that I think both Parker and White have higher upsides and I've been touting Parker for quite a while (in fact I might take him over Cooper).
Where I disagree is I think while Cooper may not have quite the ceiling the other two have his floor is very high. You don't produce like he did at a major college program (and a 1000 yds as a freshman no less) without having some serious talent.
I don't see him being neutralized at the next level because the route running is too good. For lack of a better comparison, I think his floor is a faster, bigger version of NYG Steve Smith in his heyday.