Ten non-QBs to watch for the Giants in the Senior Bowl

Last week we highlighted 10 of the most interesting prospects at the East-West Shrine game. This week, most of the attention of those attending the 2018 Senior Bowl will be paid to the quarterbacks. With two of them (Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma and Josh Allen of Wyoming) potential top 10 picks, this is absolutely to be expected.

This year’s Senior Bowl roster is still impressive, beyond the quarterbacks, even when some of the best players won’t be playing. With that in mind, here are 10 non-quarterbacks that could, or should, interest the New York Giants.

Offense

Isaiah Wynn (OG, Georgia) - The guard turned left tackle will be back at guard in the NFL. Given Dave Gettleman’s preference for big, long-armed offensive linemen, it remains to be seen whether or not Wynn will be high on the Giants’ board, but he has a chance to be a very good offensive lineman for a long time in the NFL.

Mason Cole (OC/OL, Michigan) - The Giants were reportedly very high on Cole before he decided to return to school after the 2016 season. Whether that is still the case remains to be seen. However, he is versatile and comes from a pro-style offense, so he bears watching regardless.

Brian O’Neill (OT, Pittsburgh) - O’Neill hasn’t gotten as much attention nationally as some other linemen, but his potential is through the roof. Mel Kiper Jr. made him the 16th pick in his first mock draft. This is his chance to stand out against some of the best defenders in the draft.

Rashaad Penny (RB, San Diego State) - Penny was our first Prospect Profile of Senior Bowl week for a reason. He has been incredibly productive and has a chance to really stand out in practice, as well as the game, this week. Penny is a natural running the ball and as a receiver, and is a dangerous returner.

Allen Lazard (WR, Iowa State) - The Senior Bowl is replete with big, talented receivers. Lazard is probably the lowest-profile of them, which is why I picked him to highlight. But between James Washington (Oklahoma State), Marcell Ateman (Oklahoma State), Cedrick Wilson (Boise State), and D.J. Chark (LSU), there are plenty to choose from.

Defense

Da’Shawn Hand (DE, Alabama) - Hand has a similar problem as many Alabama prospects: How good is he really? All too often, it is difficult to get an accurate read on Alabama players, particularly on defense, because they are all talented and well-coached. Hand brings a great blend of size and athleticism and should stand out in practices.

Poona Ford (DT, Texas) - If Ford’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he played in the East-West Shrine Game last week. Ford proved highly disruptive in practices and the NFL wanted to see more of him against a higher level of competition.

Uchenna Nwosu (DE/OLB, USC) - Exactly what position Nwosu plays in the NFL will likely have as much to do with which team drafts him as anything. He is athletic, versatile, tough, productive, and disruptive.

Shaquem Griffin (OLB, Central Florida) - Griffin is smart, instinctive, highly athletic, and has an incredible work ethic. The fact that he got an invitation to the Senior Bowl and is in the conversation to be drafted despite only having one hand should tell you everything you need to know about him as a young man and a football player. He probably would be one of the first linebackers off the board if he had two hands. (His left hand was lost as a result of a birth defect, but he has never let it hold him back).

Tyquan Lewis / Jalyn Holmes (DE, Ohio State) - I’m bending my own rules a bit here to get both Ohio State defensive ends on the list. But, both of them really are worth watching. That OSU defensive line was simply front to back stacked with talent, and it will be instructive to see two of the (slightly) lesser-known prospects away from players like Nick Bosa (who isn’t yet draft eligible) or Sam Hubbard (who is but is an underclassman).