Can we predict who the Giants will draft based upon past performance?
Since 2007 the Giants have drafted (10) players in the first round.
There are (4) defensive backs, (2) receivers, (2) offensive linemen, (1) back, and (1) defensive lineman.The Giants drafted (7) skill position players and (3) linemen.
I think that the position is not as important than perceived need.
With the exception of Prince Amukamara, all of the picks fulfilled a significant need. In post draft interviews the Giants mantra was that
| " the player selected was the best player available who satisfied a need. The need matched the value". |
With the exception of JPP, all of the draft picks came from bigtime football programs (if Syracuse can be considered as a bigtime program). Miami leads the way with (2) players (Shockey makes 3).
None of the picks are from the West Coast. The Giants prefer players from the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten.
With the exception of Aaron Ross (25) all of the draft picks were young (20-21). Of the (10) picks (8) were early entries.
With the possible exception of Nicks, the first-round picks were clean and had no off the field issues. It helps if the player was a team captain.
The length of arms is not a reason to disqualify a player; see Amukamara, and Pugh. However, the Giants do prefer faster athletic players.
Bringing in players does not mean that the Giants will draft them. Jerry Reese in talking about Hakeem Nicks said;
Q: Did you have him (Nicks) in for a workout or a visit?
A: No, we saw enough of him. We really didn’t need to do anything else with him. People think it is a smoke screen when you bring guys in. We really don’t play those games. When we bring guys in there is a reason for it. He really didn’t have anything for us to bring him in for. |
What can we take from the past drafts?
If the Giants conform to prior trends then, the player will likely be; a clean young 20-21 underclassman, from a bigtime program, most likely from the ACC, SEC, or the Big Ten. The player will fulfill a significant need and should be fast and athletic.
Njoku, Barrnett, Watson,Trubisky, Harris, Ramzcyk, Mahomes, Peppers, McDowell, Watt, are players who could be available at 23 and fit the Giants preferred mold.
These are not players that I think that the Giants should draft, these are the types of players that the Giants seem to prefer. I would eliminate the QB's as I am not convinced that a QB is a need. That would leave (7).
