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Last year, the New York Giants picked an offensive lineman with the 10th overall pick. Holding the same pick this year, could the NFL Draft play out so that the team grabs a second bookend player for their line? Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley is projected as the second-best tackle in the class, and could be available when the Giants are on the clock April 28.
Measurables
Pros
- Possibly the best pass-protector in the draft.
- Really good arm-technique, keeps defenders at reach allowing him extra time should they engage a second move.
- Good anticipation and compensation against speed-rushers.
- Quick at processing who to block and who to leave for the guard.
Cons
- His run blocking does not match up to his pass-pro skills, though weren't a liability, either.
- With run blocking, he struggles to engage cleanly and needs the defender to come to him, doesn't set an ideal edge.
- As with many tackles, he may struggle as a rookie until he gets a year of NFL conditioning behind him. Noticeably long and lean despite being listed at 312 pounds at the combine.
Prospect Video
Big Board Rankings
Big Blue View - 7th
Mocking The Draft - 11th
CBS - 9th
Draft Tek - 8th
Does He Fit With the Giants?
Yes and no. The Giants have been very adamant about Ereck Flowers being the left tackle going forward, and a pick like Stanley would point to a change of philosophy (which is entirely possible in a first year for a new coach). Stanley is ideally suited to playing left-tackle where teams could fully take advantage of his pass-protection skills, whereas what Flowers really succeeded at last year was run-blocking and may actually be better at a more natural position like right tackle. So, if the Giants are willing to switch them out, then Stanley would be an excellent addition and it's possible that the team would get better at two positions by adding just one player. However, if you want to take Stanley and force him into replacing Marshall Newhouse, then it would appear to be a gross mistake and misappropriation of assets.
Final Thoughts
If Stanley is a Giant this year, it means that they more than likely used the 10nth overall pick to get him, and when you use a pick that high you need to make sure you're using them correctly. Stanley would struggle mightily as a rookie right tackle. The run blocking talent isn't there, and while it could develop over time, I doubt he would end up a mauler like Flowers playing opposite. He has All-Pro potential as a blindside cornerstone, and that's what his high first-round projections are based on, but just make sure you know fully what you're taking before you pencil in his name on the draft card.