The New York Giants are in the 'winners' category in the 2011 NFL Draft, according to SB Nation's Mocking The Draft. MTD wrote:
"New York general manager Jerry Reese got to sit back in the draft and wait for talent to fall to him. He didn't make trades and didn't need to. He got a steal with cornerback Prince Amukamara in the first round and defensive tackle Marvin Austin in the second round. Jerrel Jernigan is a playmaker and a good fit for their offense. James Brewer is a big, tough blocker. Greg Jones and Tyler Sash were wildly productive college players and the leaders of their teams."
Walter Football gave seven of the Giants' eight picks an 'A' grade. The exception? South Florida outside linebacker Jacquain Williams. That is most likely because neither Walter, nor virtually anyone else, seems to know much about Williams.
ESPN's NFC East blog wonders if the Giants did not do enough to address their aging offensive line, taking only a "project" offensive tackle in James Brewer. They dubbed that their "riskiest move."
The New York Giants' decision to wait until the fourth round to take their first offensive line prospect, tackle James Brewer from Indiana, is a big risk. Brewer isn’t a sure bet. He’ll take time. There is no faulting the decision to take cornerback Prince Amukamara in the first round. The Giants, according to sources, liked Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder, who went two spots before their pick in the first round. They didn’t have grades on offensive tackles Anthony Castonzo and Gabe Carimi that matched the 19th pick. Amukamara was considered a top-11 prospect. In the second round, they got defensive tackle Marvin Austin, who had a low first-round grade. Teams shouldn’t go against their draft boards, but at some point, the Giants need to get an offensive lineman who will start as a rookie. We’ve seen this too often in the NFC East, and now the Giants might have to scramble in the free-agent market for help, and that will be tricky.
Back with more on Sunday and Monday folks. For now, I'm out.