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East-West Shrine Game: Who is impressing, and who are the Giants talking to?

With half of the Shrine Game's practices in the books, who have caught scouts' eyes, and who have the Giants been talking to?

By Chris Pflum
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The draft process is in full swing, and over three hundred scouts, general managers, and team representatives have descended on St. Petersburg Florida for the week of practice leading up to the East-West Shrine Game.

While not as heralded as the Senior Bowl, the Shrine Game provides an opportunity for FCS level and lesser known FBS players to shine against a higher level of competition. Like every other team, the New York Giants are in attendance and watching closely.

Who's Impressing?

Defense

So far the defense seems to be shining in practice.

  • South Carolina State defensive tackle has caught the eye of NFL Network's draft-meister Mike Mayock

(Note: This tweet came out after he was on out "watch list" and upcoming prospect profile)

  • Stony Brook's Victor Ochi measured in at 6 foot 1 inch, 244 pounds, but he has reportedly been unblockable. His burst off the line and bend around the edge has caught the eye of scouts.
  • Anthony Zettle of Penn State has had strong practices as well. He came into the season as a potential first-round pick, but his stock has fallen after he failed to take a step forward and seemed to regress as Carl Nassib and Austin Johnson stole the defensive show. Zettle's power has reportedly given offensive linemen fits.
  • Florida State linebacker Terrance Smith has reportedly flown around the field, covering backs and tight ends well.
Offense
On the offensive side of the ball, two linemen have had strong practices
  • Brandon Shell (OT, South Carolina) has reportedly dropped some weight from college and appears to be playing better for it. Shell has played both tackle positions, but most of his experience is at right tackle. He could be a candidate to move inside.
  • Graham Glasgow (C, Michigan) has gotten talked up as a potential first rounder by Jim Harbough, but he likely isn't that. However, he has been having a strong week of practice.
  • Kivon Cartwright (Colorado State) and Devon Cajuste (Stanford) have been making plays in the receiving game, but they are a pair of players without a position. Cartwright at 6-4, 227, and Cajuste, 6-3, 245, might both be best used as H-Backs in the NFL.

Who Are The Giants talking to?

The Giants have only been spotted talking to a pair of players, but they are undoubtedly talking to more.

  • Deon Bush (S, Miami) -- Bush is a player who has been used all over the Hurricanes' defense. He is listed as a "free safety", and he appears to have the requisite athleticism, but he also has the size at 6-1, 205 to come down in run support and as a blitzer. Bush is trying to redeem his draft stock after taking a step back his senior season.
  • Romeo Okwara (DE, Notre Dame) -- It just wouldn't be a draft if the Giants weren't, at least, talking to a defensive player with a hard to pronounce name. The 6-4, 270 pound Okwara measured in with the broadest wingspan at the Shrine Game at 83.75 inches -- for comparison, JPP's wingspan is 81 inches. Like many college defensive linemen, Okwara has issues with pad level and technique, so he is considered a developmental prospect. However, he has also been credited for being a disciplined defender and having a strong week of practice thus far.

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