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NFL Draft grades are generally futile exercises. How do you grade selections of players who have never played in the NFL? Draft analysts everywhere want to offer an opinion on how they believe NFL teams did, so grades it is. How did the experts grade the New York Giants work in the 2014 NFL Draft? Let's take a look.
Beckham should be an immediate contributor for the Giants, taking some pressure off Victor Cruz. Beckham is a playmaker with great speed and hands. Richburg should factor into New York’s offensive line early. He’s a player with few flaws. Bromley is a solid gap-shooting rotational defensive tackle. The sleeper player to keep an eye on here is Kennard. In the Giants’ system, he could really stand out as a player who can line up at linebacker and defensive end.
Grade: B-
Odell Beckham Jr. has a chance to be a really dynamic NFL player, a reliable pass-catcher with both the quick-twitch explosiveness to make plays after the catch, and the straight-line speed to run away from defenders. I thought Eric Ebron could be in play at No. 12, but Detroit took him at No. 10. Eli Manning gets a needed weapon in the passing game. The Giants then got more physical. Weston Richburg was a solid Round 2 value, a very good blocker with the chance to be a solid center for the next 10 years. I think it should be his job to lose. Jay Bromley was a reach for me -- I had a number of defensive tackles rated higher -- but "DT" doesn't do justice to the different kinds of fits you're looking for in a system, and I can see how Bromley makes sense there. Andre Brown led the Giants with 492 rushing yards last season and he's no longer around. Andre Williams gives the Giants a bruising runner to strengthen the depth chart. Devon Kennard and Bennett Jackson both have ability and provide needed depth. I had tight end as a need, but adding a weapon in the passing game was the real impetus there, and Beckham does that. Richburg will be a good one. I think the D-line needs more help, so Bromley will be a key. Grade: B-
Beckham is an upgrade over free-agent departure Hakeem Nicks, giving Eli Manning another speedster to complement Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle. Richburg and Bromley addresss the top need of more power on both lines. They also went back to Boston College for Williams to join Rashad Jennings in their made-over backfield.
Grade: B
QB Eli Manning tried — and failed — to carry this team in 2013 and took a beating in the process. So what did GM Jerry Reese do? He got Manning a topflight center (Weston Richburg), chain-moving back (Andre Williams) and, best of all, an outlet receiver (Odell Beckham), who's superior with the ball in his hands.
The selection of Beckham with the 12th pick was a bit of surprise to some, but they need to free up Victor Cruz from the doubles. He will. Second-round pick Weston Richburg will compete to start at center.
Grade: C+
General manager Jerry Reese knew that he had to come away with a great draft class in 2014 — the pressure was on after 2013′s disappointing season. And the G-Men endeavored to give Eli Manning a blazing target in the first round with LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr. He is one of the best receivers in this class and should produce immediately. Grabbing Colorado State center Weston Richburg in the second round was a nice addition, though they should have addressed more concerns along the O-line. The Giants seemed particularly enamored with the talents of Syracuse defensive tackle Jay Bromley and Boston College running back Andre Williams; Bromley in particular could be a pleasant surprise if his knack for quarterback pressure transfers to the next level.
Grade: B
The Giants started off their 2014 class with a surprise in playmaking wide receiver Odell Beckham and the year's top center in Weston Richburg, each of whom should be able to help Eli Manning return to form. Three of their next four picks were spent on instinctive, passionate defenders with underrated athleticism in defensive tackle Jay Bromley, safety Nat Berhe and pass rusher Devon Kennard. Running back Andre Williams is a no non-sense grinder who could give Tom Coughlin the featured back that David Wilson has failed thus far to become. Each of the four comes with question marks, however, as Bromley and Berhe lack ideal size, Williams has only average top-end speed (despite a solid 40-yard dash time) and Kennard has struggled with durability. Other than Beckham, this wasn't a flashy draft for the Giants. With some luck it could be very effective.
Grade: B-