Loading ...The New York Giants offseason priorities are fairly clear. They need to boost their offensive line, add depth on all levels of the defense, and unearth another offensive playmaker.
General Manager Jerry Reese prides himself of scarcely reaching for a need, so he will let the depth of the draft and the talent available dictate to him. Bearing that in mind, there are some names Reese will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on over the course of these next several days.
Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
The 6'7" 243 pound Dion Jordan is a guy who played outside linebacker in Oregon's 3-4 scheme but has the physical skills to be a very versatile pro. He lined up in a variety of places throughout his tenure at Oregon and displayed great ability to set the edge, stunt when asked to, and consistently made tackles downfield.
The Giants would love to add another body to their front seven with the ability to get to quarterbacks and play stout against the run.
NFL offenses are evolving. quarterbacks are more mobile, the tempo is quicker, and the spread (or pistol) offense has caught on. Players who have a familiarity with defending the spread offense and the mobile quarterbacks that come along with it are valuable in todays NFL.
Jordan is one of those players with a lot of room for growth both physically and mentally. His presence would help add another player cut from the Mathias Kiwanuka mold. Seeing how Jordan is able to move in space in the drills this weekend will offer a better feel as to how he will hold up if asked to play a 4-3 SAM role.
Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
Barrett Jones is a player who would fill an immediate need for the Giants: depth and versatility along the offensive line. While he played center for Alabama, he is touted as the most versatile linemen in the draft. He has the ability to play virtually the entire right side of the line including, as some believe, right tackle.
The Giants do not give away starting positions to rookies out of the gate, and while many are clamoring for an offensive linemen in the first round, it may be tempting to hold off and see if Jones slips into the second round range.
The Giants will have James Brewer, David Diehl, and likely a rookie battling for starting positions at right tackle and possibly left guard if Kevin Boothe leaves via free agency.
With a versatile body like Jones, the Giants have a bit more security moving forward at several positions. How Jones communicates his skills in interviews this week as well as how he holds up in drills that test his footwork will be a good indicator of just how versatile he is.
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford
2013 could be the year that the Giants replace one blue collar linebacker named Chase with another.
Chase Blackburn has been the quintessential over-achiever and blue collar worker for the Giants over the past decade. Chase Thomas out of Stanford is another 3-4 outside linebacker whom will be an intriguing prospect in the middle rounds.
At Stanford, Thomas was a four-year started with undeniable production (228 tackles, 50 for a loss, and 27 sacks). He was also a fantastic leader who still has regular communication with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (former Stanford defensive coordinator).
He is another player with intimate knowledge of defending these more spread-out offenses. He could be someone the Giants look to in a middle round to supplement their rotation along the front seven and help "set the edge" against teams with sideline to sideline running schemes.
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Giants need extra hands in the secondary but more specifically, they need someone who can man up against big wide receivers on the outside. The lack of size at corner is disconcerting to say the least.
Rhodes stands at 6'2", 217 pounds. Outside of Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas is the Giants only cornerback worth mentioning that stands over six feet.
Rhodes has good instincts and is not afraid to get his hands dirty in terms of making tackles (139 at Florida State). He has everything teams desire in terms of a pro cornerback. He is one of the most pro- ready players in the draft and has the tools to succeed in a zone based scheme such as the Giants.
The question will be: how fast is he?
Posting a great 40 time is something that can only boost Rhodes draft status. He is a candidate to be selected by the Giants in the 2nd round if he is available.
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I like Rivers, I do, but honestly, the man can not stay healthy.
Its just not going to happen, he will NOT be able to play 16 games, let alone 19 games.
Its just not possible.
I wish he could, he could be a phenomenal LB, but the reality is there, its a shame, but its there. Bringing him back, isn’t a risk, its a guarantee of getting a player who is going to get hurt.
We need HEALTHY players, guys who can play a full season plus the post season. Roster spots are valuable, and can’t be wasted on part time players.
Drafting Barrett Jones is a pipe dream, at best. He’s likely to be a 2nd/3rd round guy, and I just don’t think we bite the bullet for an interior lineman with needs at corner, DT and LB, all areas where you traditionally find starters in the first 3 rounds, whereas you a large contingency of starting interior linemen are either mid/late round guys, or UDFAs. I’d love a top-flight guard or center (obviously…that’s sorta been my schtick for the last 4 years), but I’d probably look later for someone.
I’ve been on the Barrett Jones train for a LONG time and would love to snag him in the draft…but unfortunately, with him having won several different awards at different positions along the OL and playing on the Crimson Tide during their championship runs against elite talent, I have to think there’s a team late in the first round or early in the second round that snags him. Really smart kid and has the tools to be a great player at the next level…I just don’t think the Giants land him.
Xavier Rhodes is one of my favorite players in the draft. I am a big FSU guy and this kid has stood out all year. He seems to have the proto-typical size that the Giants look for in their DB’s and is great at jamming his guy off the line; very physical…and can play man-up or zone coverage. Additionally, as the article states…he is a tackling machine. I am not so sure that he’s around when we pick in the second round…IF he was, I would hope they jump all over him. Ideally, if it was me picking…we would walk away with Fluker and Rhodes in the first two rounds; 2 stud players who should be able to come in and contribute immediately. With the depth at DT in this draft, if one of the top DT’s doesn’t slide to us at 19…I think that the issues along the OL and secondary need to be addressed first.
All things considered, Reese is going to have to bite the bullet on drafting an offensive lineman, defensive tackle and a linebacker utilizing either a first, second or third round pick. Either this year or next he’s going to have to do it.
So the question is not if, the question is when. If he does not, he’ll have crap for offense and defense well into the future. And I think he realizes that fact.
I’m “ALL IN” on Xavier Rhodes, hell just his name alone is awesome, ha, lol.
6’2 217lbs, has great ball skills, is pro-ball ready and has great tackling ability.
As Dan reports his 40 time might drive him up, but if Reese sees him hit a good 40, his stock will be much higher, and may go in the 1st?
Like him or hate him, Manti Te’o is all about this combine, and Reese said at his last after season, presser, he will talk with him. 6’2 255lbs his 40 also will help, but except for his poor showing in one game, if he gets behind the “girlfriend” issue, he is, imo, the best backer and ready, he might be gone if he hits a solid overall performance at this years combine. 1984 Carl Banks, and no one in sight to take the MLB position, YET, is Reese really over-looking the backer position? Will see.
CT GIANT