This year's WR class is fookin' great

Nicks is done, Crabtree couldn't find a job, Hayward-bey(enough said), Kenny Britt more time in trouble than on the field, and Maclin the best of the bunch and a number 2 at best. last year came with less attention, and is looking good. For some reason Wrs college production does correlate with their aptitude as a pro.

more sure fire 1st rounders than Crabtree and Britt, who had a known attitude problem. DHB was clearly a flawed WR, I wrote about it at the time, who went high because of combine measurables and perceived upside. Nicks really was a great player whose injuries or attitude derailed him, but he was nowhere near this year's top guys athletically.

Look at White tape, and see how far down the field that guy gets when his QB is unloading ASAP after a 3 or 5 step drop. I don't think I've seen a WR get that depth that fast since Bullet Bob Hayes...

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In comment 12239137 BlueLou said:

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more sure fire 1st rounders than Crabtree and Britt, who had a known attitude problem. DHB was clearly a flawed WR, I wrote about it at the time, who went high because of combine measurables and perceived upside. Nicks really was a great player whose injuries or attitude derailed him, but he was nowhere near this year's top guys athletically. Look at White tape, and see how far down the field that guy gets when his QB is unloading ASAP after a 3 or 5 step drop. I don't think I've seen a WR get that depth that fast since Bullet Bob Hayes...

But, yet, people question his game speed. I don't get it. When you watch film he gets behind the defense. His QB was pretty horrible and White either had to slow down or challenge for the ball with the DB because his QB was just so inaccurate. They see the end result and say that he doesn't get enough separation and that is just not true.

even briefly, but the more I watch the more I am impressed. Extremely impressed. It seemed early on you were of the mind that the Giants would most likely find value at WR at 9, and now I buy it 100% - even I don't like it so much.

Parker and Strong are both friggen beasts, and that's not even mentioning the top 2 who are terrific players, or potential players in the case of White.

Cooper to me is in a class by himself he's so smooth, but anyone among the next 4 guys might have even more upside - White, Parker, Strong and Green-Beckham. My lord what talent, they all remind me of Dez Bryant! Agholor and Devin Smith are silly good too, with silly speed, and they are 2nd rounders this year. Unless the combine clock was off.

But some people here said, or quoted others, stuff like "White doesn't look so fast on tape." WHAT? The guys is 30-40 yards downfield when his QB 3 step drops and heaves.. You put anyone of these guys on the field with OBJ... and a recovering Cruz or even emerging Randle just as a "possession" type guy? It's gonna get silly and prolly just what McAdoo wants.

He's blazing fast and it's clear on tape... In this case, the combine 4.35 isn't a mirage.

as he could present the best value, and also the best asset to potentially rig a trade down. If they can pull it off, it would most likely be for Peat or Flowers, imv.

WR, OT or DE/OLB in round 1.

Whichever positions from the above they don't get in round 1, they'll likely target in rounds 2 and 3 (plus adding TE, FS and OG in the mix).

The Giants could gamble that Cruz and / or Randle will be a decent 2nd option to OBJ and not go WR in round 1, given there are very good WRs in rounds 2 and 3. The problem is that at #9, the likely best match of need and value will be at WR.

Personally, I'm coming around to passing on the available OLs and DE/OLBs that will likely be available at #9 and going with the best and available among Cooper, White or Parker.

IF the above happens, I'd be more inclined to look for OL or DE in round 2, then go for whatever we didn't get in round 2 or TE or FS.

who among Cooper, White or Parker do you think pairs up best with OBJ?

Personally, I think have two strong WR threats puts a ton of pressure on the defense (think Rice AND Taylor, Irvin AND Harper, Duper AND Clayton, Swann AND Stallworth, even Nicks AND Cruz in 2011).

Given the above, even a reduced capability Cruz in the slot as a 3rd WR (I know the Giants are paying him more than that) would really give defenses fits.

OT at #9, DE at #40, WR or CB at #74 would be a solid infusion of premium talent.

and only like maybe half a dozen of the guys this year.

They all do. I personally like White. He is a big WR that can get down field. Him and Beckham are sort of interchangeable. What mean by that is you can use both the same way. They can both get deep. They can both attack the ball at its highest point. They can take a WR screen to the house. They can run crossing routes. They can run reverses. The more I watch Cooper, though, I can see him doing very similar stuff. I wouldn't be mad with either.

Parker is different than both but still great in his own right. He reminds me of Plax. He may not be the fastest or quickest but he can get open underneath or deep. He can high point the ball.

The truth is that Beckham is a perfect complement to any WR because of how dynamic and versatile he is.

In comment 12239169 Trainmaster said:

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who among Cooper, White or Parker do you think pairs up best with OBJ? Personally, I think have two strong WR threats puts a ton of pressure on the defense (think Rice AND Taylor, Irvin AND Harper, Duper AND Clayton, Swann AND Stallworth, even Nicks AND Cruz in 2011). Given the above, even a reduced capability Cruz in the slot as a 3rd WR (I know the Giants are paying him more than that) would really give defenses fits.

I agree that 2 top shelf WR is a beastly combo, but don't begin to know near enough about the dynamics of the WR position to even take a guess which of the 3 top guys would "pair best" with OBJ. Partly, that's because OBJ can do anything himself, inside or outside, and because all 3 of the top WRS look more like outside guys than slot guys. Probably Cooper, just to guess, because he's prolly the most versatile and surely the most polished of the 3, so right of the bat Cooper and OBJ - along with Randle and a resurgent Cruz, would be awesome...

Beckham is ridiculously versatile himself, so...

(i.e. one WR is the big "go up and get it type" like Plax and another is the quick, shifty type like Cruz).

But then if a team has a big CB and a "shifty CB" they pair the big CB with the big WR and the shifty CB on the shifty WR.

However, if one has multiple "clones" (I think Brandon Marshall and A. Jeffries on the Bears last year - plus M. Bennett), you had 2 or 3 really tall WRs and likely don't have 2 or 3 CBs that can be paired well against them.

I don't think any of the 2015 WRs are as talented or versatile as OBJ. So, as someone said, OBJ compliments whoever we draft.

I still think Eli would like another tall WR to go up and get the fade route in the Red Zone.

without all his baggage? The guy is a physical beast. I know the Giants would never draft him even if he slipped to Round 2 but he has a shot to be the best of the bunch IMO. He would be a perfect red zone target with his size.

In comment 12239171 Phil in LA said:

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and only like maybe half a dozen of the guys this year.

I dunno Phil. I look at guys like Mario Alford of WVU and Ty Montgomery, see that they are projected to the 5th/6th rounds this year... Who the hell was drafted last year in the 5th round that begins to compare with those 2 this year?

Last year's 5th rounders were Devin Street (Pitt), Ryan Grant (Tulane), and Abbrederis (Wisconsin), none of whom impressed me so much as Alford and Montgomery...

Dez and Moss when they came out with red flags but turned out to be stars.

right after Cooper. Silly athleticism for his imposing size. What is he 6'5" and 2373?

Ran a sub 4.50 40 yard dash? Holey moley...

not 273...

so we can get a good one in the second,third or fourth.

In comment 12239213 tomjgiant said:

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so we can get a good one in the second,third or fourth.

You are opposed to getting a great one at 9?

Especially in our version of the west coast offense.

I feel it's either going to be Parker (assuming Cooper and White are gone) or Shane Ray.

great classes.. but will be hard to match 14'.

Cooper and White could match the top four from last year..

but not likely. Parker is a wild card. He reminds me of AJ Green without the polish.. but does represent some serious value. It'll come down to a tackle, a pass rusher, or a receiver.. hopefully the grade wins out.

In comment 12239218 Stupendamatic said:

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Especially in our version of the west coast offense. I feel it's either going to be Parker (assuming Cooper and White are gone) or Shane Ray.

Let me add to why Ray. He has two things you can't teach, AA & and relentless motor. His speed is too much for guards when he is lined up over guards and with Spags back we may be looking to resurrect the "Four Aces" Package. He has the least amount of concerns in terms of scheme fit out of all the edge rushers. He needs to get stronger, which the weight room will take care of.

none among Gregory, Dupree, and Beasley strike me as being on the same tier as Parker. Maybe Ray is or maybe Sherff is, haven't studied Peat or Colins yet...

with White is how he accelerates. He's not the most fluid or smooth athlete, Cooper certainly fits those adjectives better than White does. But White gets 0-60 so quickly it's amazing. He's so good against press-coverage because of that acceleration/strength combination. Him being clearly better against press than Cooper is an underrated little nugget that people seem to be ignoring a little too much imo. I like Cooper better overall, but White definitely has certain advantages.

Dorial Green-Beckham, there are a ton of questions with him. Both on and off the field. But I just love the way he glides on the field. Don't think I've ever seen a WR as big as DGB move as fluidly as he does, Plax comes close.

WR with OBJ so unless there is a clear BPA to be had we will pass in this draft. We can work with what we have and fill needs at other positions.

Was a late round pick for steelers last year

I'll say we need to pick a WR who'll be happy playing on the same team as OBJ. We need a team-first guy even more than we need a particular skill set, or else there'll be resentment of OBJ as the brightest star.

But anyway it seems the Giants have refocused their selection criteria to emphasize attitude, with all the captains last year, unless it was just freaky coincidence.

In comment 12239163 JonC said:

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as he could present the best value, and also the best asset to potentially rig a trade down. If they can pull it off, it would most likely be for Peat or Flowers, imv.

This^^^^.

If Parker is there at 9, it seems someone would be interested to trade up to get him. Let alone if either Cooper or White are available... But the more I look at Strong, I think If I were a GM, I wouldn't offer SO MUCH, for the chance at Parker.

Given what looks like a tier of OL among Scherff, Collins, Peat and Flowers, a trade back looks like a nice move for the Giants, unless they are banking on an OL they really like at 40 - like Tomlinson and his tier group...

Devante Parker,Loisville. Enough said,I mean c'mon. BPA all day long at 9,Even if Kevin White somehow was there. It's closer with Cooper though IMO,but Parker has the most upside of the 3 and would have likely been the 1st WR off the board had he not missed the first 7 games of the season.
Just like last year with OBJ,as Reese said,if he's available,there should be no discussion!! Pull the trigger and never look back!

I dont know if Parker is a top ten talent.

Just his watch him play over his 4 seasons at Louisville. He's never averaged under 16.2 YPC,18.6 as a Sophmore over 16.8 as a Jr,and 19.9 as a Sr in 6 games. 43 catches for 855 yards and 5 Td's in his final 6 games averaging almost 150 yards a game. He just dominated his competition and was the best Wr in CFB.
He high points and attacks the football better than anyone in this draft,and is the most dynamic athelete after the catch. He's definitely the most explosive on film of the 3 top receivers,and has the highest upside.
If he did not break his foot before the season and miss the first 7 games,we're likely talking about him as the 1st receiver off the board. If he hadn't been injured his #'s would have far surpassed Kevin Whites and likely Amari coopers as well.
While cooper runs the better routes parker has improved immensely in this area. He should continue improving in the NFL with coaching and game action,as he's shown the willingness to learn and dedication to his craft. Cooper is also more of a refined and finished product.
I'm not as enamored With Whites 4.35 40 at the combine as most. You simply don't see that kind of speed from him consistently on film! At the combine they had simulcast with Cooper,White,Parker and Devante just nudged out White to finish first with cooper trailing both.
Anything Kevin White can do Devante parker can do better IMO.
I believe White has the potential to be a terrific player if he keeps improving as he has over the past 2 years. I just believe Parker is the Superior and safer prospect!
I believe he should be the pick all the way. The value in the 2nd and 3rd rounds for OL will marry up more with need. I think it would be a big reach to draft any OL in this draft with a top 10 selection,and I also believe parker is a better prospect then any of the edge rushers.
IMO,he should be the choice. Contrary to popular belief,receiver is a need as well. With the injury to Cruz,inconsistency of Randall,and uncertainty if he'll be back after the year I believe Wr should be on the list of (needs)...
As Reese stated,they can't put all there eggs in one basket with Victor. I'm a huge Cruz fan and hope he comes back 110%,but with the type of injury he sufferd the odds are against it.
So I think Parker (should)be the pick,and the Giants would be lucky to have him IMO...

I was already sold Chilliman, but you do a good job of nailing it down... And with that "catch radius" and ability to go up for the ball at 6-3 this kid could be worth it just for what he brings in the red zone.

In comment 12239124 Section308 said:

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Nicks is done, Crabtree couldn't find a job, Hayward-bey(enough said), Kenny Britt more time in trouble than on the field, and Maclin the best of the bunch and a number 2 at best. last year came with less attention, and is looking good. For some reason Wrs college production does correlate with their aptitude as a pro.

Great call +1

I've been all for drafting this kid for months and the closer it gets to the draft,the more convinced I am that he should be the pick.
You are right about him being an excellent red zone target,with his catch radius and leaping ability I believe he could have double digit TD's in his first year. In his 4 seasons at Louisville he had 156 receptions,out of those 33 were TD's. That averages out to be a TD every 4.7 receptions. I'm no expert on percentages,but that's a pretty good ratio IMO.

it's absurd. That's Gayle Sayers at his peak, or thereabouts.

and on a mediocre/bad Bears team. btw who is Gayle Sayers? he only played 4.5 years. gees! sarcasm off.

the offense will really take off. It would help Beckham immensely. Defense would have to really plan to cover the 2 WRs, keep an eye on Cruz/Randle and never stack the box.

The run game would blast off even with the Oline we have now, IMO.

It would be very fun to watch but it would probably be short lived with the Giants luck.

In comment 12239124 Section308 said:

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Nicks is done, Crabtree couldn't find a job, Hayward-bey(enough said), Kenny Britt more time in trouble than on the field, and Maclin the best of the bunch and a number 2 at best. last year came with less attention, and is looking good. For some reason Wrs college production does correlate with their aptitude as a pro.

I thought Crabtree, Macklin & Britt all had outstanding college production.

but WRs tend to hold more value than OL and positions other than DE, which could force a team to trade up to secure him. It's probably less than a 50/50 shot for NYG to secure a trade down, but the value for OL would be stronger if they could move down in teens.

In comment 12240153 mrvax said:

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In comment 12239124 Section308 said: Quote: Nicks is done, Crabtree couldn't find a job, Hayward-bey(enough said), Kenny Britt more time in trouble than on the field, and Maclin the best of the bunch and a number 2 at best. last year came with less attention, and is looking good. For some reason Wrs college production does correlate with their aptitude as a pro. I thought Crabtree, Macklin & Britt all had outstanding college production.

Yeah I forgot how much I like Maclin that year... But both Crabtree and Britt were known bad attitude guys to different extents... And the didn't have the size/ speed ratios of the top guys coming out this year IIRC.

I could see why they would take a White @ 9. Parker im not as sure about..

In comment 12239218 Stupendamatic said:

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Especially in our version of the west coast offense. I feel it's either going to be Parker (assuming Cooper and White are gone) or Shane Ray.

Parker is too much of a risk at #9. I am not saying that regarding his ability, just in regard to his injury and potential for recurrence.

Parker has since played the best football of his life after being injured and fully recovering. So I don't see the risk you speak of! If it were going to be an issue it already would have this past season. There's nothing wrong with his foot!!!