GIANTS 101

The knowledgeable fans on this site are familiar with the players expected to be drafted in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.  However, where NFL GMs make decisions that keep their jobs down the road are finding solid players with their mid-late round picks.  These are some of the hidden gems on the defensive side of the ball in the 2010 NFL Draft, players I expect to go in the mid-late rounds that could have an impact in the future.

• DE/DT – C.J. Wilson, East Carolina - One of those End/Tackle hybrids who can play multiple positions and fits in both the 3-4 and 4-3 front, Wilson is a rising prospect at the moment.  He has good size (6’3 290lbs) and had an outstanding combine workout (32 reps on the bench, 4.82 40 yard dash).  I think he could be a 4th rounder who could provide immediate depth on the D-Line.
• DE – Clifton Geathers, South Carolina - One of my top sleepers in the 2010 draft, Geathers is huge (6’8 299lbs) defensive end who could surprise some people early in his career.  Geathers has an NFL pedigree (his brother Robert is a Bengal, his father Robert Sr. played for the Bills, and of course his uncle is legend “Jumpy” Geathers).  He probably should have stayed at South Carolina one more year, since he was not super productive in 2009, but he could be a steal in the 5th round.
• DT/DE – Vince Oghobaase, Duke – Entering the 2009 season, there was some buzz that Oghobasse could be a first round pick in the 2010 draft following a big junior season.  Instead, he struggled in 2009 and his draft stock plummeted.  Then the 6’5 303lb Oghobaase struggled badly at the combine, only running the 40 in 5.43, a terrible time.  I think he could still be a productive NFL player and could end up as a 5th round steal.
• DE/DT – Arthur Jones, Syracuse - Always a hot name on Giants sites, since he is a Syarcuse prospect, Jones looked to have a breakout senior season following an outstanding junior campaign.  It never happened due to knee surgery, and the 6’3 301 Jones is still unable to workout for scouts.  The uncertainty surrounding Jones may knock him into the 4th round, where he could be a steal.
• DT – Torrell Troup, UCF – The big nose tackle (6’2 314bs) Troup is gaining serious momentum as we get closer to draft day.  Troup ran a 5.1 40 yard dash and is a run stuffer that can also pressure the quarterback a bit.  He is also a team leader who plays with a nasty streak and his teammates love him.  I think he is going to be a 3rd round pick in April.
• DT – Linval Joseph, East Carolina - The underclassmen is a monster at 6’4 328lbs and blew scouts away by running a 5.11 40 yard dash and throwing 225lbs around 39 times.  That is freakish, and he was also pretty productive on the field.  I am starting the movement right now.  Linval Joseph to the Giants in round 3.  Whose with me? (I just remembered, the GMen are 0-1 with defensive tackles named Joseph…bad omen?)
• DE/OLB – Arthur Moats, James Madison - A defensive end in college, Moats is too small (6′ 246lbs) to hold up at end in the NFL and he will have to transition to 3-4 outside linebacker.  He ran a 4.66 40 yard dash and notched 24 reps on the bench at the combine and will be able to pressure the quarterback on the next level.  A 3-4 team will take him in the 5th round, and he should enjoy some success in the big leagues.  Had 23.5 TFL and 11 sacks as a senior and 11.5 sacks as a junior.
• OLB/DE – Eric Norwood, South Carolina - I watch a ton of SEC football, and Eric Norwood was one of the players that stood out 2009.  The clear leader of the defense, he was all over the field for South Carolina and brought a ton of pressure.  He does not have the measurables (6′ 245lbs, 4.70 40 yard dash) but the numbers are there (62 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, 7.0 sacks, 2 blocked kicks) and I think he will be a steal in the 3rd-4th round.  I am surprised we are not hearing more buzz around him at this point of the process.
• OLB/DE – Dexter Davis, Arizona State - The 6’2 244lb Davis was once thought of as the next Terrell Suggs out of Arizona State.  He had a great sophomore year (10.5 sacks) and an outstanding junior year (11 sacks, 15 TFL) and scouts watched him closely.  He fell apart as a senior, with just 3.5 sacks and dropped down draft boards, but he was dealing with injuries and the value is still there.  I think he may last as late as the 5th round.
• OLB – Renee Curran, Georgia – At just 5’11 (which I think is generous) Curran is thickly built at 235 lbs of solid muscle.  What stood out to me about Curran at UGA is how his hits sounded.  He hits like a ton of bricks.  He is not the most physically gifted linebacker in the draft, but the underclassman knows how to play the game and may be a steal in the 4th round.
• OLB – Dekoda Watson, Florida State - A safety at FSU, Watson is converting to outside linebacker and turned some heads at the combine.  He was able to bulk up to 240lbs and ran a 4.55 40 yard dash, proving he would not loose speed as he added weight.  Watson could now be a steal in the 4th round as a weakside linebacker in the NFL.
• ILB – Donald Butler, Washington - With all of the talk on Giants boards about inside linebackers, I am surprised Butler’s name has not been brought up more often.  Butler is athletic at 6’1 235lbs and ran a 4.61 40-yard dash followed by an amazing 35 bench press reps.  He may not be that good of a football player yet and you can see him get out of place and make some mistakes on tape, but he has the skills to develop and would fit in the middle of the Tampa-2.  He also has had some injury concerns, but could be a steal in the 4th round.
• ILB – Mike McLaughin, Boston College - BC’s defensive captain was a productive player in college, and although he did not test well at the combine, he could be a steal in the 6th round of the 2010 draft.  The 6′ 242lb inside linebacker ran a 4.84 40 yard dash a 38.5″ vertical and 29 reps on the bench at the combine.
• CB – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana of PA - At one point considered the top sleeper in the draft, I almost feel bad including him on this list, because he is so well known now.  He had a freakish Pro Day at 6’1 207lbs he ran a 4.31 40 yard dash and benched 225lbs 19 times.  He has a lot to learn about playing the game, but he already is a fantastic kick and punt returner and special teams gunner.  He will instantly upgrade someone’s special teams as he learns cornerback, and he is probably a 3rd rounder.
• CB – A.J. Jefferson, Fresno State – One of Mike Mayock’s favorite sleepers in this draft, Jefferson is a project as a corner, but is a fantastic return man and special teamer.  He averaged 29.3 yards per return as a junior and about 24 as a senior.  He had a great combine, at 6′ 186lbs, he ran a 4.43 40 yard dash and a ridiculous 44″ vertical jump.  Probably a 4th rounder.
• CB – Walter Thurmond, Oregon - Thurmond was one of the top cornerback prospects in the nation coming into the 2009 season, but a knee injury limited him to just four games, and his stock took a major hit.  He will not test his knee until sometime in April, and it is unknown if he will run for scouts before the draft, but his upside may be worth a gamble in the 5th-6th round.
• S – Kurt Coleman, Ohio State - In a deep safety class, Coleman’s name has been under the radar after an unimpressive combine, but there is no doubt he can play.  Coleman made the All-Big Ten first team with 68 tackles and five picks as a senior, but his combine did not stand out, running 4.52 and getting 19 reps on the bench.  I think he is very underrated and will surely be on an NFL roster as a 5th round pick.
• S – Major Wright, Florida – A familiar name, Wright was a huge part of Florida’s national championship defense in 2008 and was a very productive college player, notching 150 tackles, 8 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles in three seasons at UF.  Due to the deep safety class and size (5’11 206lbs) concerns he will slide into the 4th round.
• S – Robert Johnson, Utah - An All-Mountain West first team selection, the 6’2 203lb Johnson had 70 tackles and 6 interceptions as a senior.  He struggled at the combine (4.58 40 yard dash) but develop into a starter in the NFL, who should make a roster as depth to start.  Probably drafted in the 6th.

NOTES:

• The Giants resigned punter veteran punter Jeff Feagles to a one year deal today.  He cannot boom the ball downfield anymore, but given a shorter field, he is still the best directional punter of all time.  I am very glad the 44 year old will be back for another season.
• The Giants are hosting free agent safety Deon Grant today.  The 6’2 215lb veteran has been a solid player throughout ten-year NFL career with Carolina, Jacksonville and most recently Seattle.  He had 78 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble for the Seahawks last season, and was only released because his skills have started to diminish and he was overpaid ($11 million remaining over two years).  If the Giants sign Grant, he will be in competition with Michael Johnson as the third safety and would provide Kenny Phillips insurance.  The other will likely be the fourth safety, and I would expect C.C. Brown to be released.  Grant is extremely durable, never missing a game over his career, which is something that only a select few players can say.
• The Giants will host Holy Cross quarterback Dominic Randolph.

3:15 UPDATE:

- The New York Giants have signed safety Deon Grant and removed their tender offer to C.C. Brown.

- The team ha also re-signed OL Kevin Boothe.

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