QB - QUESTION: do they believe Eli has 4+ years (high level) left? Do they believe Nassib is a viable backup? ANSWER: I think its safe to say YES is the clear answer here. POSSIBLE DRAFT STRATEGY: NONE.
RB: QUESTION: Do they believe in Andre Williams and Rashad Jennings as a 20-25 carry duo? And Vereen as a 70 catch RB? ANSWER: Again, I think this is a steady, reliable/smart, hard working...if unspectacular group. POSSIBLE DRAFT STRATEGY: NONE in my opinion but I do like the notion of a 7th rounder like Akeem Hunt or Thomas Rawls. I don't believe or like the Gurley chatter at 9.
WR: QUESTION: Do they believe Cruz will revert back to form to an above average WR2 in 2015? Is Corey Washington in their plans? Do they think Marcus Harris is an NFL WR (he was talked about so highly last training camp)? Can they see Dwayne Harris being a more productive WR than he was in Dallas? ANSWER: I have no idea. POSSIBLE DRAFT STRATEGY: I really don't think Cooper will be there at 9 and also believe that would be a luxury pick. If he was, one would think that might be a trade down option with Cleveland for the 12th pick and a 3rd rounder or the 18th pick and a 2nd rounder. If they don't go high w a WR, I'd like Lippett in Rds 3/4, Ty Montgomery in Rd 4, or Hardy in Rd 5. Crowder also a nice option.
TE: 5th round would be a nice spot for O'Leary, Boyle or Heurmann. James maybe next tier.
OL: QUESTION: With Beatty approaching 30 and historically inconsistent especially vs power, do they feel compelled to draft his replacement now (i.e. Peat who would play a year at RT)? Do they see Jones a viable backup this year (or is this a red shirt type year)? Do they think Pugh is a better RT of LG? ANSWER: I think the Beatty question is a strong yes. I think Jones has promise but drafting a guy like Marpet may be the same upside and downside (is either ready in 2015? Unlikely). POSSIBLE DRAFT STRATEGY: I think Peat makes too much sense for not only the reason that he's a LT that can play RT for a year but that he allow a Pugh move to G and possible fortifies two positions with one key position being upgraded (LT) in 2016.
DL: QUESTION: Do they think JPP is a long term guy or a very good player who may not have long term upside (relative to contract commitment)? Is Ayers likely to be ready for 2015? Do they feel as optimistic about Bromley as they did about Joseph/Hankins after their red shirt years? Do they trust Moore in terms of assignments or whatever has limited his playing time in his 1st couple of years? ANSWER: I really think they answer is NO to all of these questions. POSSIBLE DRAFT STRATEGY: I would like to draft Shelton because I think he is a game changing DT and not limited to being a NT. I don't think Reese will go this route. I think he'll go DL in Round 2/3. I can see Preston Smith, Marcus Hardison, Michael Bennett, Xavier Cooper, Carl Davis, Grady Jarrett being targets.
MLB: QUESTION: When Beason goes down with his next injury (no disrespect to him, but I don't believe its reasonable to expect anything else at this point), are they comfortable with the next man up be it McClean or the kid from Jaxsonville? ANSWER: This is a another reason why you fortify your DL i.e. w Shelton. POSSIBLE DRAFT STRATEGY: I think Ramik Wilson or Ben Heeney, two fast MLBs would be attractive in Rd 5.
OLB: Its not LT and Banks, that's for sure, but I don't see another drafted OLB this year.
CB: QUESTION: Do they want to draft Prince's 2016 right now and have the guy play a hybrid safety/3rd CB role for Spags? If so, Jalen Collins, PJ Williams or Alex Carter fit the bill because they are all good sized CBs with enough development to play this roll. Do they want to replace our nickel CB out of Va Tech? If the answer is "hell yes" then ball hawks Senquez Golson and Steven Nelson would be great graps.
Safety: We know the questions.
My mock:
1. OT Andrus Peat, Stanford, 6'7" 325
2. DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State, 6'2 294
3. CB/S Alex Carter, Stanford, 6'0 200
4. S Adrian Amos, Penn State 6'0 215
5. LB Ramik Wilson, Georgia, 6'2 240
6. TE Nick O'Leary, FSU 6'3 245
7. OG Shaq Mason, Ga Tech, 6'1 295
7a. RB Akeem Hunt, Purdue, 5'8 185
1. Help extend Eli's career by providing better protection and improving the run game. Not to mention it will send John Jerry to the bench.
2. Provide the LT of the future when WB is gone. WB is 30, and has had a roller coaster career. The 9th pick is a good spot to find the long term answer for protecting the blind side.
As far as Preston Smith is concerned, he is a plug and play 4-3 DE. He's certainly worthy of pick #40. But the Giants were 30th in run defense last season, and may consider a DT like Goldman or Davis more important.
Well done.
Further some of our scouts actually had a 1st round grade on him. He dropped b/c of the pass catching stigma. But as a pure RB they loved him.
With that said, with the investment in Vareen, Jennings and belief in Williams, I have a hard time seeing RB early unless it's an Adrien Peterson like talent and clear BPA.