One last 7-round Giants-only mock draft

Here’s one last 7-round New York Giants mock draft for your consideration.

Round 1 (No. 2)

What the Giants could do: Bradley Chubb

I think there’s a good chance here that the Giants trade back maybe all the way to 12 (especially if the Buffalo Bills come at them with three first-round picks), but I think right now the front runner is Bradley Chubb. The fun thing about picking No. 2 is QB, Chubb, Saquon Barkley whatever direction they go, assuming they stay put has a real good shot of being a very good player, and the Giants need as many real good players as they can get. The pick they make I may not prefer, but I’ll be excited about the player they get. I’m using Fanspeak (consensus big board) just to get an idea of players who might be available.

What I think the Giants should do: Josh Rosen

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA. I understand that the kid is cocky and arrogant and can rub people the wrong way. He’s smart, but not as smart as he thinks he is (and that also rubs people the wrong way), he’s been handed things in life (which can rub people the wrong way), but he’s easily in my opinion the best QB in the draft and is a franchise type guy. Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, the list of arrogant, cocky guys who rub people the wrong way but have achieved great success at the QB position is not short. You never know, but I’d rather the Giants gamble on Rosen then be looking back in five years saying man that Rosen kid really is special. When it boils down to is you can win games with a great roster around a bad QB, but it’s much easier to win games with a great QB and a very flawed roster.

Round 2 (No. 34)

What I think the Giants could do: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon

I’m not sure 100 percent sure, obviously, what the Giants will do here, but I’d be surprised if one of the first two picks were not in the trenches. It might even be a mild upset if the first two picks aren’t in the trenches. There is also a good possibility that they are going to get rid of Ereck Flowers. I think not showing up for “mandatory” voluntary off-season work outs is a good way to upset your two bosses you need to impress most (the coach and the General Manager).

What I would do: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Yeesh, do the Giants need help at cornerback. The Giants will have more insight into what they plan on doing with Eli Apple, but even with Apple cornerback might be the Giants biggest need. We are all huge Giants fans, but can you name the three other cornerbacks without looking who are behind Jenkins and Eli Apple? Oliver could potentially be available here (generally mocked into the late first round) and would provide good solid value and really fill a position of need for the Giants.

Round 3 (No.66)

What the Giants could do: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State

The funny thing about leading up to the draft is that every year there are a good 50 players who are “definite first round picks” throughout the process. But every year there are only 32 picks (or less in the first round), and every year there are very good players remaining at the top of the second and third rounds. In this particular scenario the Giants get a terrific running back, my personal second-favorite running back in the draft, at the top of the third round

What I would do: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU

Again, the benefit of being terrible the year before is picking at the top of each round, especially the second and third round, there are great opportunities to trade back and accumulate good future assets, and there are always players are going to available that others don’t think should be available. Chark is not refined enough and the WR class is lacking, so he could definitely go higher, but if available the Giants need another outside WR to take some pressure of Beckham Jr. (Engram could potentially be that guy), but I don’t trust Cody Latimer. Chark gives the Giants even more speed.

Round 3: (No. 69)

What the Giants might do: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama

Addressing cornerback in the draft will definitely happen at some point. Averett is a bit undersized but has speeds for days and the Giants could use a guy who could bump down into the slot, especially if they have really given Eli Apple a clean slate.

What I would do: Nathan Shepherd, DL, Fort Hayes

Again, he might not even be available here, but with the Giants picking so high in the draft good talent is bound to fall to the top of each round.

Round 4 (No. 108)

What the Giants could do: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

Dave Gettleman believes in big WR and Cain is not monstrous, but he’s big 6-foot-2, 202 pounds and fast. The Giants need another outside option to give Beckham some relief. Also, if the Giants are intent to roll on with Eli Manning he simply needs more weapons. He can direct traffic, but he’s not carrying a team.

What I would do: Shaquem Griffin, LB, Central Florida

There are no players in the fourth round who are terrific athletes with great measurables, have great production, great work ethics, and clean injury histories. Those guys go in the first round. Griffin is a unique prospect — he has the production, the work ethic, the athletic ability. And, of course, the heart. Tackling could be a problem on occasion but he has made plenty of big plays and big tackles already. I’m rooting for him.

Round 5 (No. 139)

What the Giants could do: Jalyn Holmes, EDGE, Ohio State

Might not be available here, but the Giants will likely address the EDGE position at some point. Whether or not Holmes sheds some pounds and becomes a 34 OLB, or gets used as 34 DE is up to debate but the Giants could use a versatile DL/OLB player.

What I would do: Kalen Ballage, RB, ASU

Giants need to address the RB position and Ballage is a good projection. He’s big and fast and has been compared to Rashad Jennings who was a very useful player (not the player you want to build your offense around, but a very useful player).

Final thoughts

This much is clear — whatever the Giants do they need to add good players because they don’t have enough of them. The great thing is that in the NFL progress can happen real fast — one quality draft and a team can be right back into it. I’ll welcome whoever the Giants select with open arms whether or not I agree with the direction they take.