As usual, wide receiver looks like a need

by Ed Valentine on Apr 23, 2008 7:40 AM EDT in New York Giants News

Super Bowl hero David Tyree has apparently undergone knee surgery.

Reports indicate that Tyree expects to be ready for training camp. This does, however, lead nicely into what seems to be an annual discussion -- do the Giants need to make wide receiver a draft priority?

Somehow, despite the fact it seems the Giants take a receiver early in the draft every year, the answer annually is yes. I don't think that's any different this season.

Plaxico Burress is a star, Steve Smith might be one and Amani Toomer is arguably the best receiver in team history. Toomer can't go on forever, though, Sinorice Moss is still a mystery and Tyree isn't really a full-time part of the receiving corps, anyway.

So, with that said let's look at some of the guys who might be available for the Giants.

DeSean Jackson, California
At 5-foot-9 3/4, 169 pounds, he seems like a guy who might possess all the skills we thought Moss had.

NFL Draft Countdown (First rounder) Awfully similar to Ted Ginn, Jr. when he was coming out last year but is more polished as a wideout and an even better return man ... One of the most dynamic offensive and special teams weapons in this draft ... He may never be a true #1 target in the NFL but he's the type of elite playmaker who is sure to keep defenses awake at night.

James Hardy, Indiana

At 6-foot-5, 217 and very athletic, draws comparisons to Burress. Gotta like that.

NFL Draft Countdown
(Round 2 or 3)
Phenomenal size with a huge frame and long arms...A terrific natural athlete...Has big, reliable hands and can snatch the ball away from his body ... A very intriguing physical specimen with rare measurables for the position...Might be a bit overrated since people have fallen in love with his size.

Andre Caldwell, Florida

NFL Draft Countdown
(Round 2 or 3)
Probably projects as a #2 or slot guy who makes his living on the short and intermediate throws...Has all of the physical tools you look for but he doesn't necessarily play up to them....The type who just may end up being a better player in the NFL than he was in college.

Here are some mid- to late-round names to keep on eye on.

-- Justin Harper, Virginia Tech
-- Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech
-- Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina
-- William Franklin, Missouri
-- Paul Hubbard, Wisconsin

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being an IU grad

and fan, i can tell you that hardy has a lot of upside. his size is a huge-plus and he is super athletic. in fact, he originally came to IU on a basketball scholarship and was a top 100 recruit nationally in the class of 2004. because of his basketball pedigree, his hands are outstanding.

the major downside to hardy is that he's soft. he didn't like going over the middle and didn't like getting hit (but really, who does?). i think he can have a solid NFL career, but the comparisons to plaxico are off-base. i think that would be the ultimate best-case dream scenario if he turned out like plax. he depends almost 100% on his size, isn't a particularly great route-runner, and his speed is average.

if he's available late in the 2nd round, then it's a no brainer, but i'd still rather focus on S, LB, OT in the early picks and try to get a steal with a lesser-known WR later on (ala bradshaw at RB). if he's not taken in the first 35-40 picks, i'll be shocked.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Apr 23, 2008 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks

for the inside scoop. I just find it amazing that -- no matter what the Giants do -- a wideout always seems like a need.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 23, 2008 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

DeSean Jackson

Having watched him for three years at Cal, I have to say that I sure hope the Giants DO NOT DRAFT HIM. He is a playmaker, sure, but he tries to hard to get things done sometimes (ends up losing yardage on punt returns), has a little too much faith in his own abilities, demands lots of attention from the quarterback (a la Shockey, apparently), and does not work hard enough. Also, he's rather inconsistent; you can attribute him disappearing in games to double teams once in a while, and he'll dazzle you for a game or two, but he's not worth the first round pick. I'd rather wait until the later rounds a find a larger, more consistent wide receiver.

At Cal, we had Lavelle Hawkins on the field with DeSean Jackson, and maybe he benefited from all the attention that Jackson got, but he's got better numbers, is a little bit bigger, and is for the most part much more consistent.

by NYinCalifornia on Apr 23, 2008 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

Don't forget Marcus Monk

...from Arkansas. He's pretty good. And if Hardy is the kid I watched in the Pitt game, he's lightning-fast.

I think DeSean Jackson is a stud.
Andre Caldwell is a pretty unknown quantity. Underused at UF - not sure if it's because of him, or because the Tebow/Harvin combo was simply too good to pass up. (ouch. no pun intended.)

"E!-A!-G!-wait, I totally freakin' know this..."

by Cazart on Apr 23, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions