New York Giants: Prospects to Watch in the East-West Shrine Game

The 90th annual East-West Shrine Game is the first of several major events for prospective draft picks to improve their draft stock for the annual NFL draft.

The following slides look at some intriguing prospects who might be a fit for the New York Giants. Keep in mind that the Day 1 and Day 2 draft picks are unlikely to come from the East-West Shrine Game.

That's why you won't see some major needs such as linebacker, offensive tackle and defensive end listed in these selections.

DB Joshua Shaw, 6’1”, 200 Lbs., USC

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Just as a team can never have too many pass-rushers, it also can’t have too many cornerbacks, which could be a reason why Josh Shaw might have drawn a few words from Giants scouts, as Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com reported.

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Interviews from the West practice on Wednesday. Giants and Jets talk to USC CB Josh Shaw. http://t.co/8cKFedWEId

— Charlie Campbell (@DraftCampbell) January 15, 2015"

According to NFL Draft Scout, which currently has Shaw projected to go in the fifth round, Shaw has an impressive build similar to that of a safety, quick feet, fluid hips and a solid football IQ to be plugged in almost anywhere in the defensive backfield.  He is also a solid true-to-form tackler.

Of course, the big question regarding Shaw deals with his off-field issues.

Shaw, remember, was at the center of a bizarre story last summer that began with how he allegedly suffered ankle injuries.

According to ESPN’s Arash Markazi, Shaw initially claimed he jumped from the second story of an apartment complex to save his 7-year-old nephew from drowning in a pool.

Shaw later admitted that the story was false. Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian eventually suspended him.

The Giants have rolled the dice on off-field character risks before if they bring talent to the table—safety Will Hill was the most recent example of a gamble they took, though unfortunately, he didn’t work out for them.

Might the Giants, who on the outside looking in have a much bigger need at safety than they do cornerback, be envisioning Shaw as a prospective safety if he has a solid showing and can avoid controversy?

Perhaps, but in addition to having a strong showing in the games and in the combine, Shaw is going to have to convince teams that his bizarre backstory was a one-time affair and not indicative of what is still to come.

DT Tyeler Davison, 6’2”, 309 Lbs,, Fresno State

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Assuming the Giants are able to retain defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, they should be set at that position.

The defensive interior is quite another story, as Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins are both into the twilight of their respective careers. Jenkins could even be a surprise salary-cap casualty while Patterson is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March.

If Jenkins and Patterson aren't back in 2015, that will leave New York with Johnathan Hankins, Jay Bromley and Markus Kuhn. That's not nearly enough depth to make it through a season, which is why when ranking priorities for the Giants, defensive tackle needs to be up there.

An intriguing candidate who could offer depth for the Giants defensive line is Fresno State's Tyeler Davison. According to Eric Galko of The Sporting News, Davison is a versatile defensive lineman who can line up at nose tackle or as the 3-technique.  

"

Tyeler Davison blew by Bobby Hart in inside run drills. Beautiful swim move

— John Owning (@johnowning) January 13, 2015"

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@FBallGameplan Tyeler Davison’s been working w Keith Millard-Pro Bowler, NFL all-time leading single season sack leader for DT’s & NFL coach

— Steve Caric (@Caricsportsmgt) January 13, 2015"

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com reported that in Tuesday’s practice, Davison, who was named to the Hendricks Award watchlist back in August, "had a respectable showing in the pass-rushing one-on-ones, including a win against Indiana's Collin Rahrig with a bull rush."

Davison also “burned by (Kentucky OL Cameron) Clemmons for a sack with an impressive rush,” according to Campbell.

NFL Draft Scout's Dane Brugler also lauded Davison for his versatility—the more positions a player can handle, generally the better that speaks of his football intelligence.

Brugler also added, "Davison is built like a rock and is at his best as a block-eater. He doesn't always have a consistent plan but does an excellent job occupying multiple bodies up front."

OG Adam Shead, 6’4”, 339 Lbs., Oklahoma

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The Giants might very well need to start from scratch regarding their young offensive-line talent at the reserve ranks.

James Brewer, an unrestricted free agent, is not expected back. Brandon Mosley hasn't worked out for whatever reason.

Dallas Reynolds is a 30-year-old three-year veteran with some starting experience at center but hasn't really been much of a factor when the injuries have popped up these last two years.

One young player who might make for an intriguing addition to the Giants offensive line is Adam Shead, who is helping himself based on reports coming from observers at the East-West Shrine game.

Per Jeff Risdon, Bleacher Report's Featured Columnist covering the Detroit Lions, Shead received some snaps at left tackle earlier in the week, though he projects to guard in the NFL.

"

Oklahoma G Adam Shead does not get moved backwards. Anchor strength & good hands/elbows technique

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 14, 2015"

"

Oklahoma G Adam Shead downfield quickly on screen, nice balanced engagement too

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 12, 2015"

Shead, who has 28 college starts at left guard, has several favorable traits, according to NFL Draft Scout’s Dane Brugler.

Among them, Shead has a solid anchor and "plays like a veteran." While Shead is far from being a NFL-ready starter—Brugler notes that the young man needs to “improve his feel at the second level"—Shead sounds like he has some solid tools with which to work.

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com offered this observation of Shead from Tuesday’s practice:  

"

Oklahoma guard Adam Shead had a nice start. He handled Fresno State defensive tackle Tyeler Davison by standing him up on a bull rush. Shead followed that up by pancaking Xavier Williams into the turf. Shead has some power to him and doing well in the pass-rushing one-on-ones could really help his draft stock. 

"

While Shead appears to be off to a promising start in terms of impressing the scouts, he is probably going to be one of those seldom-used offensive linemen early in his career while he acclimates to the big leagues.

The good news is that he seems to have the pedigree—his father Kenneth was a linebacker at Nebraska—and the foundation to develop into a serviceable offensive lineman. 

RB John Crockett, 6’0”, 215 Lbs., North Dakota State

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

In three seasons, John Crockett had a very impressive college career.

According to his college bio, he had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons despite sharing the workload in his first two years. He finished second on the NDSU career-rushing chart with 4,309 yards while also recording a single-season rushing record with 1,994 yards in his final year. 

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I think North Dakota State RB John Crockett has been one of the most draftable players at Shrine practice. He's the reason we have these.

— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) January 14, 2015"

"

Most intriguing RB at West #shrinegame practice running routes is clearly John Crockett. Just too fast. LBs are at a total loss.

— Eric Galko (@OptimumScouting) January 14, 2015 "

"

John Crockett with some seriously sharp feet on out route, left Ben Heeney grabbing at air #shrinegame

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 14, 2015"

B/R’s Michael Schottey, in his Day 3 scouting notebook, observed that Crockett has some serious wheels on him despite being a bigger running back:

"

Dude is fast. We're talking gears on top of gears. Numerous NFL teams would surround him after every practice, and he's almost assured of a spot on a roster in a few months. He's a bit of a straight-up-and-down runner, but he's got enough lateral athleticism to make guys miss even if he's providing a bigger target. 

"

The Giants, under head coach Tom Coughlin, have historically carried four running backs and a fullback.

At least two of the running back spots will go to Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams.

The third spot will likely go to Orleans Darkwa, who really impressed in the short time he was with the Giants last year after being signed off the Miami Dolphins practice squad.

The fourth and final spot will come down to Michael Cox (assuming he fully recovers from his season-ending broken leg suffered in Week 10 against Seattle) and a rookie.

Crockett, if he lands with the Giants, sounds like he is a player who could add a little electricity to the competition.

FS Tevin McDonald, 5’11”, 200 Lbs., Eastern Washington

USA TODAY Sports

Designated as "one of the best athletes at the Shrine Game" by Eric Galko of The Sporting News, safety Tevin McDonald has been drawing glowing reviews from onlookers attending the Shrine game practices.

"

Tevin McDonald had some good hips. The EWU guy looked good

— Damond Talbot (@drocksthaparty) January 13, 2015"

"

#ShrineGame West Notes:@EWUAthletics DB Tevin McDonald showed some ability to play man,in the slot, in the short area zones. Good S prospect

— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) January 13, 2015"

"

Tevin McDonald and Fritz Etienne. Both having decent showings this week #shrinegame pic.twitter.com/VsVqju9rlP

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 14, 2015"

Galko offered this take on McDonald:

"With a SS/OLB-hybrid upside thanks to strength as a tackler and quickness to evade full contact, McDonald’s run game range allows him to be an ideal nickel player. With his range in deep coverage, he has the tools and length to fit at either safety spot with ample development time."

However, McDonald, the son of former NFL safety Tim McDonald (Cardinals and 49ers), has had some off-field issues. In March 2013, he was dismissed from the UCLA team for what ESPN’s Peter Yoon reported to be an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Before that, McDonald, a two-year starter, had been third on the Bruins with 79 tackles in 2012 and had tied a school record with three interceptions in a game as a freshman.

He transferred to Eastern Washington to finish out his collegiate eligibility, but he also dealt with a leg injury that cut short his 2013 season.

Per NFL Draft Scout, McDonald is currently projected as a seventh-round/undrafted free-agent candidate.

The Giants safety position is, of course, a pressing need.

While there are intriguing candidates at the top of the draft (Landon Collins, anyone?), the Giants will probably look to fill out the depth at safety later in the draft and via free agency, given that they have even more pressing needs, particularly on the offensive line.

WR Tre McBride, 6'1", 205 Lbs., William & Mary

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Giants are cautiously optimistic that they will get a fully recovered Victor Cruz back from his season-ending torn patellar ligament injury suffered in Week 6.

The questions, though, are how long it will take Cruz to regain his electrifying playmaking form and whether he'll be the same receiver again?

Again, there is optimism, but everyone from team co-owner John Mara to general manager Jerry Reese indicated that the team would protect itself in the event Cruz’s comeback takes an unexpected detour.

The question, though, is will the Giants spend in free agency on a receiver when they have so many other pressing needs?

They probably won’t break the bank on a receiver. Green Bay’s Randall Cobb, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent, would sure be a nice option, but he is likely to be in high demand.

Instead, the Giants may look to supplement with a free agent who is still available after the initial crush and add a rookie prospect.

Tre McBride has been drawing rave reviews during the week of practice for his ability to toast defensive backs, his solid route-running and his hands.

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WR Tre McBride was my top NFL prospect at the @Shrine_Game entering the week and as I leave Tampa, that hasn't changed. Pierre Garconish

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 16, 2015"

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com offered this glowing review of McBride, whom he believes might have done the most to help raise his draft stock: 

"

McBride destroyed the cornerbacks in the one-on-ones. He got it started by getting separation on an out route for a nice gain. He burned Florida Atlantic safety Damian Parms on a deep post for a long reception. This week, none of the defensive backs have been able to run with McBride consistently, as he is a quick receiver who uses smooth route-running to get open. McBride (6-0, 205) has enough size as well.

"

"

#WKU CB Cam Thomas among the players who impressed me today. Some PBUs including one against Tre McBride, best East WR, late in practice.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 15, 2015"

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.