New York Giants News

Ten Senior Bowl players who would fit the New York Giants

These guys could fill needs for Big Blue

By Barry Shuck Jan 30, 2017, 6:58am EST

NCAA Football: Senior Bowl — O.J. Howard is tackled after making a catch during the Senior Bowl.

Now that the dust has settled at the annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and all the coaches and scouts have tabulated their notes on the top-level talent that participated there last week, there are questions of which players improved their draft stock and which ones plummeted.

Which players would be a good fit for the Giants? Here is a list of 10.

O.J. Howard

(6-foot-6, 250) TE – Alabama, Projected: Round 1

Think the weapon Jason Witten is and the havoc he has instilled all these years. Great height, long arms, excellent blocker, pass catcher who grabs everything, natural athlete, humble personality, and from a big-time program which pushed players to succeed. All wins! Did I mention an excellent blocker? A nice kid, too.

Cooper Kupp

(6-2, 205) WR - Eastern Washington, Projected: Round 2

If you have not heard of Kupp you are in the majority of college football fans. This kid catches literally everything thrown his way with excellent hands. His crisp route running is sick. Four-year starter with 6,464 career yards and 73 TDs. The future answer to the slot.

Prospect Interviews

NCAA Football: Senior Bowl-South Practice — Josh Dobbs (left) and Antonio Pipkin during Senior Bowl practice.

Dan Feeney

(6-4, 310) G – Indiana, Projected: Round 2

Nothing flashy here, just an old-school mauler who is dedicated to become the best. Perfect player to come in and take over right guard. Impressive dude with a team-first attitude. Great character guy to boot.

Dion Dawkins

(6-5, 320) LT – Temple, Projected: Round 2-3

I love this guy. He is determined to become a force on the line and was a three-year starter at left tackle. Where would Ereck Flowers play then? I don’t know, but it shouldn’t be LT. Dawkins would bring Eli Manning something he desperately needs: blindside confidence.

Cameron Sutton

(5-11, 186) CB – Tennessee, Projected: Round 3

Was hurt for most of his senior year with a broken bone. Before his injury, QBs threw to the other side because the dude just is always around the ball. He seems to have not skipped a beat now that he is healthy with excellent closing speed and a smothering cover style. Smallish frame, but isn’t afraid to run support.

Davis Webb

(6-5, 230) QB – California, Projected: Round 3-4

Extremely strong arm, great pocket poise, nice height, a leader. Ran strictly a shotgun formation in college so he has no huddle command nor experience working under center. His footwork is a bit slow as well, but he completed 62 percent of his throws the past two seasons. Bill Parcells always said look for a guy who can complete better than 60 percent, and we don’t dis the Tuna.

Ben Boulware

(6-0, 235), LB – Clemson, Projected: Round 4

Everything about this kid says no way, until he hits somebody. A friggin tackling machine. The biggest pop I heard all week was Boulware shedding a blocker and thumping the trailing running back. The knock on him is his size. Wonderful speed to make the tackle or cover bigger tight ends.

Corey Clement

(5-11, 225) RB – Wisconsin, Projected: Round 5

Had several injuries in 2016 that slowed his production, but he is making up for it now. Powerful blocker is the big plus with this kid. Nice hands and can hit the corner. An overall complete back.

Zane Gonzalez

(6-1, 190) PK – Arizona State, Projected: Round 5

Look, the Giants gave away Brandon McManus and dumped Chris Boswell, so let’s not make another kicker mistake. This guy once booted three 50-plus yard field goals – in the same game! College football’s all-time leader in field goals made and points scored, a four-year starter, unanimous All-American, 75.9 touchback average, and made 92 percent of field goal attempts this past season. May be drafted a lot sooner and should be a 10-year plus roster member. Did I mention he averaged 9.7 points per game in his career?

Jordan Sterns

(6-0, 200) S – Oklahoma State, Projected: Round 6

Sterns has been an afterthought on every draft site you visit, but this is a player. Very intelligent with plenty of upside and would provide depth to a position that seems to always have players that are hurt. He is no Landon Collins, but will remind fans of Greg Jackson.

Obviously, the Giants can’t have all of these players come draft time. Some will be sitting there when their draft slot comes up, and others will already be taken. In fact, the Giants may have several on this list waiting in the same round with only one chance.

But, look over the list one more time and you will see something very important: most of the problem areas that will propel this club towards the next level are right here. Right guard, left tackle, blocking/receiving tight end, complementary running back, another safety, a backup corner, Victor Cruz’s replacement, a hard-hitting linebacker, an excellent kicker and Eli’s heir apparent.