GIANTS 101

Say the Giants are on the clock at #15 on draft day and the following players are off the board:

1) Sam Bradford 2) Ndamukong Suh 3) Gerald McCoy 4) Russell Okung 5) Eric Berry 6) Dan Williams 7) Trent Williams 8) Bryan Bulaga 9) Joe Haden 10) C.J. Spiller 11) Dez Bryant 12) Rolando McClain 13) Derrick Morgan 14) Sean Weatherspoon.  (Jimmy Clausen is doing the Aaron Rodgers slide).

While I admit the odds of this happening are slim, what do the Giants do with the 15th pick in this nightmare scenario?  Here are the options:

Trade Down - This has to be option number one for Jerry Reese.  Trade into the late first round and see who is still available later on, because none of the remaining players meet any of the Giants immediate needs.  The Giants could then grab a player in the late first round who would have good value at a position of need, for example defensive tackles Jared Odrick or Brian Price and some extra picks along the way.  Maybe even some picks for the 2011 draft.  Of course, the Giants would need a trading partner who covets a player that is still available.  It takes two to tango.

Best Player Available - Who is the BPA in this scenario?  I would say safety Earl Thomas, a hot prospect and true center fielder who is a play making safety.  Of course safety is not a need for the Giants after signing Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant, and this pick would only make sense if the Giants were truly worried about Kenny Phillips’ knee and thought Grant had little left in the tank.  Jason Pierre-Paul would be the second best player on the board, a super athletic pass rusher who was a one-year wonder at USF and is a project.  Selecting JPP here would be an issue for the Giants, because he would be stuck behind Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Mathais Kiwanuka on the depth chart as the roster stand right now.  I am all for the Giants drafting a DE and trading Umenyiora, but I have discussed that in the past, so read the archives.

Reach - The Giants could also reach for a particular player who they would be targeting later in the first round if they are unable to find a partner to trade down with.  Here are my top options:

• Jared Odrick, DT – Penn State - As we get closer to the draft, Odrick is flying up draft boards (because he can also play end in the 3-4), and I am starting to think he would not be a reach with the 15th pick.  He is a big (6’5 305lbs), strong and athletic defensive tackle that should make the Giants better up front right away.
• Maurkice Pouncey, C/OG – Florida - An athletic and powerful interior lineman who can play both guard and center in the NFL, Pouncey has quickly become one of my favorite prospects in this class.  If the Giants drafted Pouncey, he would be an immediate upgrade at left guard and Rich Seubert could go back to his role as a valuable backup.  Down the road, when Shaun O’Hara’s career comes to a close, Pouncey could easily switch to center.
• Mike Ituapi, OG – Idaho - A powerful guard who plays with a nasty streak and is a mauler in the run game, Ituapi should be a dominant lineman in the NFL.  In time.  Ituapi plays too high right now needs some serious technique work before he can become a star on the NFL level.  Did anyone else see Georgia defensive tackle Geno Atkins dominate him during the senior bowl by playing quick and staying low? I think he can be great, but it will be few years down the road.
• Taylor Mays, S – USC - If you are a regular reader of this site, you know my feelings on Mays already, so I am not going to bore you with them again.  I do think Mays has a chance, but I think Eric Berry and Earl Thomas are far and away better prospects, and I would not take Mays in the first round.  I compare him to Adam Archuleta and do not think he is worth a first round pick, and with the Giants recent additions at safety, the position is no longer a need in the first round.
• Anthony Davis, OT – Rutgers – When the draft process started, Davis was a hot name who was climbing draft boards, but questions about his work ethic and a poor combine performance killed his draft stock.  Over the past few weeks, Davis has seen his stock rise again, as he silenced some of his critics at his Pro Day. He has the look of a future Pro Bowl tackle, he is huge with quick feet and long arms.  He is probably the best pass blocking tackle in the draft and can be a force in the run game.  If a team can keep him in shape and motivated, he could be the best tackle in this draft, and I could see him making everyone who passed on him in favor of Okung, Bulaga and Williams regret it.  Giants fans, how nice would it be to have William Beatty and a motivated Davis as bookend tackles for the next ten years?
• Kareem Jackson, CB – Alabama – I am a bigger Kareem Jackson fan than most, the more times I see him on tape the more I like him, and I think he has the potential to be a shutdown corner.  Rolando McClain and Terrence Cody got all of the credit for Alabama’s fantastic defense in 2009, but it was Jackson who made sure the best opposing wide receiver was no longer an option.  At first glance it looks like the Giants are set at cornerback, but there are only four on the roster right now (Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas, Aaron Ross, Bruce Johnson) and we all know Ross has a history of hamstring injuries.  I think the Giants will probably select a cornerback with upside in the mid-rounds, but if the draft shakes out like this, I would not kill Jerry Reese for taking one here.
• Kyle Wilson, CB – Boise State - See above, except I like Jackson slightly more.  I do not think Wilson could ever develop into a true shutdown corner, but he could be very good in the right system.  He is the best press corner in the draft, is a ridiculously strong for his size, and a speedster who can become the primary return man.  A player that can make an impact on defense and special teams right away is always an attractive option.
• Brandon Graham, DE – Michigan – There has been some buzz lately that the Giants really like the pass rushing Wolverine’s defensive end, who also plays the run well.  I always thought Graham was better suited as an rush linebacker in the 3-4 defense, like fellow Michigan alum and converted DE Lamar Woodley (Steelers), but Graham showed up at the combine and measured at 6’1 268lbs and ran a 4.72 40 yard dash with 31 reps on the bench.  I would not be a fan of this pick, but supposedly Graham has some fans in the Giants front office, so I thought this was worth mentioning.

Some decent options, but this begs the question:

Should the Giants trade up to secure Rolando McClain?

This is not Jerry Reese’s style.  The biggest threat to draft McClain in front of the Giants is Denver at #12.  They could use a smart, physical leader in the middle of their 3-4 defense.  There is also recent speculation that Jacksonville (the biggest wildcard) could consider McClain with the 10th pick and move current middle linebacker Daryl Smith outside.  It is also know that the Jaguars really like Sean Weatherspoon, and will be reluctant to take another defensive end (as projected by most experts), because Derrick Harvey is struggling and Quentin Groves looks like a bust.  They also brought in Aaron Kampman this offseason.  If Rolando McClain is on the board at #9, should Jerry Reese call Buffalo and offer a package to trade up? Buffalo has more needs than any team in the league, as they are switching offenses AND defenses.  Moving back and acquiring extra picks could be very tempting to them, and I think they would have to at least listen to an offer.

Of course, knowing Jerry Reese, we will likely be welcoming the best player remaining on his board to the Giants on the 22nd.  I am just hoping that C.J. Spiller or Rolando McClain lasts until the Giants are on the clock, and someone drafts Jimmy Clausen before the fifteenth pick.

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