Setting the New York Giants' Draft Board: Post-Combine Edition

Now that the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, we have a chance to establish a suggested draft board for the New York Giants.

Just in case Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin are Bleacher Report readers, here's what we're thinking the G-Men should be thinking with that No. 12 overall pick. 

Prospect	Position	School
1. Greg Robinson	OT	Auburn
2. Jake Matthews	OT	Texas A&M
3. Khalil Mack	OLB/DE	Buffalo
4. Kony Ealy	DE	Missouri
5. Taylor Lewan	OT	Michigan
6. Aaron Donald	DT	Pittsburgh
7. Eric Ebron	TE	North Carolina
8. Louis Nix	DT	Notre Dame
9. C.J. Mosley	LB	Alabama
10. Zack Martin	OT	Notre Dame

—It’s really a toss-up right now between Robinson and Matthews. Matthews might be more “pro-ready” but Robinson put together a dominant performance at the combine. As a result, the Auburn product has a shot above Matthews on many projected draft boards, including this one...for now.

—The reality, though, is that Robinson and Matthews both will likely be off the board before New York is on the clock with the No. 12 overall pick. If that’s the case, they can go with another talented offensive tackle in Taylor Lewan, but Lewan carries major character concerns, which is why we think the Giants might stay away. For now, we have him in the middle of the draft board, although there’s a chance he’ll be gone before the G-Men are on the clock anyway.

—That leaves two pass-rushers—Mack and Ealy—in the No. 3 and 4 spots. If we had to guess right now, we’d predict that the Giants end up with one of these two guys. It’s doubtful both slide, but at least one should. Mack is a fun prospect because he might be able to contribute as a rush-oriented outside linebacker (think: Von Miller) but also could be taught to play defensive end. Ealy is the kind of guy who could complement Jason Pierre-Paul for many years to come.

—Donald and Nix are intriguing prospects at defensive tackle, which is also an area the Giants are lacking. If they lose Linval Joseph on the free-agent market and Donald’s stock keeps climbing, he’d be a good pick in the 12 spot. Nix is clearly a step down right now, but they could land him and some extra picks by trading back a few spots.

—We placed Ebron between Donald and Nix. This team has been looking for a reliable tight end for far too long and Ebron appears to have all of the tools. The problem is that they can’t wait for him. Whoever gets drafted in this spot has to play right away, despite potential protestations from Coughlin, who likes to redshirt his rookies.

—Mosley would be a stupid pick in the 12 spot. You just don’t take linebackers who can’t rush the passer that early. But if Jon Beason escapes, and none of those top-four guys are available, I’d have no problem with the Giants trading back into the bottom part of the first round in order to take the Alabama product.

—Martin is sort of the next offensive tackle on the board. He’d also have to go later in the first round, at least based on what we’ve seen.