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When the New York Giants have addressed the wide receiver position in the past, it has generally been with high round picks. First-round selections for Hakeem Nicks and Odell Beckham Jr, second-round picks for Steve Smith and Rueben Randle, and third-round picks for Mario Manningham and Ramses Barden.
But Charone Peake could change that. He has intriguing tools, but doesn't appear to be highly regarded at the moment. Big boards and mock drafts seem to peg him as an early Day 3 player, so could he be a potential steal for the Giants?
Measurables
Pros
- Impressive blend of size and speed. Timed 4.38 at 6-foot-2 3/8, 209 pounds at the Clemson Pro Day.
- Height, 34-inch arms, and 35.5-inch vertical combine to give Peake an impressive catch radius.
- Plays physically. Fights for extra yards like a running back, and is a willing blocker.
Cons
- A pair of knee surgeries raises health questions. Combine medical checks will be huge for Peake
- Surprisingly small hands for his size at 9 1/4 inches.
- Has consistency issues. Combination of injuries and the glut of talent (DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant, and now Mike Williams) have limited his opportunities. Showed greater consistency in 2015 though
Prospect Video
Big Board Rankings
Big Blue View - Not in Top 100
Mocking The Draft - Not in Top 100
CBS - 147th
Draft Tek - 165th
Does He Fit With the Giants?
Peake's "cons" are all concerning for the Giants. With their love of large hands, their recent history with the maddeningly inconsistent Rueben Randle, and the omnipresent specter of injuries, Peake seems like a player they would run from.
But on tape, Peake looks like the kind of player the Giants could use. He makes tough catches, and his frame and physicality suggest a player who could become a bigger possession receiver to complement Odell Beckham. He also has the long speed and catch radius to be a threat both down the field and in short yardage situations.
Like former teammate Martavis Bryant, if Peake is able to cash in on his considerable talent he could become a player that people wonder how he was ever allowed to fall as far as he did, and that's the kind of player the Giants need.
Final Thoughts
Each of the last three receivers drafted out of Clemson have gone on to make an impact in the NFL. That's no guarantee that Peake will as well, but that pedigree and caliber of player Clemson is recruiting and putting in the NFL should certainly raise some eyebrows.
Peake definitely has some hurdles to overcome before he has the impact that even Bryant has had (before being suspended), but he has the physical tools that NFL teams are looking for.