Mock Draft: Three-round Giants’ mock using “Fanspeak”

The Fanspeak Mock Draft Simulator is often unrealistic in terms of the choices it presents you with, but it is still fun to mess around with. Last year I used it occasionally to present mock draft scenarios for the New York Giants, and that seemed to go over well.

So, let’s do that again. Here is a three-round mock draft for the Giants using the simulator. I used the CBS Sports Big Board and did my best to stick to players within a reasonable range of where I was selecting.

Round 1 (23rd) — Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

If I could have scripted this first-round pick, I don’t think I would have ended up happier. Some think Ramczyk is the best tackle in the draft. Not knowing what the Giants will do in free agency, right now you would think Ramczyk would start at either left or right tackle. [Full Ramczyk prospect profile]

Players I passed on included Michigan DE Taco Charlton, Clemson WR Mike Williams, Michigan State DT Malik McDowell, Temple LB Hasson Reddick and Utah offensive tackle Garrett Bolles. Admittedly, both Williams and Charlton were tempting.

Here is Offensive Line Scouting and Development Consultant Duke Manyweather breaking down Ramczyk.

Round 2 (23/55) — Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech

I really don’t like the idea of entering a round thinking “I want a player at this position.” That’s a bad way to draft that leads mistakes. Selecting position over ability is generally not a good idea.

That said, I was hoping that at some point a play-making tight end would fall into range for me. The 6-foot-7 Hopkins, a a matchup nightmare in the slot and outside, fits the description. One well-connected veteran scout has been telling me for months that the Giants love Hodges, so when he came up as the top-rated tight end here and there wasn’t anyone else I was in love with it was an easy pick. Hodges will likely never be an inline blocker, but he can be the big target Eli Manning needs.

Mock Draft Tracker

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Who will GM Jerry Reese and the Giants select in the 2017 NFL Draft? The Big Blue View Mock Draft Database tracks what mock drafts think will happen.

Players I passed on include DL Carlos Watkins of Clemson, WR, Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington, EDGE defender Ryan Anderson of Alabama and offense linemen Dion Dawkins, Adam Bisnowaty and Roderick Johnson.

Round 3 (23/87) — Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

I will be honest. I followed Chris’s lead on this one. I did not ask his advice, but I used his scouting report on Moreau in making this pick. Bisnowaty and Dawkins were still on the board, as was West Virginia cornerback Rasul Douglas and East Carolina wide receiver Zay Jones, among others.

I did think seriously about double-dipping here and taking an offensive lineman. I also considered Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The idea, though, of getting a player with the potential to be an upgrade from Trevin Wade and Coty Sensabaugh, and to perhaps eventually take over from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the slot was one I couldn’t pass up.

Need Giants gear? Get it in the Big Blue View Giants Store sponsored by Football Fanatics.