GIANTS 101

The 2011 NFL draft is drawing near, and many still wonder who the New York Giants will be selecting with the 19th overall pick in the draft.

The interesting thing about any draft is that it’s a mystery as to who will be picked until the commissioner walks on the stage holding the fate of a lucky young man in his hand. However, many believe the Giants are leaning towards bolstering up their offensive line with their first selection.

With drafting being such an imperfect science, the names associated with the no.19 pick are still very fluid. There are various names that could be good fits for the Giants. Who actually gets selected will depend on availability, and final draft grades depending on private work outs and visits. The difficult thing about taking a lineman this year is the fluctuation in the specific rankings of the players. 

Currently the top rated offensive tackle is Tyron Smith an underclassmen out of the University of Southern California. The junior was the the top-ranked offensive linemen coming out of high school by Scout.com and saw immediate action as a freshman. Standing at 6-5 307 pounds Smith is a physical specimen. He added some weight to his frame which has surely helped his prospects. At USC this past season Smith was the Morris Trophy winner for the Pac-10’s top lineman and was naturally named first-team all conference. He has good run and pass blocking abilities but there have been some questions regarding his instincts and awareness. Smith must get stronger as well to compete at the next level.

Nate Solder from the University of Colorado is ranked high on many experts list of top offensive tackles. He is big at 6-8 307 pounds and an 81 inch wingspan. The consensus All-American was also was named the Big 12 offensive lineman of the year and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy award. What may be most intriguing about Solder is the fact that he came to Colorado as a tight end weighing only 245 pounds. He worked hard and managed to beef up to 307 pounds and transitioned to tackle. This shows he has the upside to put on even more weight, which is something many teams would like to see. He has long arms and is spewing with athleticism. He impressed at the combine with a 32 inch vertical leap. He can squat over 600 pounds and has only eight-percent body fat. 

Boston College’s former offensive lineman Anthony Castonzo had been a four year starter dating back to his freshman year when he had to protect Matt Ryan. He possesses the size to be a tackle at the next level at 6-8 313 pounds. He started all 13 games for BC leading the way for the conference’s top rusher Montel Harris. He is easily one of the biggest offensive linemen in this year’s pool. The big thing that stands out about Castonzo is his consistency, starting 53 games over a four year career you know he has experience having taken so many snaps. Some have said that he is on the Giants hotlist and may be their favorite to be taken at 19th slot.

Hailing from the Big Ten is Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi. The 6-7 313 pound tackle was highly touted coming out of high school as a Parade All-American. He had big shoes to fill replacing the number three overall pick of the 2007 draft Joe Thomas and did not disappoint. He started every game that season and totaled 49 total starts for his career. The Outland trophy winner lined up against some of the best opposing pass rushers in the country such as Adrian Clayborn (Missouri), Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), and Cameron Heyward (Ohio State) all whom are worthy of being selected in the first round of this year’s draft. He played in a pro style offense at Wisconsin which will make the transition less difficult, especially if the season is cut short as a result of the lockout. He has all the tools to make an immediate impact on whatever team selects him.

Derek Sherrod will try to become the first player selected in the first round of the draft out of Mississippi State since 1996. He was named the high school player of the year in Mississippi in 2006 which allowed him to choose any school he wanted to attend. Having played 50 games in his career, the 6-5 320 pound lineman has plenty of experienced just like many of his draft class counterparts. The captain of his Mississippi State team, this proven leader has good agility and footwork which is essential for a protecting the quarterback. Sherrod was the catalyst for the bulldog’s 15th ranked rushing attack in the nation at 219.3 yards a game.

One thing is for sure, there is plenty of talent at the offensive lineman position. There is no clear cut top prospect and this list could be look different a few weeks from now when the draft actually takes place. You could probably pick a name out of a hat and end up with a good player, but if I was sitting in the front office of the Giants, my pick would have to go to Gabe Carimi.

First off he replaced Joe Thomas who was an instant stud when he entered the league. He has all the size and experience but what stands out the most is he played in a pro style offense. No one in the world knows how much preparation these rookies will get before the season starts, if there is a season. His transition will be easier and he has already played against top talent and proven well.

Coming from the Big-Ten he got a decent test every Saturday. Who doesn’t like a sure bet like Carimi? Getting too wrapped in the physical attributes and the hype will get you another Tony Mandarich. Your play proves it all. All of these men possess rare skills and should do well wherever they land.

Barshay Graves is a student at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and an acting intern at Giants 101.

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