First day of on-field timing, drills and workouts are not only finally here, but we'll start seeing separation for players that are under what many people consider our #1 need, an offensive lineman.
The frontrunners at tackle are of course Stanford's
Andrus Peat, Iowa's
Brandon Scherff and LSU's
La'el Collins. After 37 reps on the bench yesterday, my favorite OT, Miami's
Ereck Flowers could solidify a spot in the top 10 with a strong workout on field today. Keep an eye on the workouts of
Jake Fisher and
DJ Humphries. With good ones I think they could start seeing 1st rd buzz. A few other tackles who I think will improve their stock today are
Donovan Smith and
Rob Havenstein. Versatile sleepers are
Sean Hickey,
Andrew Donnal and
Mitch Morse.
Cedric Ogbuehi of course will not be working out.
The top interior lineman are
AJ Cann and
Laken Tomlinson. Cann could go in Rd 1.
Cameron Erving, who started the season as one of the nation's top OT's goes into the combine as arguably the top C. Small school star
Ali Marpet had a big week at the Senior Bowl and can continue his ascent with a strong combine. I think he'll run a sub-5 40. A couple of sleepers are
Jon Feliciano,
Andrew Gallik and
Max Garcia. A huge omission here is McNeese State's
Antoine Everett. He was invited but there will be more about him throughout the process.
At TE the top two are
Maxx Williams and
Clive Walford but the #3 spot is wide open. NJ's own
Nick Boyle could grab that spot. Penn St.'s
Jesse James could too. The draft advisory board suggested the underclassman go back to Happy Valley but he has freakish athleticism for someone 6'7". He could blow up the combine. The only TE that I know of who won't be working out is
Rory 'Busta' Anderson.
Lastly, ST doesn't get much attention but a player who I hope gets mentioned is the lone long snapper, Navy's
Joe Cardona. Not only for planning to serve our country but because he's a damn good long snapper. People will chide the position but ST coaches are well aware of him and when he's ready/able, he'll be in the league. He's been clocked at snapping the ball faster than anyone else (41 mph), does it for punts and FGs, and is perfect every time.
I won't be able to post all 40 times today like previous years so if someone wants to take the task, thanks. I will on Saturday and Sunday. There's also the
Google Docs link. Coverage begins on NFL Network at 9.
Beatty, Pugh, Richburg, Schwartz, Flowers is a a nice line.
Then sign a veteran swing tackle like Doug Free, draft Ali Marpet in the 3rd or 4th round to pair with Mosely as backup guards. Jones, Gettis, Walton and Reynolds (4 players) compete for the backup Center spot. Or 3 if Walton gets cut.
I agree Flowers looks like a strong fit for NYG at RT, but is he going to carry the value/grade at #9? Uncertain, so far.
I know everybody has us going Oline. We are set on the line at 4 positions. I can't see us going Oline in the 1st. I would be shocked to see us pass on D in the 1st. So many good players. Gregory, Fowler, McKinney, Shelton.
I agree. LG/RT is also an "urgent" need and I think they'll fill it via FA. I do think they'll look OL in rds 2-4 though. TJ Clemmings sounds intriguing if he lasts to #40.
I think they go defensive playmaker at #9 though.
Why? It's a prime spot to get your cornerstone LT and I'm not comfortable resting on my laurels with Beatty in the long run. Grab the LT when you can as you're likely only getting him via the premium draft pick.
Peat-Pugh-Richburg-Schwartz-Franklin ... for example.
I just can't seen them cutting Beatty or drafting a Peat and then sitting him. You want try do draft an immediate starter at this spot.
And he himself is a little undersized for an NFL Guard.
If they go bargain shopping for a Jerry or Boothe type OL to fill the last spot, then OL is likely at the top of the board come draft.
The best numbers from the guys in the convo at 9. If he is in fact a guard he would be a very athletic one.
He was strong against FSU, not being bull rushed dramatically by Edwards, who is very strong but only has that one pass rush move. But he just didn't nail his blocks in the running game in several games, including that one.
Did anyone see what I saw in his play?
Next offseason is another story though, which is the main reason I think a guy like Peat (or whoever) makes sense at #9. Not as a 2015 starter.
If yes, the Giants might consider not signing a FA because that's where the talent is going to be at 9.
Ideally they'd sign a FA and trade down IMO though.
Frankly, I think that Beatty would be an attractive trade target for some team looking for LT help. But we'd need to get at least two OTs in order to let him go, as we all know.
Next offseason is another story though, which is the main reason I think a guy like Peat (or whoever) makes sense at #9. Not as a 2015 starter.
Fair enough, either way I'm all for drafting a LT at #9 if the value/grade is there. Beatty's presence, his contract, the draft pick not playing right away etc wouldn't affect my decision. I want the best premium player and fit.
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they probably won't draft an OT at #9, but I would, if the value/grade is there. Beatty could be a June 1 cut this year without creating a ton of damage.
Frankly, I think that Beatty would be an attractive trade target for some team looking for LT help. But we'd need to get at least two OTs in order to let him go, as we all know.
Yes. We would need someone to..you know, start at LT.
Fair enough, either way I'm all for drafting a LT at #9 if the value/grade is there. Beatty's presence, his contract, the draft pick not playing right away etc wouldn't affect my decision. I want the best premium player and fit.
Partly agree, but I think a premier pass rusher is sorely needed even if JPP is retained and those are arguably harder to find than LTs. That's why my preferred approach (as of now) is DE at #9 and then someone with the athleticism to play LT in 1-2 years, but is considered a little raw now (like Clemmings) at #40. But I also probably think higher of Beatty than most.
And I'm warming to the idea of McKinney or another defensive playmaker at #9 as well.
I'm with you on that one Rich! I was pretty impressed with him during the Sr. bowl practices.
Good for him.
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Fair enough, either way I'm all for drafting a LT at #9 if the value/grade is there. Beatty's presence, his contract, the draft pick not playing right away etc wouldn't affect my decision. I want the best premium player and fit.
Partly agree, but I think a premier pass rusher is sorely needed even if JPP is retained and those are arguably harder to find than LTs. That's why my preferred approach (as of now) is DE at #9 and then someone with the athleticism to play LT in 1-2 years, but is considered a little raw now (like Clemmings) at #40. But I also probably think higher of Beatty than most.
And I'm warming to the idea of McKinney or another defensive playmaker at #9 as well.
Edge rusher is absolutely needed, but I don't see him in this crop, so far. A ton of 3-4 OLBs who would be tweeners in a 4-3. Dupree is the prospect I need to see more of.
And then of course there is his love for the game. This from the Graziano article on Scherff's possible move to OG:
"I don't know that it would be a challenge," he said. "I like run blocking, and I know sometimes when you're in there you get help from the center. It would be a smooth move for me, I think. And I'll be happy wherever they want me to play, guard, tackle, whatever."
"I like run blocking," That was almost enough for me to change my opinion. But still, with the Giants not realyl having the LT of the future on the roster and Beatty with two years remaining on his contract. I think OT makes far more sense than OG, even if he is one of best to come out in recent memory.
No big deal, he'll never be running 40yds at one time in the NFL anyway. Well almost never.
I'll just say I've gone from absolutely not on Scherff, to "I could see what the Giants are thinking there."
Flowers is rapidly becoming the OT I would take at #9. Seems to be the prototype, with a nasty streak.
Edge rusher is absolutely needed, but I don't see him in this crop, so far. A ton of 3-4 OLBs who would be tweeners in a 4-3. Dupree is the prospect I need to see more of.
Yea, it was disappointing seeing all the top guys weighing in around 235-245 lbs. If they were in the 255+ range, it would be a lot more believable that they could add enough weight to anchor the run.
Could you provide a link to these reports???
And then of course there is his love for the game. This from the Graziano article on Scherff's possible move to OG:
"I don't know that it would be a challenge," he said. "I like run blocking, and I know sometimes when you're in there you get help from the center. It would be a smooth move for me, I think. And I'll be happy wherever they want me to play, guard, tackle, whatever."
"I like run blocking," That was almost enough for me to change my opinion. But still, with the Giants not realyl having the LT of the future on the roster and Beatty with two years remaining on his contract. I think OT makes far more sense than OG, even if he is one of best to come out in recent memory.
Beatty's got 3 years left, but a cap hit ~$9-9.5M the last 2 years and significant cap savings (if desired) available by cutting him.
I hate my phones auto correct.. How do you turn off the auto correct for the iphone?
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During ok drills. Came up limping. With a trainer. Hopefully it's nothing.
I hate my phones auto correct.. How do you turn off the auto correct for the iphone?
Drop it in the toilet?