So we obviously have a long way to go until Draft time, but I figured I would get the ball rolling a bit.
Now, we are known to take the best player available (see Eli Apple and OBJ), but we also value youth (see Eli Apple..then again Leonard Floyd wasn't a young prospect..., David Wilson and Ereck Flowers). Reese also tends to have types that he likes. For example, he likes long, tall CBs (like Eli Apple) over smaller, feistier ones (like Vernon Hargreaves III).
In other words, who the fuck knows what Jerry Reese is going to do?
But here are nine POSSIBLE targets:
RB Christian McCaffrey of Stanford - our running game has sucked for most of the year, but Paul Perkins seems to be a bright spot this year and for the year. Even so, we need a complementary back. McCaffrey is a late-first, early second rounder, IMO.
WR Corey Davis of Western Michigan - he may have catapulted himself into a top-20 pick (then again, this is a TENTATIVE thread). I think he's the third best WR behind Mike Williams and Courtland Sutton.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster of USC - he had a very good game yesterday, which might've put him in the first round discussion. Has been plagued with inconsistency this year.
WR - Courtland Sutton - my guy. I have him as a second rounder right now, but I think he belongs in the first round discussion. Second best WR in my opinion.
TE OJ Howard of Alabama - a beast physically that was severely underutilized by Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin
TE David Njoku of Miami - amazing talent, amazing potential. Needs polish. Sy loves him.
LT Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin - my guy, but Sy thinks if he declares there's no way he'll be there when the Giants pick. Even so, the surgery and how ready he is for training camp will be crucial for him.
DE Taco Charlton of Michigan - similar build to JPP and could be his replacement if JPP walks in free agency. I think guys like Barnett, Harris, Lawson, etc. don't fit the build of what Reese likes in a 4-3 DE.
LB Jarrad Davis of Florida - Sy is very high on him. Could this be the year Reese finally takes a first round linebacker? He missed out on Floyd last year.
The Giants have to sign FA OLs. 3 of our top 6 OL are FA! They'll resign Pugh and look to upgrade RG or RT or both.
This figures to be a bit harder to mock picking so late in the round(s), but NYG could have significant needs at DE and WR.
Jon, your thoughts on Malik McDowell (sp?) from MSU?
This figures to be a bit harder to mock picking so late in the round(s), but NYG could have significant needs at DE and WR.
Jack Doyle would be nice. Or bring back Martellus.
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I expect to see a number of DEs, RBs, and possibly WRs off the board before the Giants pick. I hope the Giants can make a FA splash on the OL, this is not a good draft year to need OL help.
The Giants have to sign FA OLs. 3 of our top 6 OL are FA! They'll resign Pugh and look to upgrade RG or RT or both.
Newhouse and Beatty are the only 2 FAs this offseason. I'd like to keep Newhouse as depth add someone like whitworth to play LT.
This figures to be a bit harder to mock picking so late in the round(s), but NYG could have significant needs at DE and WR.
Definitely. But shit, it's a new year, why not talk about the Draft?? We're only a little less than four months away.
Obviously if you think howard is the actual best guy on the board take him. But taking out of need, especially af TE seems like the wrong way to go. I'd rather sign Doyle and draft a RB/WR/OG.
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In comment 13302785 Beer Man said:
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I expect to see a number of DEs, RBs, and possibly WRs off the board before the Giants pick. I hope the Giants can make a FA splash on the OL, this is not a good draft year to need OL help.
The Giants have to sign FA OLs. 3 of our top 6 OL are FA! They'll resign Pugh and look to upgrade RG or RT or both.
Newhouse and Beatty are the only 2 FAs this offseason. I'd like to keep Newhouse as depth add someone like whitworth to play LT.
I stand corrected on Pugh but Jerry, Newhouse and Beatty are FA (according to the BBI roster page) and that's one starter and the #1 backup. There will be OL FA signed.
I didn't say we had to. I think LT is the biggest need, but I'm not willing to reach on a player just to satisfy a need.
Gotcha. Agreed then
Does everyone think the team views LT as a need? I don't know that Reese and McAdoo see LT as needing additional resources.
If Reuben Foster were to somehow drop, I'd snatch him up in a heartbeat. Think Landon Collins but as a bigger LB. Incredibly violent striker with the speed to cover TEs, RBs, WRs. I think he'll run in the 4.5s with great 10 yd splits.
Also a huge fan of Malik Hooker from Ohio State. Safety may not seem a need with LC and Thompson but you cannot pass ont his kid. He will lock up a secondary thats better than the Legion of Doom. Great pickup late rd 1.
I'd also invest in DeMarcus Walker from FSU. Love him as a DE on the other side of Vernon. Kid is special playing DT too.
I'll throw another name out there...not as a 1st rounder but if we can trade down to early 2nd...Bucky Hodges. 6'7" WR/TE who could be a formidable complement to OBJ, and could easily play outside for us -- he does more often than not for VT. A bigger Plax who would give Eli a huge target.
And then there's one of my what I thought was a small school sleeper pick, WR Connor Kupp, who is seemingly shooting up draft boards. When he was supposed to go mid-3rd I was all over him; now looks like late 2nd, and that would be fine for me if his speed checks out at the Combine...btw, I've not seen him caught from behind in any highlight I've watched; indeed when chased he separates. 6'2", 215 lbs, great hands, plays outside and slot, holds school and conference records for receiving.
Does everyone think the team views LT as a need? I don't know that Reese and McAdoo see LT as needing additional resources.
It would be an anomaly for a mistake to be admitted after only two years.
Much more fun to discuss when the team's on the rise.
Much more fun to discuss when the team's on the rise.
Thanks, Jon, and back atcha, my friend!
I agree about several things, Jon. I think that Goodson may well replace Sheppard as our run-stuffing MLB, but think that if a stud MLB or OLB is there for us it might be tempting to make the defense that much more of a challenge to play against.
And, yup, LOTS of RBs in this draft, and if Perkins is seen as our lead RB, we don't need to use a #1 for our second RB...unless a gamebreaker is there for us.
And it IS nice to feel that we're on the cusp of something special if a few things break right for us in FA and the draft.
If Reuben Foster were to somehow drop, I'd snatch him up in a heartbeat. Think Landon Collins but as a bigger LB. Incredibly violent striker with the speed to cover TEs, RBs, WRs. I think he'll run in the 4.5s with great 10 yd splits.
Also a huge fan of Malik Hooker from Ohio State. Safety may not seem a need with LC and Thompson but you cannot pass ont his kid. He will lock up a secondary thats better than the Legion of Doom. Great pickup late rd 1.
I'd also invest in DeMarcus Walker from FSU. Love him as a DE on the other side of Vernon. Kid is special playing DT too.
Hooker could be a top 10 pick. Agree on Foster but don't think he'll last to the 20s and doubt Reese would take him anyway.
A tall, physical outside WR to go opposite OBJ, leaving Shephard to the slot (this assumes no Cruz or a pay cut and demotion to WR4/Slot2).
Defensive line help, either a penetrating interior lineman or a rotational DE to put in the mix with Vernon, JPP (hope he is resigned), Romeo and the rest.
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Happy New Year to you. I think Goodson might be the MIKE next season and wonder if they'll value an RB high enough in this crop. The league as a whole tends to devalue them; some good runners are available in rounds 3 with regularity.
Much more fun to discuss when the team's on the rise.
Thanks, Jon, and back atcha, my friend!
I agree about several things, Jon. I think that Goodson may well replace Sheppard as our run-stuffing MLB, but think that if a stud MLB or OLB is there for us it might be tempting to make the defense that much more of a challenge to play against.
And, yup, LOTS of RBs in this draft, and if Perkins is seen as our lead RB, we don't need to use a #1 for our second RB...unless a gamebreaker is there for us.
And it IS nice to feel that we're on the cusp of something special if a few things break right for us in FA and the draft.
If Reuben Foster were to somehow drop, I'd snatch him up in a heartbeat. Think Landon Collins but as a bigger LB. Incredibly violent striker with the speed to cover TEs, RBs, WRs. I think he'll run in the 4.5s with great 10 yd splits.
Also a huge fan of Malik Hooker from Ohio State. Safety may not seem a need with LC and Thompson but you cannot pass ont his kid. He will lock up a secondary thats better than the Legion of Doom. Great pickup late rd 1.
I'd also invest in DeMarcus Walker from FSU. Love him as a DE on the other side of Vernon. Kid is special playing DT too.
I think Howard is good at blocking. He looks really well rounded. Though getting a playmaker on D wouldn't be terrible.
If we can get Cowboy OG Leary he is an upgrade over OG J. Jerry. But I would not be surprised if the Giants offer Jerry a deal either. This is a thin OL group.
We have to trust that Solari can work with our OT's this off-season, maybe have them go to that OL camp in AZ, and they improve their play enough to be at least "average / acceptable" in pass protection. That is both Flowers and Hart of course.
Year 2 with Solari will be better than year 1. It has to be because by and large we've sucked on the edges.
If we can get Cowboy OG Leary he is an upgrade over OG J. Jerry. But I would not be surprised if the Giants offer Jerry a deal either. This is a thin OL group.
We have to trust that Solari can work with our OT's this off-season, maybe have them go to that OL camp in AZ, and they improve their play enough to be at least "average / acceptable" in pass protection. That is both Flowers and Hart of course.
Year 2 with Solari will be better than year 1. It has to be because by and large we've sucked on the edges.
Andrew Whitworth!
He didn't rob us. He was signed as a depth backup when Newhouse went down. He was a last resort when we picked him up, and was treated that way. Seems to me he earned his money just like some of the other guys who are at the fringes of the roster. And that's by being available if needed.
top TE's also a top RB to go with Perkins I like
Foreman I think he is gonna be a beast .
WR with size I wonder if there will be a worthwhile pick
at that point . Wouldn't mind Ruben Foster for the D either
That went out the window with his bowl performance. Like Sy said, he could be looking at a top 10 pick.
Agree. He'd be a terrific pick for the Giants. One can still hope (trade up).
Year 2 with Solari will be better than year 1. It has to be because by and large we've sucked on the edges.
Andrew Whitworth!
Over the course of the games I saw and in youtube highlights, he showed some of the same flaws in pass protection as Flowers; bending at the waist, overextending, and not sinking into his squat. But in the FSU/Michigan bowl game, against a taller guy in Charlton, he was much more balanced (not that Charlton didn't get over on him several times).
He will likely go somewhere between 25-40. He's a guy with potential, but nothing like a finished prospect. I'd rather trade a 1 and 3 for Ramczyk than take him, because RR is a plug and play starter imo.
WR Ju Ju Smith Shuster USC - has Dez Bryant type physical ability and some Dez Bryant type diva in him. Buyer beware.
WR Corey Davis Western Michigan - showed he could play with the big boys in their bowl game. Reminds me of Kevin White (W Virginia). Seems to be a good kid too. Clean pick.
DE DeMarcus Walker Florida State - physically almost a clone of Olivier Vernon except with more power. Can rush from the outside and the inside (15 sacks this year). Plays the run equally well. Thick and powerful from top to bottom. Team captain. Giants type of pick.
CB Adoree Jackson USC - gifted athlete who can do it all for a team (assuming his knee is okay). A little small for the Giants liking as a CB but the athletic skills may be too good to pass up.
CB Marshon Lattimore Ohio State - Giants sized CB from a big school. Would be a replacement for DRC if he goes elsewhere which I hope he doesn't.
Last possibility as things currently stand would be OLB Tim Williams from Alabama if he falls about 8-10 spots. It could happen if teams are less than impressed with his interviews and his recent off field baggage. He would create an instant problem for any O line on passing downs.
So that's it for now. But you can rest pretty comfortable it won't be a QB (yet), a LT (what start all over) or a TE (none good enough for this pick).
2) WR Courtland Sutton of SMU
3) LB Duke Riley of LSU
4) RB Jamaal Williams of BYU or Brian Hill of Wyoming
5) CB Damontae Kazee of San Diego State
6) DT Larry Ogunjobi of Charlotte
7) OG Greg Pyke of Georgia
BTW, look at some of the Cooper Kupp highlights and tell me what you think...I believe that he can be an impact player on a team like ours.
1. OT Ryan Ramczyk - not sure how bad his injury is
2. DE Harold Landry BC - huge fan... think he plays the run better than most other DEs and gets to the QB
3. WR Chad Hansen Cal - if you don't know yet... you will... he may be a 2nd rounder
4. DT Davon Godchaux LSU - like his game. Not sure if he will be here.
5. CB Brandon Facyson VT - like what i saw... not sure where he is ranked but wouldn't shock me if he is a 2nd rounder. CB position is really deep this year.
6. QB Davis Webb Cal - has a big arm with decent accuracy, but locks onto targets and isn't great and getting through reads. Again who knows where he will shake out. He will be at the SR bowl.
7. WR Dupri or Duval from LSU - they both will probably run like the wind, but their passing offense was so bad i would bet one of them falls and i take a chance on a raw talented WR
Really like OJ Howard a lot. Think he is the best TE. Also like Njoku a lot too. I think Curtis Samuel is amazing but is so different i don't think i could just use him as a WR. Curious where Donta Foreman will shake out too. So big and powerful. He could be a first rounder or a 4th rounder. If DT Vita Vea Washington comes out he would go on my list very quickly. Kid is a beast! This is a great draft!
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you must be kidding. He robbed the Giants this year.
He didn't rob us. He was signed as a depth backup when Newhouse went down. He was a last resort when we picked him up, and was treated that way. Seems to me he earned his money just like some of the other guys who are at the fringes of the roster. And that's by being available if needed.
X, that's like saying you pissed your car insurance premiums away last year because you never had a claim.
BTW, look at some of the Cooper Kupp highlights and tell me what you think...I believe that he can be an impact player on a team like ours.
I agree with you there. From the U games that I've seen, Njoku rarely had his hand in the dirt and was blocking. He mainly lined up more in the receiver role than as an inline blocking TE. And why not? The kid is a freak athletically the likes of which we haven't seen since who? Vernon Davis? Gronk? So yeah, perhaps OJ Howard would be a better fit, but Njoku may have a bit more potential as a receiver. Both are beasts though, IMO.
I'll look at Kupp later. I've heard great things about him though.
In comment 13303568 XBRONX said: you must be kidding. He robbed the Giants this year.
X, that's like saying you pissed your car insurance premiums away last year because you never had a claim.
Except they had a claim and Beatty was nowhere to be found. So it's like buying insurance and then finding out the insurance company went belly up when you put in a claim.
I agree. I think Howard is more ready (especially blocking) now and has the higher floor, but Njoku has the higher ceiling and offers more in the passing game.