ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper does not hate the New York Giants 2012 NFL Draft class, but he does not love it, either. In handing out his annual NFL Draft grades, Kiper has given the Giants a C+.
Wrote Kiper:
"I had running back as the top need for the Giants, and they got one with their first pick. David Wilson should be productive, but I think they really would have preferred Doug Martin. I might have gone with an O-lineman there, but the Giants have capably kept things patched up for a couple years, and will have to continue to do so, because they didn't get a tackle until the fourth round. Brandon Mosley has a shot (he's the No. 13-ranked offensive tackle on my board), but you don't want him starting in Week 1. Rueben Randle lacks explosiveness, but he was a pretty good value as the last pick in Round 2. Clearly, the NFL thought he'd be gone far higher -- he was the last player in the green room. Jayron Hosley is a really instinctive corner, and I wouldn't have thought he'd still be around based on his sophomore year. But he regressed in 2011. He can cover, but he lacks a physical element to his game. Some helpful pieces, but Wilson needs to provide impact."
Clearly, Kiper is right that the Giants would have selected Martin if Tampa Bay had not. General manager Jerry Reese admitted there was one running back on the Giants draft board rated higher than Wilson after Alabama's Trent Richardson was taken, and that can only be Martin.
Kiper never mentions Adrien Robinson, whom the Giants are clearly excited about.
In the end, we know these grades mean nothing. We just have to wait and see how everything turns out.