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The draft is fast approaching. And with that comes Raptor’s incredible position previews, incredible analysis from some of the draft writers here, Ed’s amazing insights and....mock drafts. Tons and tons of mock drafts. More mock drafts than you know what to do with. Every year, I try my hand at doing the impossible: A full mock draft working with picks for every team. I know I’ll probably be lucky if I match five players with the right team. That’s not what this post is about, though. It’s about forming discussion and it’s an exercise in trying to determine who the Giants might be able to land by looking at possible targets and needs of all the teams around them.
I went about this in the same way the real draft goes. I gave myself about five minutes to make each pick for the first round, two minutes for the rest. I did the first round in one day, rounds 2 and 3 on the second day, and rounds 4 and 5 on the last day. I only went five rounds because that’s how many rounds the Giants have picks in. That also is about when my knowledge of these prospects starts to wane. So, let’s get to it.
Disclaimer: With the Giants’ picks, it’s based mostly on what I would do, with some anticipation of ideals that David Gettleman and Pat Shurmur go by.
Round 1
Team | Player |
---|---|
Team | Player |
Cleveland (0-16) .520 | Sam Darnold, QB USC |
New York Giants (3-13) .531 | Josh Rosen, QB UCLA |
New York Jets - from Indianapolis (4-12) .480 | Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma |
Cleveland - from Houston (4-12) .516 | Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State |
Denver (5-11) .492 | Josh Allen, QB Wyoming |
Indianapolis - from New York Jets (5-11) .520 | Bradley Chubb, EDGE NC State |
Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 | Quenton Nelson, OG Notre Dame |
Chicago (5-11) .559 | Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB Alabama |
San Francisco (6-10) .512 | Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State |
Oakland (6-10) .512 | Tremaine Edmunds, LB Virginia Tech |
Miami (6-10) .543 | Derwin James, S FSU |
Buffalo - from Cincinnati (7-9) .465 | Roquan Smith, LB Georgia |
Washington (7-9) .539 | Vita Vea, DT Washington |
Green Bay (7-9) .539 | Isaiah Wynn, OG/OT Georgia |
Arizona (8-8) .488 | Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville |
Baltimore (9-7) .441 | Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama |
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 | Harold Landry, EDGE BC |
Seattle (9-7) .492 | Josh Jackson, CB Iowa |
Dallas (9-7) .496 | Maurice Hurst, DT Michigan |
Detroit (9-7) .496 | Derrius Guice, RB LSU |
Cincinnati - from Buffalo* (9-7) .492 | Da'Ron Payne, DT Alabama |
Buffalo - from Kansas City* (10-6) .477 | Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame |
New England - from Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 | Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA |
Carolina* (11-5) .539 | Isaiah Oliver, CB Colorado |
Tennessee* (9-7) .434 | Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama |
Atlanta* (10-6) .543 | Dallas Goedert, TE SDSU |
New Orleans* (11-5) .535 | Taven Bryan, DE/DT Florida |
Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 | Leighton Vander Esch, LB Boise St |
Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 | DJ Moore, WR Maryland |
Minnesota* (13-3) .492 | Will Hernandez, OG UTEP |
New England* (13-3) .484 | Connor Williams, OG/OT Texas |
Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 | Justin Reid, S Stanford |
Round 2
Team | Player |
---|---|
Team | Player |
Cleveland (0-16) .520 | Malik Jefferson, EDGE Texas |
New York Giants (3-13) .531 | Josh Sweat, EDGE FSU |
Cleveland - from Houston (4-12) .516 | Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville |
Indianapolis (4-12) .480 | Sony Michel, RB Georgia |
Indianapolis - from New York Jets (5-11) .520 | Braden Smith, OG Auburn |
Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 | Donte Jackson, CB LSU |
Chicago (5-11) .559 | Chukwuma Okorafor, OT W. Mich |
Denver (5-11) .492 | Harrison Phillips, DT Stanford |
Oakland (6-10) .512 | Christian Kirk, WR TAMU |
Miami (6-10) .543 | Courtland Sutton, WR SMU |
New England - from San Francisco (6-10) .512 | Ronald Jones II, RB USC |
Washington (7-9) .539 | Billy Price, OG/OC OSU |
Green Bay (7-9) .539 | Carlton Davis, CB Auburn |
Cincinnati (7-9) .465 | Antonio Calloway, WR UF |
Arizona (8-8) .488 | Deon Cain, WR Clemson |
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 | Lorenzo Carter, LB Georgia |
Indianapolis - from New York Jets via Seattle (9-7) .492 | Mike Hughes, CB USF |
Dallas (9-7) .496 | Hayden Hurst, TE UNC |
Detroit (9-7) .496 | Kolton Miller, OL UCLA |
Baltimore (9-7) .441 | James Daniels, OC Iowa |
Buffalo* (9-7) .492 | Mason Rudolph, QB |
Kansas City* (10-6) .477 | Sam Hubbard, EDGE OSU |
Carolina* (11-5) .539 | Orlando Brown, OG/OT Oklahoma |
Buffalo - from Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 | Arden Key, EDGE LSU |
Tennessee* (9-7) .434 | Anthony Averett, CB Alabama |
Atlanta* (10-6) .543 | Tim Settle, DT Virginia Tech |
San Francisco - from New Orleans* (11-5) .535 | Nick Chubb, RB Georgia |
Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 | Mike Gesicki, TE Penn State |
Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 | Kyle Lauletta, QB Richmond |
Minnesota* (13-3) .492 | Rasheem Green, EDGE UNC |
New England* (13-3) .484 | DJ Chark, WR LSU |
Cleveland - from Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 | Jerome Baker, LB OSU |
Round 3
Team | Player |
---|---|
Team | Player |
Buffalo - from Cleveland (0-16) .520 | Ronnie Harrison, S Alabama |
New York Giants (3-13) .531 | Tyrell Crosby, OT Oregon |
Indianapolis (4-12) .480 | Derek Nnadi, DE/DT FSU |
Houston (4-12) .516 | Brian O'Neill, OT Pitt |
New York Giants via Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 | Tarvarus McFadden, CB FSU |
San Francisco - from Chicago (5-11) .559 | Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE OK |
Denver (5-11) .492 | Ian Thomas, TE Indiana |
New York Jets (5-11) .520 | Frank Ragnow, OC Arkansas |
Miami (6-10) .543 | Rashaad Penny, RB SDSU |
San Francisco (6-10) .512 | Michael Gallup, WR Colorado St |
Oakland (6-10) .512 | Terrell Edmunds, S Virginia Tech |
Green Bay (7-9) .539 | Mark Andrews, TE OK |
Cincinnati (7-9) .465 | Mike White, QB WKU |
Kansas City - from Washington (7-9) .539 | Jessie Bates, S Wake Forest |
Arizona (8-8) .488 | Da'Shawn Hand, DE Alabama |
Houston - from Seattle (9-7) .492 | Tyler Conklin, TE W. Mich |
Dallas (9-7) .496 | Martinas Rankin, OT Miss St |
Detroit (9-7) .496 | Jayln Holmes, EDGE OSU |
Baltimore (9-7) .441 | Josey Jewell, ILB Iowa |
Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 | Kyzir White, S WVU |
Carolina - from Buffalo* (9-7) .492 | Nathan Shepherd, DT Fort Hays St. |
Kansas City* (10-6) .477 | BJ Hill, DT NC State |
Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 | Darius Leonard, LB SC St |
Carolina* (11-5) .539 | Chad Thomas, EDGE Miami |
Tennessee* (9-7) .434 | Hercules Mata'afa, EDGE Wash St |
Atlanta* (10-6) .543 | Duke Dawson, CB UF |
New Orleans* (11-5) .535 | Equanemous St. Brown, WR Notre Dame |
Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 | Holton Hill, CB Texas |
Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 | Micah Kiser, ILB UVA |
Minnesota* (13-3) .492 | Oren Burks, OLB Vanderbilt |
New England* (13-3) .484 | Luke Falk, QB Wash St |
Buffalo - from Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 | Tony Brown, CB Alabama |
Arizona (compensatory) | Shaquem Griffin, EDGE UCF |
Houston (compensatory) | Daeshon Hamilton, WR Penn St |
Denver (compensatory) | Royce Freeman, RB Oregon |
Cincinnati (compensatory) | Joseph Notebloom, OT TCU |
Round 4
Team | Player |
---|---|
Team | Player |
Cleveland (0-16) .520 | Desmond Harrison, OT WVU |
Tampa Bay via New York Giants (3-13) .531 | Armani Watts, S TAMU |
3. Houston (4-12) .516 | Davontae Harris, CB Illinois St. |
4. Indianapolis (4-12) .480 | James Washington, WR OK St |
5. Chicago (5-11) .559 | Duke Ejiofor, DE Wake Forest |
6. Denver (5-11) .492 | Genard Avery, LB Memphis |
7. New York Jets (5-11) .520 | Dante Pettis, WR Wash |
New York Giants via Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 | Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn |
9. Denver - from San Francisco (6-10) .512 | Godwin Igwebuike, S Northwestern |
10. Oakland (6-10) .512 | Parry Nickerson, CB Tulane |
11. Los Angeles Rams - from Miami (6-10) .543 | Austin Corbett, OL Nevada |
12. Cincinnati (7-9) .465 | J.C Jackson, CB Maryland |
13. Washington (7-9) .539 | Mark Walton, RB Miami |
14. Green Bay (7-9) .539 | Keke Coutee, WR TTU |
15. Chicago - from Arizona (8-8) .488 | Kendrick Norton, DT Miami |
16. Dallas (9-7) .496 | M.J. Stewart, CB UNC |
17. Detroit (9-7) .496 | Trenton Thompson, DL Georgia |
18. Baltimore (9-7) .441 | Kevin Toliver, CB LSU |
19. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 | J'Mon Moore, WR Auburn |
20. Seattle (9-7) .492 | Kalen Ballage, RB Arizona St |
21. Buffalo* (9-7) .492 | Jordan Lasley, WR UCLA |
22. Kansas City* (10-6) .477 | Foley Fatukasi, DL Uconn |
23. Miami - from Cleveland via Carolina* (11-5) .539 | Christian Sam, LB ASU |
24. Kansas City - from Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 | Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech |
25. Tennessee* (9-7) .434 | Scott Quessenberry, OC UCLA |
26. Atlanta* (10-6) .543 | Cedrick Wilson, WR BYU |
27. New Orleans* (11-5) .535 | Trey Walker, S Louisiana-Lafayette |
28. San Francisco - from Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 | Quin Blanding, S UVA |
29. Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 | Deshon Elliot, S Texas |
30. Philadelphia via Minnesota* (13-3) .492 | Michael Dickson, P Texas |
31. Miami - from Philadelphia via New England* (13-3) .484 | Geron Christian, OT Louisville |
32. Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 | Nyheim Hines, RB NC St |
33. Green Bay (compensatory) | John Kelly, RB Tennessee |
34. Arizona (compensatory) | Alex Cappa, OT Humboldt St. |
35. Los Angeles Rams - from New York Giants (compensatory) | Anthony Miller, WR Memphis |
36. New England (compensatory) | Braxton Berrios, WR Miami |
37. Dallas (compensatory) | Akrum Wadley, RB Iowa |
Round 5
Team | Player |
---|---|
Team | Player |
1. Green Bay - from Cleveland (0-16) .520 | Tegray Scales, LB Indiana |
2. New York Giants (3-13) .531 | RJ McIntosh, DE Miami |
3. Indianapolis (4-12) .480 | Trey Flowers, S OK St |
4. Seattle - from Houston (4-12) .516 | Mason Cole, OL Michigan |
5. Denver (5-11) .492 | Allen Lazard, WR Iowa St. |
6. San Francisco - from New York Jets (5-11) .520 | Breeland Speaks, DT Miss |
7. Tampa Bay (5-11) .555 | Andrew Brown, DT Virginia |
8. Chicago (5-11) .559 | Deontay Burnett, WR USC |
9. Seattle - from Oakland (6-10) .512 | Timon Parris, OT Stony Brook |
10. New Orleans - from Miami (6-10) .543 | Dalton Schultz, TE Stanford |
11. Pittsburgh - from San Francisco (6-10) .512 | Jaryd Jones-Smith, OT Pittsburgh |
12. Washington (7-9) .539 | Greg Stroman, CB Va Tech |
13. Green Bay (7-9) .539 | Stephen Roberts, S Auburn |
14. Cincinnati (7-9) .465 | Siran Neal, S Jacksonville St. |
15. Arizona (8-8) .488 | Mike Ford, CB Southeast Missouri |
16. Detroit (9-7) .496 | Quinton Meeks, CB Stanford |
17. Baltimore (9-7) .441 | Riley Ferguson, QB Memphis |
18. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .457 | Bradley Bozeman, OL Alabama |
19. Seattle - from Philadelphia via Seattle (9-7) .492 | Brandon Facyson, CB Virginia Tech |
20. New York Jets - from Dallas (9-7) .496 | Jeff Holland, EDGE Auburn |
21. Cincinnati - from Buffalo* (9-7) .492 | Daniel Carlson, K Auburn |
22. Oakland - from Cleveland via Kansas City* (10-6) .477 | Byron Pringle, WR Kansas St |
23. Los Angeles Rams* (11-5) .504 | Dorian O'Daniel, LB Clemson |
24. Carolina* (11-5) .539 | Ray Ray McCloud, OFW Clemson |
25. Tennessee* (9-7) .434 | Ade Aruna, EDGE Tulane |
26. Denver - from Atlanta* (10-6) .543 | Jamil Demby, OL Maine |
27. New Orleans* (11-5) .535 | Fred Warner, OLB BYU |
28. Pittsburgh* (13-3) .453 | Kemoko Turay, EDGE Rutgers |
29. Buffalo - from Jacksonville* (10-6) .434 | Justin Jackson, RB Northwestern |
30. Minnesota* (13-3) .492 | Auden Tate, WR FSU |
31. Seattle - from New England* (13-3) .484 | Marcell Frazier, EDGE Mizzou |
32. Philadelphia* (13-3) .461 | Nick Nelson, CB Wisconsin |
33. Cincinnati (compensatory) | Bo Scarborough, RB Alabama |
34. Dallas (compensatory) | Tre'Quan Smith, WR UCF |
35. Green Bay (compensatory) | Deadrin Senat, DT USF |
36. Dallas (compensatory) | Jacob Pugh, OLB FSU |
37. Green Bay (compensatory) | Will Richardson, OT NC State |
Examining the Giants’ Picks
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
I’ll be honest, Josh Rosen is (and has been) QB1 for me. He’s probably the highest-graded QB that I’ve had this year and he’s perhaps the highest-graded QB I’ve had over the past several years, in the same tier of evaluations that I’ve had for Deshaun Watson and Marcus Mariota. Don’t get me wrong, I like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold as well (less so, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson) but I think Rosen is simply the most well-rounded. He’s played in a pro-style offense, overcome adversity in the way of having a different OC every year, shown toughness playing through injury, has shown evidence that he can lead his team to comeback victories. Despite media knocks on his off-the-field character (which is something I simply don’t have the information to comment on except denote that it’s a concern), the fact that many of his teammates voluntarily came forward to vehemently deny those statements is heartening. The biggest concern for me with Rosen is durability, and that’s a legitimate concern. However, given the upside that he has as a franchise QB, it’s a risk I’m more than happy to take.
Others considered: Baker Mayfield, Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb, Quinton Nelson
Josh Sweat, EDGE, FSU
The Giants decided to trade Jason Pierre-Paul because of his contract and possible fit. They definitely have a need at EDGE rusher, with really only Olivier Vernon as a bonafide starter (though Avery Moss and Romeo Okwara have upside). Enter Josh Sweat.
He’s a long, explosive pass-rusher with good speed to power, short area quickness and violent, long hands that allow him to disengage with blockers and wrap up quarterbacks and running backs. He comes with a big “if” and that’s his knee, with a severe injury in HS and a meniscal tear in 2016. Big upside here.
Others considered: Jaire Alexander, Braden Smith, Sony Michel, Courtland Sutton
Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
You want a “Hog Molly?” Crosby was the definition of one in the Pac-12 with the Oregon Ducks. I honestly would have been okay with Crosby in Round 2, so there was really nobody else I considered when he was available in Round 3. A powerful, powerful player with long arms at 6-5, 325 pounds.
He is a monstrosity as a run blocker and seeing a man that size getting out on screens is something to see. He has some work to do as a pass blocker, but in the three games of his that I saw, he had solid footwork but was leaning into opponents at times. My comparison to him would be La’el Collins. Same type of nasty streak, Crosby is a little less polished but also a little bit bigger. He’ll fit right in for what the Giants want to do on offense.
Others considered: Tarvarus McFadden, Frank Ragnow
Tarvarus McFadden, CB, FSU
When you evaluate players, there will be a few guys that will be “your guys” and your evaluation will differ from the general consensus. Tarvarus McFadden is one of those guys for me. Few players have had a worse offseason than McFadden. He bombed the combine 40, running a 4.68. He didn’t do much better at his pro-day, running anywhere from a 4.50-4.57.
Looking at the actual player on the field, you see a guy who is physical at the LOS, has long arms and a savvy way of playing, fighting for the ball, being physical with the receiver during the route, and having very good change of direction for a 6-2 corner. Will he be a fast player that can keep up with the burners in the NFL? No. Will he be able to match up with bigger slot receivers and guys like Kelvin Benjamin? Yes. David Gettleman has drafted players like this before, like Josh Norman and James Bradberry. McFadden has a good chance of sticking with this team.
Others considered: Frank Ragnow, Terrell Edmunds, Da’Shawn Hand, Shaquem Griffin
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
Finally, they say, a running back! A very underrated running back, too, I might add. Johnson has snuck by this star studded RB group, but he certainly could be among one of the biggest draft day steals.
He is explosive and bursts through the hole with a purpose. He also doesn’t go down on initial contact and will fight for every yard. Vision is also very good. Biggest issue is that he’s like Wayne Gallman in that he has a very upright running style. Makes him susceptible to ankle tackles. I liken him to Tevin Coleman or Karlos Williams. Would certainly be a factor in the NY Giants RB room.
Others considered: Kendrick Norton, J’Mon Moore, Kevin Toliver
RJ McIntosh, DE, Miami
As a Miami fan, I might be a little biased but I really like both McIntosh and Kendrick Norton, their other DT. McIntosh played a little bit of 3 technique as well as 5/7 technique for Miami and held up pretty well.
At 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, he would be a base 5 technique for the Giants and he’s one that actually a little bit better against the pass than against the run. He’s quick and explosive with good short area quickness and can penetrate gaps. He needs some time in the weight room though, as he’s got some issues anchoring down. Strength is something can be taught and improved in an NFL program. He’ll be a developmental pick, but I think has a chance to make some noise in the future.
Others considered: Quinton Meeks, Deontay Burnett, Ray Ray McCloud
Final Thoughts
Like every year, this was a difficult but fun exercise. It’s always great to see the discussions on these types of posts because everybody has an idea on how the team should go in the draft. The Giants, luckily or unluckily, are in the driver’s seat in the first round. While I hold Josh Rosen in very high regard, I have a feeling the Giants are smitten with either Sam Darnold or Josh Allen. I do think that one of those guys will be the pick. As good as Saquon Barkley is (and boy, is he good), I just don’t see the Giants pulling the trigger. If they do, they’ve got a unique weapon in their hands in an offense full of unique weapons (Please don’t leave, Odell).
It’s also interesting to look at the Colts and see what they got after moving down with the Jets. They got a haul of Bradley Chubb, Braden Smith, Sony Michel, and Mike Hughes in the first round. Would you take that over a QB? It certainly makes for an interesting discussion. Let me know how I did and what you guys would do!
Poll
Grade It.
This poll is closed
-
10%
A
-
36%
B
-
35%
C
-
11%
D
-
5%
F