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ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has selected Missouri defensive Shane Ray for the New York Giants at No. 9 overall in version 4.0 of his 2015 NFL mock draft.
Here is how Kiper explained the selection:
The pass-rush is a sneaky need for the Giants. Think about it: If Jason Pierre-Paul is healthy, the depth chart looks fair. But if he has any health issues, and we can't rule that out, you look at this depth chart and have to wonder where the Giants will be able to come up with any pressure. So whether it's Ray, Beasley or Fowler if he were somehow still around at this point, the pass rush is an area they could target. I do think Scherff is a fit, and I've had him here previously, but he's off the board. And while I wouldn't expect the Giants to take a wide receiver, I'd at least be tempted by the two available here.
For context, here are Kiper's first eight picks:
1. Bucs -- Jameis Winston; 2. Titans -- Marcus Mariota; 3. Jaguars -- Leonard Williams; 4. Raiders -- Amari Cooper; 5. Redskins -- Dante Fowler Jr.; 6. Jets -- Brandon Scherff; 7. Bears -- Kevin White; 8. Falcons -- Vic Beasley.
This means Kiper left cornerback Trae Waynes, pass rushers like Randy Gregory and Bud Dupree, defensive linemen like Arik Armstread and Danny Shelton, and wide receiver Devante Parker on the board. He also bypassed all of the other first-round offensive linemen not named Scherff.
The pick coincides with something Dane Brugler of CBS Sports told Pat Traina and myself during this week's Big Bluechat' podcast. That being that the Giants would have a difficult time passing on Ray if he were available at No. 9. Brugler said the slightly under-sized Ray has the "best first-step quickness" of any pass rusher in the 2015 draft class and "makes some sense for the Giants" at No 9.
Our own 'Raptor' profiled Ray and said he "would be fantastic value at a position of need."
Your thoughts, Giants fans?