Three Potential "Steals" for the New York Giants in the NFL Draft

Heading into the 2009 NFL Draft, as a casual fan you might not be familiar with the potential draftees past the first two rounds. In case you fall under that category, here are some names you may or may not have heard of that could be season changing picks for the New York Giants.

Ramses Barden WR, Cal Poly

Ramses Barden is someone who looks like he was chiseled out of rock. The physical presence he brings to the table is nothing short of intimidating. Standing at 6'6" and 230 lbs., he may be able to wash the Plaxico Burress taste out of everyone's mouth.

Skeptics wonder if he has the type of game speed to be a successful NFL wide receiver. I'd say running a 4.51 at his pro day (and a reported 4.4-something unofficial time) ended any notion that he can't run with the big boys. Even if he cannot, he will still out jump them.

One game in the 2008 season, he torched Weber St. with nine catches, 219 yards, and four touchdowns. He followed that incredible performance in a win against Idaho with 10 catches, 268 yards, and three touchdowns. He finished his senior year with 68 catches, 1257 yards, and 18 touchdowns; effectively catching the eyes of NFL scouts.

He has an incredibly high ceiling, and with the right coaching could turn into a Plaxico Burress type of player.

Rashad Jennings RB, Liberty

The best player on one of the best 1-AA teams in 2008, Jennings has incredible speed to add to his 6'1" 231 lbs. pound frame.

He ran a 4.52 at his pro day and was a transfer out of Pittsburgh due to family issues. Nobody would be talking about LeSean McCoy had this guy not left the program.

This may be a chance for the Giants to get a cheaper version of Chris wells. Their 40 times are almost identical, and Jennings is much stronger, getting four more reps on the 225 bench than Wells.

They are the same height and only differ by about five pounds.

While several people believe they need to go after McCoy or Moreno in round two, I believe they can replace Ward with Bradshaw as the speed back, and have Jennings and Ware there for depth. If Danny Ware does not pan out like the Giants hope, Jennings can step in and be that third tailback.

Lydon Murtha OT, Nebraska

Here is someone who you may not have heard of. With this selection, the Giants can not only solve the problem of offensive tackle depth, but they can also afford to wait until the fifth or sixth round to do so.

Murtha stands 6'7," weighs 306 pounds, and ran a 4.89 forty. I'm not sure if you've ever seen a big man run a sub-5.0 forty, but it is very intimidating to say the least. Not only that, his vertical jump at the combine was 35." Suffice it to say you don't want to find yourself on a basketball court with this kid, much less a football field.

A few interesting notes; the 4.89 was the fastest forty time at his position in the last 10 years, and the 4.35 20 yard shuffle was the second fastest in the history of the combine at his position. Quick feet are extremely important for an offensive lineman, as I'm sure many of you know.

I don't know about you, but I'm very confident in the Giants offensive line staff. If they select Murtha, they could be getting a future pro bowler.