2017 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Nico Siragusa, OG, San Diego State University

The 2017 NFL Draft is generally being considered to be a weak one for offensive tackles. However, that weakness doesn’t extend to the interior of the offensive line, and there are many more talented guard and center prospects than offensive tackles.

Some of them, in fact, used to be tackles themselves.

There are also a few under-the-radar prospects who could rise as the process unfolds. One of them is San Diego State’s Nico Siragusa (no relation to the former defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens).

As it so happens, while the New York Giants could use an offensive tackle after rough seasons by both Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart, they also find themselves with a hole at right guard with John Jerry entering free agency and no clear successor on the roster.

Could Siragusa plug that sizeable hole?

Measurables

Height - 6 feet, 4 inches

Weight - 324 pounds

40 Time - 5.37sec (projected)

Pros

• Mammoth guard. Plays to every inch and ounce of his listed 6’4”, 324 pound frame.
• Thick build from head to toe. Not a “soft” 324 pounds.
• Uses his hands well to fight off defenders in pass protection or gain leverage in run blocking.
• Creates holes in the running game.
• Surprisingly nimble for a lineman his size.
• Capable pass protector
• Frequently used as a pulling guard, and played in a zone blocking scheme in college.

Cons

• Needs to improve awareness and accuracy blocking in space. Too often misses second level defenders when he could steamroll them.
• Frame might pigeonhole him as a right guard in the NFL. Needs to show his feet and agility in combine drills.
• Needs to do a better job of sustaining his blocks and asserting himself in pass protection.
• Generally handles stunts and twists well, but has the occasional mental lapse.
• Occasionally gets tripped up in the trash at the line of scrimmage.
• Played out of a spread offense in college. He could have a learning curve adjusting to the NFL game and protections.

Does He Fit With The Giants?

If the Giants haven’t addressed their offensive line by the draft, Siragusa could be a mid-round sleeper to pay attention to.

Unlike some of the more highly rated guard prospects, Siragusa comes complete with NFL power, though he will need to be coached up on the finer points of playing his position in the pros. Siragusa is used to playing in a zone blocking scheme with “pin and pull” principles, both of which the Giants use in their offense. With Justin Pugh locking down the left guard position, Siragusa’s ability to get out in space and pull -- although he doesn’t always hit his target -- would give them the Giants the ability to run plays to either side more effectively.

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - 88th overall

Mocking The Draft - N/A

CBS Sports - 85th overall

Draft Countdown - Not in Top 100

Draft Tek - 99th overall

Final Thoughts

How the Giants want to build their offensive line will play a great deal into the kind of player they look for. Will they want a bit smaller but athletic blocker like Forrest Lamp [Prospect Profile] or Dan Feeney [Prospect Profile]? Or will they want a larger “mauling” lineman. So far their draft record is split. They have frequently taken big powerful linemen like Ereck Flowers, Mitch Petrus, and James Brewer, however their most successful picks, Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg, are athletic and technically sound.

If the Giants choose to go with a bigger guard to contrast with Pugh and Richburg, Siragusa would not be a poor choice who could be available in the mid-rounds.