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Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY
Between covering the Republican primary election, and being a Comcast customer (Comcast dropped the YES Network, which broadcasts Yankees' games), sports have taken a back seat lately. This past weekend, however, was the NFL Draft, which was broacast on multiple networks, even on Comcast!
While I did pay close attention to the draft, my expertise in college football is quite limited, so I'd just like to offer a few thoughts on the Giants' six newest players, based entirely on others' assessments, which I've read quite a few of.
Dan Graziano, who covers the Giants for ESPN, has a completer analysis of Big Blue's draft, which you can see here.
Here's a look at the six newest Giants, in the order in which they were drafted:
Round 1, Pick 10: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
This has been described as a "panic" pick by General Manager Jerry Reese, and I'd have to agree. That doesn't necessarily make it a bad pick, however. It's no secret that the team was targeting Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin or Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd with their #10 pick, but the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears respectively, made trades to move ahead of the G-Men and take those two off the board. Though the Giants have been criticized themselves for not moving up in the draft, such a move is easier said than done, so that criticism is unfair.
Reese called the pick of Apple, "a need pick," citing the team's lack of depth at the position. That's certainly a fair point, but the Giants' top two cornerbacks are set for 2016, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and the newly acquired Janoris Jenkins. I'd have no problem with them addressing their depth at cornerback later in the draft, but when you have a top-10 pick, you should be looking for a player who can contribute immediately. Apple is only 20-years-old and has the potential to grow into a big time player, but right now, in this draft, the pick is a bit of a stretch.
One major storyline from Thursday's first round, was the free-fall of Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil. After the combine, Tunsil was being looked at as a possible #1-overall pick. However, just minutes before the draft began, his social media accounts were hacked and a years-old video of Tunsil smoking marijuana through a gas mask was published. Teams began to panic and pass on him. He slipped all the way to #13, where the Miami Dolphins finally selected him. While it would be uncharacteristic for the Giants to bring in any player with that type of baggage, I think they messed up on this one. They could've grabbed a #1 pick at #10, and he could've contributed immediately, and filled a need for the team. The Giants still need to address their needs along the offensive line, as they went the duration of the draft, without selecting an offensive lineman. Take a look at Apple's highlight reel below.
Round 2, Pick 40: Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
In the second round, the Giants drafted an immediate need in wide receiver Sterling Shepard out of Oklahoma, and it looks as if the team got this one right. After losing Reuben Randle to the rival Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason, along with the uncertainty surrounding Victor Cruz, who has missed the majority of the last two seasons, the Giants needed to give quarterback Eli Manning another weapon to throw to. They also had to take some of the pressure off their star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. That's why the team drafted Shepard. Director of Scouting Marc Ross said he's had his eye on Shepard for several years, and always came away impressed.
Shepard was a monster in college and has drawn comparisons to Cruz, with Beckham-like speed. Shepard, however, was a second round pick out of a major college football program, while Cruz was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Massachusetts, who took the league by storm. If Shepard lives up to his hype, and Cruz can return to form from his injury woes, the Giants receiving corps is going to be scary, and Manning could have his most productive seasons, in the twilight of his career.
One knock on Shepard is his size. He's pretty small at 5'10" 193 lbs. However, scouts have said he is fearless, and will go across the middle all day long. Reese describes him as a slot receiver, while coach Ben McAdoo says he can play anywhere. Cruz had been slated to play the slot before this pick, but he's shown he can play on the outside, as well, so barring any setbacks, things are looking good for the team's receiving corps. Though they have the potential to dominate, they might be one of the smaller units in the league. When Cruz first emerged on the scene, he was the little guy at 6', but he's the biggest of the Giants' top three wide receivers, at the moment. Beckham is only 5'11", but plays the game much bigger. The Giants will look for much of the same out of Shepard. To me, this was the Giants' most intriguing pick of the whole draft, so keep your fingers crossed.
Here are some highlights from Shepard's career at Oklahoma:
Round 3, Pick 71: Darion Thompson, S, Boise State
Here's something totally unsurprising: The Giants used a draft pick on a safety. It's beginning to be a yearly ritual. Last year, the Giants traded up in the draft to select safety Landon Collins out of Alabama, and that worked out well for them. Collins made the All-Rookie Team in 2015 and the Giants only expect him to get better. However, all the other safeties recently drafted by New York, including Cooper Taylor, Nat Berhe, and Bennett Jackson. Reese's lack of success in drafting the position, explains why he has to keep trying year-after-year. If the Giants could just get this decision right, one more time, they can solidify the safety position, and the team could start focusing on other areas in the draft. Hopefully Thompson is that guy.
Reese describes Thompson as a "center fielder" and the Giants are looking for him to fill that role for them, sooner, rather than later. Big Blue is so thin at safety. Thompson will definitely have an opportunity to start right away. He's also got a reputation as a "ball hawk," which I'm sure defensive coordinator absolutely loves. When "Spags" returned to the Big Apple last season, turnovers were one (perhaps, the only) noticeable difference with the team's defense. They had 27 takeaways last season, which was tied with the World Champion Denver Broncos, for seventh in the league. Thompson is the Mountain West Conference's career leader in interceptions with 19. If Thompson works out like Reese believes he can, this could go down as a great pick that could turn the Giants' fortunes around for years to come. Let's hope they got this one right. Here are a few highlights from Thompson's career at Boise State:
The Giants used their fourth round pick on a lingering need, linebacker. This team has been tryimg tp get this one right for a while, via the draft and trades/free agency. They thought they got it right when they traded for Jon Beason a few years ago, but he couldn't stay on the field, so for the Giants, it was back to the drawing board. Enter B.J. Goodson
Goodson comes from a great college program in Clemson. The Tigers were playing for a National Championship a few months ago. However, when you start getting into the later rounds of the draft, you're more looking at players who won't contribute right away. That's not to say Goodson won't make it. The New England Patriots drafted Tom Brady in the sixth round. However, it's more likely that Goodson will contribute on special teams sooner than he will on the defensive side of the ball. Again, that's not gospel. The Giants are such a mess at the position, there's nobody who won't have an opportunity to contribute. Just don't hang your hopes on Goodson being an instant starter.
Overall, it's a good pick for Reese. The team has a need at linebacker and even if they miss on this pick, at least it was only a fourth rounder. We'll take a wait-and-see approach on Goodson and hope for the best. Check some of his Clemson highlights below.
With their fifth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected UCLA running back Paul Perkins.
The Giants used their sixth round pick on another position that they've been trying to figure out for a while, tight end. Tight end has been a revolving door for the Giants in recent years, but to their credit, they've plugged the hole pretty well. I can't really say that it's cost them too much, so it's probably not their highest priority at this point.
Round 4, Pick 109: B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson
The Giants used their fourth round pick on a lingering need, linebacker. This team has been tryimg tp get this one right for a while, via the draft and trades/free agency. They thought they got it right when they traded for Jon Beason a few years ago, but he couldn't stay on the field, so for the Giants, it was back to the drawing board. Enter B.J. GoodsonGoodson comes from a great college program in Clemson. The Tigers were playing for a National Championship a few months ago. However, when you start getting into the later rounds of the draft, you're more looking at players who won't contribute right away. That's not to say Goodson won't make it. The New England Patriots drafted Tom Brady in the sixth round. However, it's more likely that Goodson will contribute on special teams sooner than he will on the defensive side of the ball. Again, that's not gospel. The Giants are such a mess at the position, there's nobody who won't have an opportunity to contribute. Just don't hang your hopes on Goodson being an instant starter.
Overall, it's a good pick for Reese. The team has a need at linebacker and even if they miss on this pick, at least it was only a fourth rounder. We'll take a wait-and-see approach on Goodson and hope for the best. Check some of his Clemson highlights below.
Round 5, Pick 149: Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
With their fifth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected UCLA running back Paul Perkins.
To me, running back is the easiest position to fill. Give me a guy who has speed and can hold on to the ball, and I'm good to go. It's more about the offensive line giving him the time, and opening up the holes, that allows backs to be successful.
When the Giants last won the Super Bowl after the 2011 season, they did it with a seventh round pick as their top running back. Most teams around the league have shifted to a "running back by committee" philosophy, and the Giants are no different. There's no point in putting such a high burden on one player. Also, some of the best backs in the NFL, play on some of the worst teams. In a salary cap era, it's just not wise to tie up a big chunk of your payroll on one great running back, so many teams aren't doing that.
Perkins is the sixth running back on the Giants' roster, and none of the other five have been that impressive, so I expect he'll be given a chance to contribute. Not only does he have great speed, but he offers something that none of the team's other backs have. Most of the Giants ball carriers are up-and-down, ground-and-pound type runners. Perkins has the ability to cut and make tacklers miss. That bodes well for him, because he's likely the frontrunner to be New York's "change of pace" back. He's also drawn comparisons to former-Giant Tiki Barber. If he can replicate Barber on the field, I don't think any fan will complain. Hopefully he doesn't have as big a mouth off the field, as Barber did.
This is a guy to keep your eye on. Even though it's rare to have a late round pick make an immediate impact, that's not the case at running back. That combined with Perkins' uniqueness, makes this a very interesting pick. Here are Perkins' highlights from his UCLA career:
Round 6, Pick 184: Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
The Giants used their sixth round pick on another position that they've been trying to figure out for a while, tight end. Tight end has been a revolving door for the Giants in recent years, but to their credit, they've plugged the hole pretty well. I can't really say that it's cost them too much, so it's probably not their highest priority at this point.
Adams had the best 40-yard-dash time at the combine amongst tight ends, but has room to improve his route running. He certainly knows how to catch the ball, but Reese characterizes him as a better blocker than pass catcher right now. It would be nice if the Giants can find a tight end who can catch and block, because the offense tends to tip their hand to the defense, based on who is lined up at tight end. They had Martellus Bennett a few years ago, and he fit that bill. However, the team couldn't afford to re-sign him in the offseason, and he left New York for Chicago. He was the type of guy that would be great for Manning and the Giants, but again, it's not a priority, and I'm fine with that.
I see Adams as a guy who will contribute on special teams immediately, and will be given some opportunities on offense, as well. He's pretty much your typical Giants tight end of the past several seasons. Typically, you're just hoping for the best out of a sixth round pick, and maybe you'll find a diamond in the rough. That's pretty much where Big Blue is at with Adams. Check out some of Adams' college highlights below.
Round 7: No Pick
The Giants traded their 2016 seventh round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the beginning of last season, in exchange for punter Brad Wing, so they only made six selections in this draft.
Outside of a costly facemask penalty at the end of a week 8 game in New Orleans last November, Wing was excellent for the Giants last season. With that being the case, we'll just chalk this one up as a win for Big Blue. Seventh round picks are usually hit-or-miss, and the Giants "hit" on Wing, so overall, this goes down as a good decision for Reese.
Most of the draft grades I've seen have the Giants somewhere between a B- and a B. I think that's fairly accurate. I'm expecting the team's top three picks to contribute immediately, and I'm very intrigued by the selection of Perkins in the fifth round. Their picks at tight end and linebacker are on par with where they were each drafted, and anything to improve those two positions should be seen as a bonus.
Unfortunately, the Giants still have holes on both their offensive and defensive lines, and it's really to late in the game to address those needs outside of a rare trade. Maybe they've got some players waiting in the wings to fill in, or perhaps they've got their eye on some undrafted free agents. Regardless, the Giants' training camp roster is all but set at this point, and we'll just have to see how they fare.
For me, the NFL Draft marks the official beginning of the new football season, so get excited. Football is right around the corner.
