One of my favorite mocks I've completed so far, but I also don't like it because no RB's, and I think the Giants have room to draft 2 RB's in this class. Top half was all offense on this one, and back half was all defense:
23: R1P23 - OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
I know not everyone is going to agree with taking OT with what should be a great spot to get a terrific player at 23, especially with the talk that the OT's are not that great in this draft. But to me, all the more reason to make sure I get one of the very best ones at the top of the draft, because if I wait, it's unlikely I'll get a good one. The Giants have suffered long enough with OL problems. A great OL can propel a team to the playoffs. This is how you win. Eli needs a great blindside protector. I do not think the Giants absolutely must go OL in the first, but I also think this player is worth the 23rd pick and fills one of the most important needs on the team.
55: R2P23 - TE Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
In a lot of my mocks I've done, if I've seen Hodges there in the 2nd round, I take him. I think Hodges is the total package. I believe he will be a tremendous all around TE at the next level. I think he's a combo tight end whose size, leaping ability and athleticism will pay big dividends. 6'6", 257, ran a 4.57, and a 39" vert. Oh by the way, 10 1/8" hands. Yes please.
87: R3P23 - G Dion Dawkins, Temple
First time I've mocked him. But the more I think about it, the more I like this pick. I believe Dawkins is the kind of player the Giants will love. Great character, great measurables, and versatile lineman who can be an earlier interior pass protector at Guard or possibly a future RT. Athletic and strong, I think Dawkins is a third round gem in this draft. I believe Jerry was re-signed as a hedge against Pugh leaving in FA next year. I don't believe the Giants are keen on paying Pugh big FA money. An injection of talent at 2 positions early in this draft sets the Giants up for a great offensive line now and in the post-Manning era, when a new QB will possibly be cutting his teeth in the NFL, and a good line will allow him to hopefully succeed and build confidence. It's about time this issue was fixed. Imagine a line with these two on it, and Richburg, and Flowers at RT.
140: R4P33 - WR Amarah Darboh, Michigan
Size and speed, at 6'2", 214, and ran in the 4.4's, almost 10" hands. Was the leading receiver on a Michigan team that didn't throw the ball exceptionally well with Wilton Speight and in a run-oriented offense... still went for 57-862-7. Best football is ahead of him, and is the heir-apparent to Brandon Marshall opposite OBJ. I have no doubt this guy will be a very good starter at the NFL level, and could even be a star receiver one day.
167: R5P23 - DT Tanzel Smart, Tulane
Now in the defensive portion of the draft... Smart is a plus-character player, pass penetrator, high effort, who is undersized but plays with explosion and energy. I like him, not sure if he really fits the Giants mold, but I believe he's the kind of player you want to take a chance on. He had a really great Senior season for Tulane, 5.5 sacks, 19 TFL's, and first team AAC.
207: R6P23 - DE Josh Carraway, TCU
Carraway is lean, and he'll need to add weight. But he's a pass rusher with length and speed. An interesting prospect if he can add some strength and not lose speed. He's a developmental guy, and if I had to do over again, maybe I pass on him here for a Garrett Sickels, who doesn't have the length, but maximizes his 6'3", 261 lb frame that is more of what the Giants look for in a body type at DE.
241: R7P23 - CB Shaquill Griffin, UCF
He's being drafted here because he wowed the combine. A 4.38 40 (4th among DB's), a 38.5" vert (3rd among DB's), a 132" broad (2nd among DB's), and an 11.62 60 yard shuttle (5th among DB's). And he's not a small CB at 6'0". Four interceptions and 15 passes defensed last year. He's a pretty reactive corner, relying mostly on his speed and athleticism to make plays, but obviously, very athletically gifted and if he can work on the finer points of playing corner, he can turn into a real player.
A player I like late, who may not be there late, is De'Angelo Henderson of Coastal Carolina. I think he's going to be a great running back, I see some MJD in him. In my simulation, he went undrafted, and he'd be a UDFA priority for me. I think he will be drafted, maybe as soon as the 5th round. I definitely think the Giants need a RB, and I think this is the biggest flaw in this draft. I would prefer a RB no sooner than round 4, however, and I think there is plenty of potential for really good ones to be available there and in round 5 as well.
Now you can post yours, comment on mine, or talk about other prospects... let's hear it.
OLB who has a background as an edge rusher, but with the speed of a receiver, who projects as a great 4-3 WLB. Adds a playmaker to our LB corps after years of mediocrity. I see him as a potential game changer in the front 7.
2. Chris Wormley
Very high floor DT with great size. Great character and work ethic. Clean pick. Better against the run but still potential interior pass rusher. Not the highest ceiling guy, but should be able to be penciled in as the #2 DT.
3. Julie'n Davenport
An OT project who projects as potentially a very good OLT. Unlikely to start in 17, but if he can develop, we may have our OLT of the future. Sort of a reach here, but given his high ceiling and the distance between this pick and the fourth rounder, he may be worth our third.
4. Jeremy McNichols
A short running back who can do it all. Can come in on third down and fight for short yards or be a receiving threat out of the backfield. Reminds me a bit of Bradshaw. Would be a nice complement to Perkins. Not the big thumper many are looking for, maybe Jamaal Williams is preferred. McNichols also might be gone by this pick.
5. Jeremy Sprinkle
Played under Hunter Henry. Relatively under the radar in this TE class. Perhaps the most solid blocker, who also has shown red zone potential. His best football seems to be in front of him.
6. Deatrich Wise Jr.
Low floor 4-3 DE. Limited, but he has the physical make up we might be looking for. I like his fire. Solid against the run with really good size. Viewed as a slow first-step kind of edge guy, but I think he can be solid depth at least.
7. Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Injury history and small size drops Reeves-Maybin's stock, but he has potential to bulk up and may become a contributor as a WLB/MLB. Should be able to contribute on specials right away, and may become an exciting thumper up front. He's quick to the play and may be a decent cover LB.
I like the idea of drafting two OL, but the Giants have other needs as well, so they might be better served if the second of the two OL is selected on day three. We hear a lot about this being a bad year for OL, but I see a lot of intriguing prospects that are projected to go in the later rounds.
From The Huddle Report (numbers to the left of the name indicate OL rank and overall rank respectively)...
21 146 - David Sharpe
22 148 - Chad Wheeler
23 153 - Jordan Morgan
24 160 - Avery Gennesy
25 161 - Jermaine Eluemunor
26 165 - Isaac Asiata
27 167 - Damien Mama
28 173 - Conor McDermott
29 174 - Kyle Fuller
30 177 - JJ Dielman
31 181 - Erik Magnuson
OLB who has a background as an edge rusher, but with the speed of a receiver, who projects as a great 4-3 WLB. Adds a playmaker to our LB corps after years of mediocrity. I see him as a potential game changer in the front 7.
2. Chris Wormley
Very high floor DT with great size. Great character and work ethic. Clean pick. Better against the run but still potential interior pass rusher. Not the highest ceiling guy, but should be able to be penciled in as the #2 DT.
3. Julie'n Davenport
An OT project who projects as potentially a very good OLT. Unlikely to start in 17, but if he can develop, we may have our OLT of the future. Sort of a reach here, but given his high ceiling and the distance between this pick and the fourth rounder, he may be worth our third.
4. Jeremy McNichols
A short running back who can do it all. Can come in on third down and fight for short yards or be a receiving threat out of the backfield. Reminds me a bit of Bradshaw. Would be a nice complement to Perkins. Not the big thumper many are looking for, maybe Jamaal Williams is preferred. McNichols also might be gone by this pick.
5. Jeremy Sprinkle
Played under Hunter Henry. Relatively under the radar in this TE class. Perhaps the most solid blocker, who also has shown red zone potential. His best football seems to be in front of him.
6. Deatrich Wise Jr.
Low floor 4-3 DE. Limited, but he has the physical make up we might be looking for. I like his fire. Solid against the run with really good size. Viewed as a slow first-step kind of edge guy, but I think he can be solid depth at least.
7. Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Injury history and small size drops Reeves-Maybin's stock, but he has potential to bulk up and may become a contributor as a WLB/MLB. Should be able to contribute on specials right away, and may become an exciting thumper up front. He's quick to the play and may be a decent cover LB.
Like your first two picks a lot
I think you fell in love with RR and then mocked him for that reason. I find the pick has little to do with the Giants situation. Might work for another team.
Will not,happen. Giants don't do that, and if they go for a rookie kicker, it will be a UDFA which is fine. They have a kicker also, Look into Rosas.
When you are doing a fanspeak mock you take the guys that are there. There will be plenty of surprises on where guys go in the real draft anyway, happens every year.
2. DT Montravious Adams. The year we drafted Hankins, someone mentioned his name. One could see in college, he not just holds up at the point, the player makes a wide variety of types of plays. Even is we keep Hank, this is a move here.
3. Tight Ends - Shaheen (go 2 TE sets) or Hodges (useful receiver type) if one is there.
Otherwise G Isaac Asiata as a Center conversion project and insurance for questionable strategy at right guard at the moment, or switch with Lamp. Quick off the snap, heavy set, low.
4. RB in a shocker for me. I will take you-alls word for this one, Samaje Perine
alternative for 4th round - a ranked cover corner
5. A WR to get reps as an H-back. Maybe Noah Brown, Ohio,
6'2" 222 (although I see Tye doing this and FB as well) and as depth
alternative for 5th round, a big fullback
6. Reach WR like Micheal Rector Stanford
(CBS)
''STRENGTHS: Rector has very good explosiveness and top end speed, and those are his two best traits as a player. With that combination, the defensive back has to respect Rector's ability to run past him, and Rector also has good suddenness and feet, which further enables him to create separation when he isn't running a deep route. His hands are good both in traffic and outside his frame as well. ''
(plus....Stanford kids are 'smaht')
7. WRs like outside type Bug Howard or tall heavy type Ricky Seals-Jones (crap 3 cone I think I recall)
Other than that 'B+.'
and
DT Tupou in the 7th 6'3" 353
2. DT Montravious Adams. The year we drafted Hankins, someone mentioned his name. One could see in college, he not just holds up at the point, the player makes a wide variety of types of plays. Even is we keep Hank, this is a move here.
3. Tight Ends - Shaheen (go 2 TE sets) or Hodges (useful receiver type) if one is there.
Otherwise G Isaac Asiata as a Center conversion project and insurance for questionable strategy at right guard at the moment, or switch with Lamp. Quick off the snap, heavy set, low.
4. RB in a shocker for me. I will take you-alls word for this one, Samaje Perine
alternative for 4th round - a ranked cover corner
5. A WR to get reps as an H-back. Maybe Noah Brown, Ohio,
6'2" 222 (although I see Tye doing this and FB as well) and as depth
alternative for 5th round, a big fullback
6. Reach WR like Micheal Rector Stanford
(CBS)
''STRENGTHS: Rector has very good explosiveness and top end speed, and those are his two best traits as a player. With that combination, the defensive back has to respect Rector's ability to run past him, and Rector also has good suddenness and feet, which further enables him to create separation when he isn't running a deep route. His hands are good both in traffic and outside his frame as well. ''
(plus....Stanford kids are 'smaht')
7. WRs like outside type Bug Howard or tall heavy type Ricky Seals-Jones (crap 3 cone I think I recall)
I definitely don't by the Shaheen hype. In the 6th or 7th, sure maybe. I still think we need a OT in the first if one of Ramczyk or Bolles is there. I do like Lamp, however. Ricky Seals-Jones I think is going to not be an NFL factor, I believe. I am and have been intrigued by Brown.
I don't think the Giants should reach for a position. I know someone said my mock draft was an all-need draft. I think the Giants match value and need as best they can. That's what I try to do with these things. I prioritize the need if I think the players' value at the pick is comparable. It also matters how deep the position talent is. There are a lot of great corners in the draft, for example. I would prioritize OL because of scarcity, even if I needed a corner, because I can wait and get a good corner in perhaps the 3rd or 4th round, but not the OL.
There are names out there but most of the mid-round OL players are projects that will likely struggle early if pressed into action.
Optimum OL setup could then become....
Pugh
Lamp
Richburg
Fluker
Flowers
Just a different way to look at it for the hellavit....