Your pick for most important draft selection by JR & co.?

Is injuries to our corners or Cruz where Apple or Shepard will be leaned on just as much as DT.

Is always your first rounder (this year top 10). You can't miss on that one!

Even if Cruz is healthy, Shepard will get plenty of reps as the #3. And it's far from a given that Thompson opens the year as the starting free safety. Unless injuries pave the way for him, I would expect Thompson to start out in sub packages (big nickel) and special teams.

because it has the highest value.

immediate impact. For that, I am not sure. But taking as asked -most important- I agree with others: the most important to the franchise has to be the first round pick.

You are talking about a top 10 overall selection and first for the new head coach. That is a player who you want/expect to be a linchpin for the regime. In a lot of situations this is where you select your franchise QB or starting left tackle. It is not just a routine selection.

Given the Cruz uncertainty and lack of WR depth, Sheppard will turn out being the most important pick.

In comment 12964699 robbieballs2003 said:

Quote:

Is injuries to our corners or Cruz where Apple or Shepard will be leaned on just as much as DT.

Well that was my thinking spot on. Obviously Cruz or either of the vet starting corners not playing for a stretch would change the equation. As would any of the other young safeties winning the starting FS job outright...

But it's more than that even... it's the decent chance DT has of becoming the signal caller for the back seven on D. Either starting game 1 or even ascending to that role later in the season.

It's a heady responsibility WRs and CBs don't have under any circumstances.

Perkins is going to be huge this year. Sheppard is the save bet.

.

Thompson having the biggest potential but because of the position. If we had a legit FS last season we probably win 2 to 3 more games simply by not choking away so many huge leads in the 4th.

draft selection.

Apple into the Nickel package.

Perkins into the running back rotation

Allen possible starter at TE.

Goodsen has a chance to be one of the top 3 LBers.

Thompson although less likely, also has a chance to be starting FS.

Any or all might be the answer

The secondary can be a major strength of the team, kind of like the 1990 defense. Young safety's with vet CB's. If our pass rush can get going I think many throws will be rushed and our new FS could be a pick machine

Shepard.

Shepard is an easy choice, but with Shepard, Eli is going to throw for 4,000 yards. Without Shepard, Eli would have thrown for 4,000 yards. Maybe a little less - Shepard will make an impact, but that offense is already pretty good.

B.J. GOODSON is going to make an immediate impact. I predict he's starting opening day, predict that with the revamped DL, this kid is going to have the space, speed, mobility and most importantly the block shedding POWER and tackling ability to turn a glaring weakness into a team strength.

Thompson is a nice safety, and I think he, Bennet and Apple tremendously upgrade the defensive backfield, but we full well know that both Bennett and Thompson are burnable and will give up some big plays - I don't see 'big play' weaknesses in Goodson's game.

I'm pretty psyched for the season. And pretty confident that this was Reeses' best draft by a mile.

Time will tell.

both Apple and Thompson. Hard to really argue with the other picks (reasonable people, that is). Apple will be compared to Floyd and Hargreaves, and Thompson to the Safety from BC. I do agree that the most important one for THIS year is Thompson, as they currently don't have a starter at FS.

But most important isn't defined by earliest significant contribution.

By the start of the 2018 season we'll have an idea of whose Giants career will carry the most impact. That guy will be the 'most important' pick.

He needs to be a very solid starter and resign.

You could live without any of the others.. Shepard is changing, without him the offense will be hurting, with him the offense is dominant.
Most critical and most likely to succeed.

Most Important: Apple; can't miss on a top 10 pick

Quickest Impact: Sheppard; even if Cruz is healthy he'll get plenty of targets, and defenses won't really have a choice but to cover him 1 on 1.

Thompson will have to beat out at least 3 guys.

Perkins would be my second most likely but someone will have to get hurt before he sees much playing time.

though I have to say Jerry appears to have done quite well overall this year

I guess we'll see lots of variations on spelling his name

But Goodson is the one I want to succeed the most. So tired of the many years of mediocre to terrible linebackers.

Or important as any guy we've drafted this year because the Mike can be the brains of the entire defense. But I can't see Goodson taking that over this year. Thompson was a 4 year starter; Goodson only 1 year. It will almost surely take him time to work into the role of being Spag's extension brain on the field, like AP was.

Shepard. Either him contributing directly, or taking pressure off OBJ he should help tremendously. Presumably, you'd have to continue to double OBJ so then Shepard's contributions might be apparent.

Apple--more longer term and complementary to the secondary, this year. If he doesn't get too many penalties, he should help as a really good contributor.

Most important?
Carl in CT : 6:03 am : link : reply
Is always your first rounder (this year top 10). You can't miss on that one!

At #10 You would expect an Impact but with Apple
we may not see an Impact this year ...

With that said Its Thompson followed by Sheppard .
Thompson Needs to Start and Fill the Gaping whole
that can Change Our back 7 immensely .
Collins can Focus on his Best Position SS .
If the Pass Rush is above average than we
should see a significant Uptick in Turnovers .
Sheppard is kind of a No-Brainer with Cruz
being a Question Mark and the Loss of Randle .