Mel Kiper re-grades 2016 NFL Draft — Giants’ mark is unchanged

With the 2017 NFL Draft closing in, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has taken a look back at his grades from 2016. When it comes to the New York Giants’ haul in the 2016 NFL Draft, Kiper’s opinion today remains unchanged from his immediate post-draft reaction.

Post-draft grade: B+

If Eli Apple realizes his potential, this looks like it'll be a really good draft class. Apple had his moments and the talent really shows up on tape, but he also got beaten plenty, as rookie corners often do. I called him a slight reach, because he was my No. 28 prospect and the Giants took him at No. 10, but bottom line: If he takes the next step, he, Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Landon Collins help make this a candidate for one of the NFL's best secondaries. Sterling Shepard is good and can get even better -- he had 65 catches in a year in which Eli Manning was inconsistent. Paul Perkins had 112 carries and could be the No. 1 back going into fall, so you can't knock that value. Jerell Adams looks like he'll be a useful target for them at tight end.

A sleeper here that keeps a good grade where it is -- safety Andrew Adams. He was undrafted, but the Giants get a bonus for him here, because they scouted him, got him in and got 13 starts out of him.

New grade: B+

Valentine’s View: Quibble with Kiper all you want, this is a pretty fair assessment. If Apple and Shepard take steps forward, Perkins becomes a big-time back and third-round pick Darian Thompson recovers from his foot injury and becomes a quality starter this draft becomes special.

Your thoughts, Giants fans?