Taking a peek at Kiper's positional rankings

I won't often rely on the work of ESPN's Mel Kiper, but he is still the dean of draft experts.

Kiper yesterday updated his list of the Top 5 players eligible for the draft at each position.

Here is his board at the positions of the most interest to the Giants.

Offensive Tackles
1. Jake Long, Michigan
2. Ryan Clady, Boise State*
3. Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
4. Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
5. Sam Baker, USC

Inside Linebackers
1. Jerod Mayo, Tennessee*
2. Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma*
3. Dan Connor, Penn State
4. Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
5. Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech

Outside Linebackers
1. Keith Rivers, USC
2. Bruce Davis, UCLA
3. Cliff Avril, Purdue
4. Geno Hayes, Florida State*
5. Erin Henderson, Maryland*

Cornerbacks
1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
2. Leodis McKelvin, Troy
3. Aqib Talib, Kansas*
4. Mike Jenkins, South Florida
5. Justin King, Penn St.*

Safeties
1. Kenny Phillips, Miami*
2. DaJuan Morgan, NC State*
3. Reggie Smith, Oklahoma*
4. Marcus Griffin, Texas
5. Josh Barrett, Arizona State

* denotes underclassman

For a little more on the draft, check out Todd McShay's breakdown of what he sees as six tiers of talent among likely first- and second-round draft choices.

You would have to think the Giants' first-round pick will come from McShay's fourth tier, though maybe someone from the third tier could slide down to Big Blue at No. 31.