Lately, we have seen a lot of talk on BBI about Randy Gregory at #9. For many reasons, I don’t think there is any chance they take the guy with that #9 pick.
One of the things that bothers me about Gregory is seeing college OL handle him in the run game.
I’ve seen some posting highlight videos of Gregory. These videos mean nothing. What I’ve done is watch the guy for entire games. I recently watched the Rutgers and USC game. In each game you can see the problems.
On the other hand, there is a very interesting and explosive DE prospect that does not have the same problems. He’s much bigger than Gregory and, more importantly, he plays even bigger.
Below I linked a video of his game vs USC. It isn’t a 10 play highlight reel. It shows every snap. What the video shows is a full game of ass kicking play from a DL. What you see is a guy rocking OL back and whipping them with quickness.
I would describe his play as “consistently disruptive” and you will too after watching it.
It’s this future stud 4-3 DE, and not Gregory, who checks all of the boxes that the NYG look for in a DE. Think bigger and more explosive Trent Cole.
6034 270lbs with long arms, 11” hands, and elite measurables. 40: 4.62 Vertical: 39” Broad: 10’7”
Combine Note: His 20 (4.19) and 60 (11.75) yard shuttle beat several RBs,WRs and DBs including Alabama S Landon Collins
Reasons Giants will consider him at #9:
- NYG place high value on DE
- DE is a need. We only have one quality DE on the team right now and he can leave next season.
- Elite and explosive athlete with ideal size and length.
- 2 way impact player. Not just a college pass rusher. He's excellent vs the run with a game that projects well into the NFL.
- Tuck-like versatility – Can rush from outside, slide inside on pass downs or stand up and rush.
- Sr Bowl – Giants put a lot of weight on these practices. Odi was one of the most impressive players in one on one drills.
- Dominant play vs quality comp. Just like JPP was in his last year of college ball, Odi was consistently disruptive. And (like JPP) he did it vs quality OL.
Some may dismiss him because of the limited production. 2014 was really the only year that Odi had significant playing time. But this was not an issue with JPP. It shouldn't be here.
The sacks numbers? I think he had 6.5 but that doesn't matter. He proved to be a nightmare to block all year. Production is not all about sacks. He played 3-4DE at UCLA and they moved him inside often. More important than piling up college sacks, what Odi did was prove to be a nightmare to block. And he showed a game that will work in the NFL.
Odi dominated at the end of the year (See USC and Bowl game). He followed it up with an outstanding SR Bowl and then the measurables confirmed it all.
This guy has NYG DE written all over him.
The only issue is medical. He had hip surgery in 2013. If the medical checks he's a top 15 player. And getting him at #9 makes a lot of sense for the Giants.
Odi Vs USC - (
New Window )
You don't take that type of medical risk in the top 10.
He has played at 255 previous and fits the Giant preffered height/arm lenght/angular frame profile.
Add how unproductive Odi was in College...Gregory makes a ton more sense at 9 than Odi does.
It's all about the medical. I know nothing about it. But the player is worthy of this #9 pick. As a player, he's an outstanding upside pick with no downside.
He will help any NFL team instantly.
He's ready to play right now.
Add my agreement. I like him a lot but those hip surgeries are concerning.
Preston Smith has even better measuables height,weight, arm length, excellent 3-cone, (except for 40) and better College production.
Link - ( New Window )
How did he do at that position vs quality OL? It's a big negative for Gregory. I don't think they would consider him.
Why did they draft JPP? A big part of it was the way he handled quality OL. In particular the Giants mentioned how he played against Anthony Davis. It may have been a limited sample but JPP did things vs quality OL in college that was easy to project to NFL.
With Gregory? You don't see it.
With Odi? You do.
I really like the WR White and Parker. But Odi is right ther with them as players I'd like to see on the Giants next year.
If medical isn't an issue, I say no chance he'll be there in round 2. I'd bet on 1st or 2nd DE off the board.
1. I don't care what his weight is now, his frame does not project to gain weight to be an every down 4-3 defensive end. Regardless of what those want to believe about pass rushers, a 4-3 defensive end HAS to play the run.
2. Regardless of what those believe Spags can draw up as a hybrid for him, the truth is this coaching staff may not be here next year and the front office will not draft a player that doesn't fit their mold of a player at a premium position. This is a long term investment
3. He is in the drug program alrady, they are not going to use their first premium pick in a decade on a 21 year old kid with one stupid decision can be suspsended.
The Gregory narrative is stale for those trying to talk themselves into something. When you look at it reasonably, the Giants are not touching him at 9.
If medical isn't an issue, I say no chance he'll be there in round 2. I'd bet on 1st or 2nd DE off the board.
Agreed, but there will also be a run on CBs, OLs, and WRs in the teens and 20's pushing players down. I say its unlikely but I think a better chance he falls to the 2nd and we take him then taking him at 9. Not saying its right, just what I think is realistic.
Round 2: DT Carl Davis
And we're set on the DL.
Thanks, KWALL. Good post.
Link - ( New Window )
I don't trust the medical but obviously I am not privy to the in depth evalation and prognosis of his hip surgeries.
Only way the Giants take Gregory is if he drops like a rock like Manningham in '08.
2nd round worked out well with Strahan and Osi. 3rd round for Tuck.
And its not.
Forget about the value. Teams pick guys based on their board and whether they feel that player would slip to the next round. Typically, a team probably feels that if they themselves like a player that another team likes that same player. That's why they draft him "early"
2013 / Round: 2 / Pick: 40 ---Maybe its meant to be!
i think its much more likely he shocks the world and slips to late 2 or even round 3 - like justin tuck did
and Coach Mason - when you belabor a point - you rook a lot like Jersey Joe
When I got to this guy - as well as Arik Armstead - my reaction was, "these are Giants-like picks."
I see a bigger and more explosive Trent Cole. I think this is a game the Giants will really consider when projecting him on their team. Odi has a game we can use on the Giants.
Round 2: DT Carl Davis
And we're set on the DL.
Balance value with need. I hope it isn't 2 DL back to back.
No more injury history types early on. We need an infusion of healthy talent. I can actually live with the low college sack production - not the medical.
Like Dupree, this may or may not be scheme related .. the scouting staff should know. Dupree, while not as stout, has health on his side. I see these two players as comparable.. but at #9 i think you can get more.
Good chance Car. goes OL. There's is worse off than ours.