Making the Case for LB Darron Lee as New York Giants' 1st-Round Pick

In just a few short days, all the mystique surrounding the identity of the New York Giants’ first-round draft pick will disappear, the identity of the player we finally be revealed.

As NFL draft analysts, sportswriters and fans continue to speculate on which way the Giants are leaning, let’s take another look at a prospect ESPN’s Todd McShay and CBSSports.com’s Pete Prisco have the Giants taking in their latest mock drafts.

The Pick: OLB Darron Lee, 6’1”, 232 lbs, Ohio State

Pros

One of the knocks against the Giants’ linebackers in recent years has been the lack of speed and athleticism across the board. 

Ohio State’s Darron Lee’s presence in the Giants linebacker corps could go a long way toward upgrading that position.

According to the NFL Scouting Combine results, Lee was a top performer in both the vertical jump and the broad jump, which would suggest he has explosiveness that could give the Giants linebackers a charge.

Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

Despite relatively limited experience, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein notes Lee’s ability to diagnose plays is solid, and once the prospect diagnoses the play, he’s quick to flow to the ball, while finding “the most efficient routes.”

Zierlein, who notes Lee has the “loose hips, quick feet and desired agility of an NFL weak-side linebacker,” also praises the young man for his ability to shoot through gaps on a blitz. That blitzing ability would probably make him an intriguing option as an extra pass-rusher.

Another knock against the Giants linebackers? Durability.

In Lee, they’d be getting a player who never missed a start in his last two seasons, even though early last season against Western Michigan, he suffered an in-game leg injury that, per Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com, required Lee being carted off the field.

That injury, per Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com. turned out to be a calf issue, one that Lee shook off to return to the game, while not missing a beat.

While there’s always a first time for an injury to strike a player who was otherwise durable in college, the fact Lee has no major health issues that need to be monitored down the line is certainly appealing to a team whose linebackers have been the poster children for injury-prone players these last few seasons. 

Cons

One of the biggest knocks against Lee, according to Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com, is his tendency to commit “dumb, avoidable penalties” that are typically a result of overzealousness.

While there is no question Lee has talent, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report noted that because of his athleticism, Lee often made plays “without much discipline.”

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Also, given that Lee has only been a starter at the position for the last two seasons—he had two years of eligibility left but opted to come out early—he might not be as finished of a product as some of the other linebackers in the draft.

Another issue with Lee is his tackling, which ESPN’s analysts rated as average, noting that Lee, “Comes in too hot at times, which leads to lunging or diving for too many attempted arm tackles.”

According to Pro Football Focus data, the Giants linebackers accounted for 36 missed tackles last season.

In two seasons, Lee has racked up 25 missed tackles all by himself, 12 of which came this season. That’s four more missed tackles this season than Uani ‘Unga, who led the Giants linebackers with eight missed tackles last year. 

What the Experts Are Saying

• Todd McShay, ESPN.com: “The Giants spent big in the offseason to improve their front four and secondary, but they still need to get a few more linebackers who can cover and get sideline-to-sideline against the run. … Lee has been blessed with an elite combination of speed (4.47 40-yard dash) and athleticism.”
  
  
• Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: “They need speed, and he can fly. This makes way too much sense.”
  
  
• Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: “Darron Lee is the best linebacker in the 2016 draft class without a knee issue. As it stands, he’s a legitimate top-20 prospect and one of the best playmakers in the defensive class.”

• Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Lee's level of NFL success might very well be tied to scheme fit and his ability to add more muscle to his frame. His athletic traits and ability to make plays should make him a starter, but he won't unlock his full potential unless he gets strong enough to handle the rigors of an NFL linebacker.”
  
  
• ESPN Draft Profile: “The former high school quarterback and cornerback is an undersized weak-side linebacker who needs refinement, but he's aggressive and tough, and he's blessed with an elite combination of speed and athleticism.”

The X-Factor: The Giants’ Defensive Scheme

In a perfect, world, the ideal linebacker can play both the run and the pass equally well, thus making it hard for the defensive coordinator to pull him off the field.

Unfortunately, that type of linebacker just doesn’t come around very often, which is part of the reason why NFL defensive coordinators have to be so creative with their personnel packages.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Per NFL Game Statistics and Information Systems, the Giants (tied with Jacksonville) had the second-most unique defensive lineups last season (142).

While one might think injuries created that issue, surprisingly enough, the Giants fielded just four unique starting defensive lineups all of last season—the same as 26 other NFL teams.

Given the NFL's evolution, oftentimes a team is going to field its nickel package more so than its base defense. Last season, NFL teams used the nickel package 63.4 percent of the time, according to PFF (h/t Peter King of The MMQB).

Unfortunately, the additional defensive backs didn’t really benefit the Giants as much. According to Sporting Charts, the Giants allowed 2,279 yards-after-the-catch last season, 30th most in the NFL last season. That tops the 2,017 yards they gave up the year prior.  

What does this have to do with Lee as New York's possible No. 1 pick? Per College Football Focus, approximately 67 percent of the yards he allowed in coverage came after the catch, with 71.6 percent of the pass targets against him being completed.

While Lee has the makings to evolve into an every-down linebacker, the Giants need to optimize the value of the 10th overall draft pick.

However, it’s up for debate as to whether the Giants would be able to get the most out of him right away or if Lee would end up being a situational player on a defense that’s going to need guys who not only have good range, but who can also actually cover.

Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced. Advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Follow me on Twitter @Patricia_Traina.