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The 2014 Super Bowl is over. The scouting combine is nearly three weeks away. Free agency doesn't start for more than a month. Hey, at least we have mock drafts to talk about! SB Nation's Dan Kadar is out with his latest mock draft, and it's a three-rounder.
His picks for the Giants Round 1 (12th overall) -- Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina); Round 2 (43rd overall) -- David Yankey (OG, Stanford); Round 3 (74th overall) -- Bishop Sankey (RB, Washington).
Here is Kadar's reasoning for each selection:
Round 1 (Ebron)
The Giants' offense needs playmakers and there are few better in this year's draft than Ebron. While he's not Mark Bavaro as a blocker, Ebron plays like an speedy, oversized wide receiver. Whether it was going for almost 200 yards against Miami this season, or pulling in nine catches against North Carolina State, Ebron was a sensation for a North Carolina team that had shaky quarterback play. With a quarterback like Eli Manning, Ebron could quickly become one of the NFL's top tight ends.
Valentine's View: If the draft were held today I doubt Giants' fans would complain about this pick. Among those left on the board by Kadar -- Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri, Cyrus Koundjio, OT; Alabama, Marqise Lee, WR, USC; Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee.
Round 2 (Yankey)
The Giants' offensive line is in a state of upheaval with Kevin Boothe's impending free agency, the retirement of David Diehl and the uncertainty about Chris Snee's future in New York. If the Giants decided to move on from Snee, right guard becomes a big need. Yankey could fill it suitably with his ability to get out on the move.
Valentine's View: In Kadar's draft, Yankey and Baylor guard Cyril Richardson were just about the only two top-ranked interior linemen left. With the Giants' current needs one of them had to be the choice here.
Round 3 (Sankey)
The Giants can't rely on former first-round pick David Wilson, and Andre Brown is a free agent. Sankey is a no frills running back with good vision and enough speed.
Valentine's View: I don't know much about Sankey at this point. I do know that Kadar is correct in his assessment that the Giants need to bolster this spot. Sankey, 5-foot-10, 203 pounds, averaged 5.4 yards per carry in three seasons at Washington. He appears to have ability as a pass-catcher as well, having caught 61 passes the past two seasons. My personal expectation is that the Giants bolster this spot in free agency, not once again making the mistake of entering the season without at least one proven veteran on the roster. Among the players left on the board here in Kadar's mock are -- Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas; Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska; James Hurst, OT, North Carolina.
Your thoughts, Giants' fans?
