New York Giants' Initial 2015 Round-by-Round Draft Big Board
Making up a team’s draft board is no easy task.
There are opinions—lots of them and often conflicting—about what positions are priorities, what players are the best fits for what the coaches want to do and what long-term value each prospective draft pick has to offer.
The New York Giants will soon undertake that challenge of putting together their annual big board of prospects in advance of this year’s NFL draft.
In the meantime, here is my very, very early look at a potential “big board” in which I rank the areas of need according to round and then look at a couple of candidates in each round as a potential fit for Big Blue.
Round 1: Offensive Tackle
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It’s no great secret that the Giants' running game struggled this year, finishing 23rd in the NFL (100.1 yards per game).
A large part of the reason behind that ranking isn’t so much the injuries to starting running back Rashad Jennings (which did play a part in the running game struggles, though again, wasn’t the sole reason.
Rather, how many times did the offensive line fail to enforce its will in the trenches, moving defenders out of holes and off the point of attack?
The answer is not as often as you would think, and the stats certainly reflect that. A legitimate road-grader in the mold of retired offensive lineman Chris Snee should help fix that.
According to NFL Draft Scout, the offensive tackle class, as of right now, seems to be richer in potential first-round prospects than it does at the guard position.
Moreover, this draft class appears to have several offensive tackles whose skill set appears to transfer to offensive tackle (and not guard, as so many Giants draft picks who were college tackles).
If the Giants are looking at a potential starter in the first round who can step in and play right tackle right away, thus pushing the versatile Justin Pugh inside to left guard where, according to his 2013 NFL draft profile, he was projected to be a better fit.
Here is a look at three offensive tackles who might fit the Giants’ perceived need if they go that route in Round 1:
Brandon Scherff, 6’5”, 320 lbs, Iowa
Per Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of NFL Draft Scout, Scherff’s “upper body strength, along with proper hand placement and good knee bend, make Scherff a force in the running game.” He could be just the missing ingredient New York needs to get the running game back into the top half of the NFL in 2015.
Andrus Peat, 6’7”, 312 lbs, Stanford
Peat has a broad base and a long wingspan that conjures up memories of former Giants right tackle Kareem McKenzie, who was a solid run-blocker in his prime.
Rob Rang of NFL Draft Scout notes that Peat possesses “surprising quickness off the snap” and has the quick, balanced feet to get out to the second level where he “can adjust to moving targets.”
Cedric Ogbuehi, 6’5”, 300 lbs, Texas A&M
When you think of someone who can impose his will on an opponent, Ogbuehi sounds like he fits the bill. Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout praise Ogbuehi for his smooth footwork and power that can drive opponents off the ball.
Want another reason to like Ogbuehi? He has started at left guard and right tackle, though he projects to tackle in the pros. Rang and Brugler note that the youngster “can adjust in space when run blocking at the second level.”
Round 2: Inside Linebacker
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It’s no big secret that the Giants, for whatever the reason, have been allergic to drafting linebackers in the first and second rounds of late, their last such pick being Clint Sintim, drafted with the 45th overall pick of the 2009 draft.
Since then, the Giants seem to have had some success with drafting linebackers on Day 3. Jacquian Williams was a sixth-round pick in 2011 who went on to become a starter as did Devon Kennard a fifth-round pick in 2014.
So why might the Giants look to draft a linebacker earlier?
Williams is an unrestricted free agent who saw his season end due to a significant concussion. Even when he was healthy, he made very few game-defining plays close to the line of scrimmage and just seemed to lack instincts in coverage.
Backups Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger are also unrestricted free agents this year. Of the two, Herzlich figures to be re-signed, while Paysinger, who, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), saw his defensive game snaps sharply decline from 707 in 2013 to 81 in 2014, does not appear to be in the team’s future plans.
Jon Beason, the defensive co-captain and middle linebacker, is a dynamic force and perhaps the best of the Giants’ bunch from the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
However, his injury history and his age—he turned 30 this month—is enough to give one pause when talking about the long-term future of the defense.
That brings us back to the draft. If the Giants are looking for an outside linebacker to prepare for the passing of the baton from incumbent starting strong-side linebacker Jameel McClain, then it makes sense to wait until Day 3 to make that pick.
If, however, they want to start preparing the passing of the baton from Beason to a successor, Round 2 might be the way to go.
Here is a look at the top two inside linebackers who might fit the Giants’ need if they draft for the position in the second round:
Denzel Perryman, 5’11”, 242 lbs, Miami (Fla.)
Although NFL Draft Scout currently lists Perryman, a Hurricanes team captain, as the third-best inside linebacker prospect, there is a lot to like about this young man’s game.
He possesses the instincts for the position, is a solid hitter and has good closing speed, all traits that can help a run defense.
Eric Kendricks, 6’0”, 230 lbs, UCLA
The younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks, Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of NFL Draft Scout consider Kendricks as their “top senior prospect” at the inside linebacker position.
However, Rang and Brugler also note that, despite having solid instincts, Kendricks’ pass-coverage numbers didn’t jump off the charts.
Round 3: Defensive Tackle
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In the third round, it was a tossup between defensive end and defensive tackle. The latter position gets the nod based on the assumption that the Giants are going to find a way to retain Jason Pierre-Paul and that Damontre Moore might finally blossom into an every-down player.
Also adding to the preference of defensive tackle in the third round is the Giants’ current depth.
Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson are into their 30s and should not be viewed for the long term.
Markus Kuhn, 28 years old, has been serviceable in the rotation, though his minus-15.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) can’t be ignored when evaluating this position.
Jay Bromley, chosen in the third round in last year’s draft, received 113 defensive snaps, per PFF. He showed promise as a run-stuffer but will need to have a solid offseason in the weight room to add additional bulk to take his game to the next level.
Finally, Robert Ayers Jr. can play defensive tackle in pass-rushing situations, but he is not the answer if you’re looking for full-time depth at that spot.
What third-round draft prospects might be the answer? Let’s take a look.
Mario Edwards Jr., 6’3”, 294 lbs, Florida State
Derek Stephens of NFL Draft Scout notes that Edwards “has the makeup of the ideal 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle who can disrupt the backfield in a number of ways, from multiple spots.” If the Giants are looking to incorporate more multiple fronts on defense, Edwards might provide intriguing value for them on Day 3.
Markus Golden, 6’3”, 260 lbs, Missouri
Golden is be one of those intriguing prospects who just might start to see his stock rise if he has a solid combine showing.
As noted by NFL Draft Scout, Golden finished his 2013 season with equal or better production after the 2013 season than Michael Sam and Kony Ealy, a second round pick.
Another thing to like about Golden, as Brugler and Rang note, is that if he is unable to pressure the quarterback, he times his leaps in an attempt to get a hand on the ball.
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Round 4: Free Safety
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One very noticeable missing ingredient in the Giants' defensive backfield was a solid center field type of safety with good speed, burst and quickness to get to the ball and break up plays.
If the Giants don’t address this need in free agency—Stevie Brown and Quintin Demps are both unrestricted (Antrel Rolle, also an UFA, is a box safety)—the draft could be the way to go.
Kurtis Drummond, 6’1”, 200 lbs, Michigan State
Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout praises Drummond for having “the anticipation and pursuit downhill to close in the ground game while also showing the coordinated body control and timing in coverage to make plays in pass defense.”
Besides offering nice size, Drummond has natural instincts that have allowed him to play a fast, aggressive game in which he has also shown a propensity to take solid angles to ball-carriers.
Durrell Eskridge, 6’3”, 203 lbs, Syracuse
Eskridge, a junior-eligible, has good size to allow him to match up well against tight ends running the seam patterns as well as provide run support.
Per Cuse.com, Eskridge finished 15th in school history in tackles by a defensive back in three seasons. He also led the Syracuse secondary in tackles this past season with 68.
Round 5: Wide Receiver
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Assuming the Giants get a healthy Victor Cruz back to go along with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle, New York should be set regarding their first three wideouts on the depth chart.
The bottom two spots could be in for some tweaking. Corey Washington will probably get another chance in camp to show the coaches that he can be a complete player both on offense and on special teams, the latter a role that it would behoove him to embrace as most teams expect their fourth and fifth receivers to contribute on special teams.
Preston Parker, who played well both on offense and on special teams as a kickoff-return specialist, is also under contract for another season, according to Over The Cap.
The Giants, though, will probably want to pick up at least one additional receiver via the draft just in case Cruz starts the year on the physically unable to performa (PUP) list.
Here are a couple of names to watch in the fifth round if the Giants are thinking wide receiver.
Jamison Crowder, 5’9”, 175 lbs, Duke
The most appealing part of Crowder’s game is his experience as a kickoff and punt returner. Hopefully, the Giants' coaching staff plans to remove Beckham from punt-return duties, as it’s too risky to have the team’s most valuable asset on offense back there.
While Randle is an option, if the Giants want to start winning the field-position battle, Crowder could be a guy who gives them that chance.
According to NFL Draft Scout, Crowder’s 16.04 punt-return average was the school’s best since 2001 (Ronnie Hamilton, 15.55). Crowder can also return kickoffs.
Kenny Bell, 6’1”, 185 lbs, Nebraska
Dan Brugler of NFL Draft Scout notes that while Bell possesses "average size and speed," the senior was one of the best blockers in the NCAA last season and is a hardworking, detail-oriented receiver who doesn’t round off his routes.
Round 6: Outside Linebacker
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Mentioned in the slide covering Round 2 is the Giants’ upcoming free-agent situation with its linebackers. Also mentioned in that slide was the desire to see an inside linebacker selected, one who might develop into an every-down player.
Revisiting the linebacker position, the sixth round might be a good spot to grab an outside linebacker who can mainly contribute on special teams and potentially fill the role of a Mark Herzlich/Spencer Paysinger in the event one or both of them isn’t brought back.
Jake Ryan, 6’3”, 235 lbs, Michigan
Ryan will be two years removed from a torn ACL suffered in March 2013, which is the good news.
Even better news is that Ryan, per Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout, possesses "a high football IQ" and is versatile enough to play any of the three positions, regardless of the scheme, which makes him a solid value pick if he is there in the sixth round.
Lynden Trail, 6’6”, 260 lbs, Norfolk State
Per Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout, Trail accelerates and changes direction well while in pursuit. He also uses his size well at the point of attack to fend off blocks and does a nice job of wrapping up ball-carriers.
Although Trail played in a 3-4 defensive system, his size makes him intriguing for a defense that might be looking for versatile players who can contribute to multiple fronts.
While Trail was a college linebacker, Brugler observes that, given the prospect’s measurables, Trail might make for a better defensive end at the pro level.
Round 7: Guard
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The Giants will likely look to supplement their offensive line depth with veterans who are willing to play for a one-year, minimum qualifying offer.
In the meantime, if this coaching staff is indeed trying to move on from 2012 fourth-round draft pick Brandon Mosley—given that he rarely got onto the field in 2014, despite being healthy, that would seem to be the case—the team might want to start looking at developing a new prospect from scratch.
Here are a couple of prospects who might be worth a look.
Adam Shead, 6’4”, 339 lbs, Oklahoma
Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout, notes that Shead already possesses solid "base strength" and doesn’t often absorb blows; rather he keeps defenders away from him.
However, Shead still needs to refine his feel and technique at being effective at the second level, making him a developmental project at the pro level.
Kaleb Johnson, 6’4”, 305 lbs, Rutgers
Johnson made the decision to return to school for his final year of eligibility to work on his craft. Possessing good size and length, Johnson, per Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout, is a "tough" and "tenacious" blocker whose pass setup is quick and who has a solid anchor at the point of attack.
Round 7B (pick Acquired from Denver): Running Back
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The Giants' final pick, this one coming from Denver in the Brandon McManus trade last year, came down to a defensive end or a running back.
Why not go with a defense end at all or even sooner than the seventh round? As previously noted in the slide covering the third round, Jason Pierre-Paul should be back in 2015 one way or another.
Robert Ayers Jr. will likely begin the year as the new starter, replacing Mathias Kiwanuka; Damontre Moore will hopefully demonstrate to the coaches that he can play the run consistently, and Kerry Wynn should be further along in his development.
That leaves running back as the choice here. Rashad Jennings has yet to make it through a 16-game season, and unfortunately, all the extra pounding that his backup, Andre Williams, took last year resulted in the rookie also ending up having to fight through a late-season shoulder injury.
Orleans Darkwa is intriguing as a potential third-down back, but he will likely draw some competition. Peyton Hillis is probably done with the Giants, and it remains to be seen how soon Michael Cox, who broke his leg in the Seattle game, can return.
Save for David Wilson (first round, 2012) and Williams (fourth round, 2014), the Giants usually look at running back late in the draft. Here are some prospects if they are planning to do so again this year.
Dominique Brown, 6’2”, 216 lbs, Louisville
Brown offers nice size for the position and is a downhill type of running back whom Derek Stephens of NFL Draft Scout notes “isn’t a burner, but has the size, burst and physicality to be that cut-and-go zone scheme runner at the next level.”
Brown could ultimately find a niche as a short-yardage/goal-line back at the pro level. He also has shown an ability to make plays as a receiver coming out of the backfield, where he finished his four-year collegiate career with 50 receptions for 443 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Malcolm Brown, 6’0”, 228 lbs, Texas
Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout opines that Brown "doesn’t have dynamic elusiveness" as a runner, but he does run with the power necessary to shed would-be tacklers.
Per Sports-Reference.com, Brown averaged 4.3 yards rushing in his four-year college career, which included 24 rushing touchdowns. As a receiver out of the backfield, he caught 51 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns.
His best season was in 2013, when he ran for 904 yards on 214 carries and scored nine rushing touchdowns. Brown finished his career with 3,060 all-purpose yards (2,678 rushing).
Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced. Follow me on Twitter @Patricia_Traina.
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