In this draft, Kenny Phillips would be a Giant

by ETVal on Mar 24, 2008 7:45 AM EDT in News

The folks at SportProjections.com put together a mock draft using team bloggers from all around the great Inter-Google.

I was honored to be asked to make the first-round selection for the Giants, and my turn on the clock came up Easter Sunday.

My choice was ... Kenny Phillips, S, Miami.

This first round mock actually broke perfectly for the Giants. Phillips, the best safety in the draft, was obviously still on the board when my turn came. In addition, the two linebackers who seem to be the most likely targets for the Giants in the first round -- Dan Connor (Penn State) and Jerod Mayo (Tennessee) -- were also both on the board.

I would think that, should the real first round play out this way next month, Giants' General Manager Jerry Reese will feel like he hit the jackpot. I know I felt like there was no wrong choice to make here.

For me, it really came down to Phillips and Connor, both prototype players at their positions, and both from schools known for producing stars at those positions.

I chose Phillips simply because I feel the Giants' immediate need at safety is greater than their need at linebacker.

Here is what I said at Sport Projections.

My choice here is Phillips. The Giants have only veteran Sammy Knight, adequate at best James Butler, and the still developing Michael Johnson at safety. They need a big-time playmaking safety, and Phillips is the best one in this draft.

Phillips comes from a school with a reputation for producing outstanding safeties -- see Bennie Blades, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor and Brandon Meriweather. He should be the next in line, and is a perfect fit for what the Giants need.

If Phillips turns into a player in the class of the guys mentioned above, he sure would look nice patrolling the secondary for the Giants for the next few years.

Stop by Sport Projections and see how the whole draft played out. Then stop back and share your thoughts.

0 recs | Comment 10 comments

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Comments

Good Pick

He fills a need, he is talented, and Giants just love those guys from the "U"

I've seen his name in quite a few of the mocks

by jrs1940 on Mar 24, 2008 8:40 AM EDT 0 recs

From your lips

to God's ear

by george cronin on Mar 24, 2008 9:05 AM EDT 0 recs

Amen

by big blue wrecking crew on Mar 24, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

If only

the draft plays out like that ... that would be perfect!

by potroast on Mar 24, 2008 9:12 AM EDT 0 recs

Yes, it would

I could see either Connor or Phillips being taken if that situation plays out.

by ETVal on Mar 24, 2008 9:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

With the signing of Danny Clark

I wonder if Reese has already made up his mind about the ILB prospects. It would be interesting to see the #1 safety prospect still sitting there when the Giants' pick rolls around.

by rzor on Mar 24, 2008 9:51 AM EDT 0 recs

If it plays out

this way I have no idea how you pass on Phillips.

by ETVal on Mar 24, 2008 10:42 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yes Please

I love players from the U. Even when they're down as a college program, its still a Pro Factory.

by cjmulrain on Mar 24, 2008 6:55 PM EDT 0 recs

Clark Judge's comments and...

I like Phillips. He is quick, big, a nose for the ball and a good hitter. Sort of a bigger, slower Bob Sanders mold who can help on pass def and run def.

I know if there is a crazy player slippage that Reese will step up and take the best player available, but if Phillips is there, I think you have to take him. It fills a need and he is a great athlete.

Clark Judge's comments on CBSsportsline.com about the Giants draft needs:

The NFC wasn't the better conference last season, but it did have the best team. That would be the New York Giants, who overcame the odds as well as the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

That victory makes them the club to beat in 2008, but defending the title will be difficult -- especially with the losses of starters Gibril Wilson, Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor.

Of course, that's where the draft comes in. This month's needs become next month's draft picks, and here's what the Giants can expect:

N.Y. Giants

The skinny: They lost three defensive starters and subtract a fourth if Michael Strahan retires. So this is a Super Bowl champion with holes that free agents couldn't fill. The Giants signed only one from another club, veteran safety Sammy Knight, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. They followed the same script a year ago, and look where it got them.

Primary need: Offensive tackle. Dave Diehl did a nice job at left tackle a year ago, but let's be honest: He's a guard.

Secondary needs: Linebacker, cornerback, a defensive lineman and another wide receiver.

Possible targets: With the last pick of the first round, the Giants might be forced to take the third or fourth player at a position. Tackle Jeff Otah is a possibility, so is someone like Notre Dame defensive tackle Trevor Laws or Auburn's Quentin Groves.

Summary: The Giants should take a shot at a defensive lineman or cornerback early, then go for a tackle in the second round. The position is deep, which means there are plenty to go around. It also means the best value at the 31st spot might be on the defensive side of the ball.

by losangelesmets on Mar 25, 2008 2:18 PM EDT 0 recs