The first day didn’t exactly go as planned for the Giants, who were out-maneuvered by the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears, and may have been caught reaching for a pick who could’ve been available later in the first round. But there’s a bright side to their crazy Thursday night scramble.
Friday brings two more rounds to try and get right.
And the good news they’ll see, once the smoke of the first-round clears, is that there’s a lot of talent and potential still on the board. There are even some players whom many scouts projected as first-round picks. And there’s also UCLA’s super-talented linebacker, the super-risky Myles Jack.
GIANTS SELECT ELI APPLE WITH 10TH OVERALL PICK IN NFL DRAFT
Who will the Giants pick? As you saw in Round 1, nothing is certain. But the Giants still have needs at right tackle, receiver, safety and linebacker/pass rusher. So here are 10 players they’ll have to consider with the ninth pick of the second round (40th overall) and again with the eighth pick of Round 3 (No. 71):
UCLA LB Myles Jack (6-1, 245) – He is the best player left on everybody’s board, but he obviously comes with a huge health risk. The Giants took him off their board in the first-round, but could he be back on for the second? It’s easier to take risks once the first round is over. But he still could be a tough sell at No. 40 for an injury-plagued team.
Indiana OL Jason Spriggs (6-6, 301) – If he lasts nine picks he may be the most likely choice for the Giants, who absolutely want to draft their next right tackle on Friday. There was a big push – from the coaches, I hear – to take a tackle at 10 before the first-round went awry. He’s got good size and would at least compete with Marshall Newhouse for the RT job.
Clemson DE Kevin Dodd (6-5, 277) – Considering a few weeks ago some scouts thought he might be on the Giants’ radar at 10, it’s shocking he’s available in Round 2. The Giants love pass rushers and know they may need a replacement for Jason Pierre-Paul after this season. Word is they prefer a linebacker to a defensive end, though, given the choice.
Alabama DT A’Shawn Robinson (6-4, 307) – Another shocker that he’s still around. He’s an ideal NFL D-tackle out of program that has produced many D-linemen, and he’s played some at end. His size, strength and versatility should be something the Giants love. And with Johnathan Hankins set to be a free agent after this year, he could be the future.
Texas Tech OL Le’Raven Clark (6-5, 316) – Like I said, the Giants will come out of Day 2 of the draft without a potential right tackle if their plans don’t go awry again. Clark could be in the mix given his size, but it may depend on what position the Giants peg him to play. Some scouts say tackle. Some say guard. The Giants do famously like versatility in their linemen, though, so that could help his cause.
Ohio State WR Michael Thomas (6-3, 212) – Many scouts think Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard is the next best WR on the board, but I’m not sure the Giants want a 5-10 slot receiver. I think they want some size, which they’ll find here in Keyshawn Johnson’s nephew. He might be a bit of a project and No. 40 could be too high. But if he’s still sitting there in Round 3 …
Alabama LB Reggie Ragland (6-1, 247) – In case you haven’t noticed, the Giants haven’t really found a replacement for Jon Beason … or really, for Antonio Pierce … at middle linebacker. He’s not the fastest LB, which could spell NFL trouble. It was also reported a few days ago that some NFL teams are worried about Ragland because he has an enlarged aorta, which may eventually require surgery.
Pittsburgh WR Tyler Boyd (6-1, 197) – A tough receiver, not afraid to go over the middle who may not have breakaway, deep speed, but has proven to be reliable, even with a shaky quarterback. He also could be available in the third round, which seems to be the more likely spot for the Giants to look for receiving help.
Arkansas TE Hunter Henry (6-5, 250) – It would be so unlike the Giants to take a tight end early in the draft, but maybe this is a new era? Henry’s a first-round talent who didn’t go in the first because tight ends aren’t usually valued that high. But he’s a good blocker, especially in the run game, and a strong receiver who could be a fantastic red-zone target. And remember, the new Giants coach is a former offensive coordinator who came from the Packers, where they used to get a lot of use out of their tight ends.
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Eastern Kentucky DE Noah Spence (6-2, 251) – The Giants love his athletic ability, but the question remains how they – and everyone else – feel about his character. His drug issues were so bad he was permanently banned from the Big 10, though by all accounts he got his life back together and got clean when he transferred. He didn’t play against the best competition there, and he may need to add a little weight, but overall those may be the least of anyone’s concerns.
Other key available players after Round 1: Oklahoma State DE Emmanuel Ogbah (6-4, 273), LSU OL Vadal Alexander (6-5, 326), Ohio State WR Braxton Miller (6-1, 201), Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo (6-0, 211), Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard (5-10, 194), Ohio State S Vonn Bell (5-11, 199), Alabama DT Jarran Reed (6-3, 307), Baylor DT Andrew Billings (6-1, 311), Florida DT Jonathan Bullard (6-3, 285).
