Todd McShay of ESPN is out with his first 2015 NFL Mock Draft [Insider only], and the Big Blue View Beezer Brigade will like the way McShay is thinking. With his pick for the New York Giants, eighth overall, McShay has selected Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley for the Giants. Here is why:
Iowa's Brandon Scherff would be a consideration here, given the Giants' needs along the O-line, but they'd have to be convinced he's a tackle and not a guard (I think he's a guard) to justify taking him at No. 8 overall. The defense has shown improvement in the second half of the season, but it needs another legitimate pass-rushing threat to complement Jason Pierre-Paul (who is a free agent this offseason), and Beasley is a difference-maker in that role. His first-step quickness and closing speed are near elite. He plays bigger than his size, but he's still only 220-230 pounds, so he may fit better as a SLB and when turned loose as a pass-rusher.
McShay actually lists Beasley as a defensive end, while ESPN's Mel Kiper and other prospect rankings have him shown as an outside linebacker. Kiper has Beasley ranked No. 15 on his initial Big Board. Here is part of what Kiper says about Beasley:
He offers great quickness and closing speed as a pass-rusher, and he's really impressive when he creates any space. Where he can struggle is when a good blocker gets his hands on him and forces him to play with leverage and counter. He can be highly disruptive.
Your thoughts, Giants fans?