Of course the early rounds are important, but what about late round gems? Here’s a few the New York Giants are interested in.
By Jack Aylmer
While most of the publicity gets thrown around to the prospects who’ll be nicely dressed in the green room come Thursday night, the NFL Draft is about much more than one round.
Hell, it’s much more than even the middle rounds.
Late round picks often turn out to be gems. Nobody needs a history lesson. It’s been proven throughout football’s illustrious history.
Here’s an in-depth look at some of the late round, or undrafted free-agent prospects the New York Giants have shown an interest in.
Matt Deiana, RB, William Patterson
The 5’7″ and 187 lbs Deiana jumps off the tape as a runner with his incredible vision as a runner and ability to make defenders miss. A team captain his senior season, Deiana ranks fourth All-Time in rushing in William Patterson school history, sixth All-Time in all-purpose yards in school history, and holds the records for the max bench press and dead-lift ever done by a running back at the school.
“I would most compare my play to Darren Sproles, because we both play much bigger than our size,” noted Deiana. “Both of us are utilized to catch passes, but can also run the ball inside and be accountable in pass protection when necessary. Our size doesn’t have an effect on our play and we also can contribute on special teams.”
The All-NJAC Second Team honoree was a redshirt in 2011 with the University of Connecticut and played his 2012 season at SUNY Cortland. During his three seasons with William Patterson, Deiana took 331 carries for 1492 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 44 catches for 414 yards and one touchdown in the passing game.
“I thought it went really well,” said Deiana on his Giants’ visit. “The running backs coach had a lot of positives to say to me during drills and at the end of the day told me I had great feet and hands, so we will see.”
Deiana best projects as a priority free agent signing for the Giants. Should the team pick him up, he would have to battle fellow change of pace runners Bobby Rainey and Orleans Darkwa for a roster spot. Deiana’s ability to also contribute as a slot receiver, kick returner, punt returner, and gunner should give him somewhat of advantage, as he attempts to compete with the NFL experience of Rainey and Darkwa.
Tyrell Smith, OT, UMASS
Tyrell Smith is an athletic 6’6″ 323 lbs. bulldozer who started games at both left tackle and guard for the Minutemen. Smith garnered accolades as a Phil Steele Preseason All-MAC Fourth Team Offensive Line and a Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Second Team Offensive Tackle in 2015 after a successful run in 2014 where he earned the starting left tackle gig in all 12 games as redshirt sophomore.
“It was a cool opportunity getting to visit with the home town team,” said the Lakewood, New Jersey native on his workout with Big Blue. “I thought everything went very well. I was able to meet with a few members of the staff, including offensive line coach. Just got to stay in shape from here on out and wait for my next opportunity.”
Known for his excellent pass blocking after holding dow the line side on an offensive line that allowed their quarterback to produce 311.8 yards per game through the air (the 11th-most in NCAA Division I FBS through the end of the 2014 season), Smith projects to be a sixth-seventh round selection in the upcoming Draft.
Due to their lack of a seventh round pick, New York will either have to secure his services in the sixth, or hope they can sign him as an undrafted free agent.
Jaleel Reddick, Safety, Lincoln
Another New Jersey native, Newark’s own Jaleel Reddick is a versatile defensive back and special teams contributor. The 5’10” and 185 lbs. Reddick took back 15 kickoffs for 261 yards last season, including one massive 63 yard return.
I feel as though I would fit in as a member of the New York Giants because I’m a player who “gets in where I fit in,” noted Reddick. What I mean when I say that is, I’m a humble player to the point a coach would not have to ever worry about my ego getting in the way of any duty he asks me to carry out. I’m the type of player that will work my way up from the practice squad all the way to the game roster if that’s what it takes for me to get on the field. I’m not afraid to line up on special teams. I will run down on kick off or as a gunner on punt and make the tackle; I will get back on punt return and kick return and return the kick. I feel as though that style of play fits my personality on the field and would be an easy fit for me but at the same time I would use the veterans around me and learn from them. I’m a ball hawk and a decapitator on receivers coming across the middle. I feel I would add some spark on that side of the ball. And plus, it would feel great to play in my home state.”
Reddick spoke with the Giants following his Pro Day, and has also drawn interest from the Indianapolis Colts as well. The FCS Bowl and the FBS All-American Tropic Bowl has garnered attention mainly for his ability to display flashes of tremendous speed and quickness, which make for some big time eye-popping plays.
“My greatest strengths as a football player are my leadership skills, physicality, speed and quickness,” said Reddick. “My coach has told me I have an infectious energy that spreads through my teammates on and off the field, and that brings the best out of my teammates, whether we are in the weight room or on the field going to war.”
Reddick has the odds largely against him to hear his name called on Draft day, but he is a player the Giants will keep tabs on during the UDFA signing period.
Junior Lee, Safety, UCONN
Speaking of homegrown and versatile safeties who have shown a knack for outstanding special teams work, Brooklyn’s own 6’0″ and 206 lbs Junior Lee was invited to visit the Giants during the team’s local Pro Day.
“The most exciting thing would probably be the pride behind it,” said Lee on the prospect of playing for New York. “See I’m from NYC, and the people I have behind me looking at me as an example means everything to me and I will have the utmost pride in being a member of the Giants and playing football for them. For me, I’m just happy playing football because I love the game, but to play for the Giants I would be ecstatic. I’m proud of my city and being from there.”
Sources said following Lee’s workout with the team Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo praised the former Huskies’ ability. Lee also participated in a film session with the New York defensive backs’ coaching staff and did punt return drills for the team.
Lee recorded 60 tackles, half a sack, five passes defended, and one interception for UCONN over the course of his collegiate career.
“I think my size and ability to move gives me a great advantage and I’m good at taking in information,” said Lee. “Also, I have the ability to be versatile so I can be a safety, a linebacker, and even get some corner in. I also bring the possibility of dominating at all special teams slots, so I feel as if the Giants would get their money’s worth, and that’s what a lot of teams are looking for.”
Lee projects as mid-late round prospect, likely falling in the fifth-seventh round range.
Kaiwan Lewis, MLB, Rutgers
The 6’2″ and 220 lbs Lewis attended the Giants’ local Pro Day, after four years of doling out big hits in the college football world.
Lewis saw action in 11 games for the South Carolina Gamecocks as a true freshman in 2012. The following year he started at the middle linebacker position, while earning the team’s Most Improved Linebacker honors after finishing third on the squad with 54 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovered.
Lewis again started for South Carolina his junior year, but then chose to transfer to Rutgers for his senior season to be closer to his family following the death of his brother. With the Scarlet Knights, Lewis finished third on the team with 69 tackles and second on the squad with two interceptions.
“My family just motivates me to stay on the right path and not make the same mistakes that they may have made,” said Lewis on his families support. “They remind me of the great opportunity I have in front of me. Also, I never want to disappoint them so I use that to keep myself going as well.”
With the Giants’ struggling to cover opposing tight ends last season, bringing in the athletic Lewis makes sense as he excels in covering the middle of the field. He could fit an immediate need for the team and compete right away with veterans Jasper Brinkley and Keenan Robinson.
“I feel as though drafting me is a very a low risk,” said Lewis. “I’m a high character guy who has had early success since high school, starting as a true freshmen, playing as a freshman in college, and starting over 25 games in my college career. I’m also a guy who has played tons of special teams throughout my entire college career.”
Lewis has been touted as a likely fourth round pick, and with his exceptional tackling and ball skills could be one of the steals of the 2016 Draft Class.
Jake Ceresna, DL, SUNY Cortland
Jake Ceresna is a powerful (32 reps on the 25 bench press) 6’5″ and 290 lbs defensive lineman who is quickly rising up draft boards and the Giants have taken notice. Per a source, Big Blue brought him in for their local Pro Day and were impressed enough with his workout that they requested additional tape from Ceresna afterwards.
“I strive to be like the best in the business, said Ceresna. “So I constantly compare myself to JJ Watt, and constantly watch tape on him to see what makes him great. I am not on the level that he is at, but my goal is to be as good as he is and better. I believe we share similar qualities in our size and ability to play any position on the defensive line.”
Ceresna started every game his senior season and recorded 63 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for a loss. He was number one on the team in sacks and tackles for a loss on his team, and the defensive lineman closest to Ceresna’s tackles total only barely recorded over half his output with 34.
“They would be getting a guy who is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful,” said Ceresna on why the Giants should Draft him. “I pride myself in being the hardest working guy in the room and perfecting my craft.”
Simply put, Ceresna was dominate among his small school competition. He was a man on a mission every single play trying to take somebody’s head off. Off the field he is an extremely personable guy who reportedly hit it off with the New York coaching staff.
The lack of NFL competition Ceresna dominated against and how he will handle the transition to pro football is the question general managers will try to solve. It is hard to tell where his stock will finally be determined at, but Ceresna looks to have the physical and athletic attributes to make him around a fifth round selection.
Perez Ford, DE, Northern Illinois
Referred to as some scouts as the “Kahlil Mack 2.0,” at 6’0″ and 227 lbs, Perez Ford was originally projected to be a 3-4 outside linebacker at the NFL level. However, a recent and positive jump in Ford’s playing weight may alter that perception.
Ford was dealing with an ankle injury during his Pro Day, so did not participate in drills, thus having him decide to hold his own personal Pro Day for NFL teams.
“I just wanted to show everyone that my ankle is good, I am better,” said Perez on his private workout in front of NFL teams. “There’s no problems there. As a linebacker, I wanted to show that I can drop in space and move fluidly. That’s not a problem for me.”
According to Ford’s agent, during his weigh in at this private workout he had “put on 12 pounds of solid muscle since his Pro Day,” meaning sticking him at the 4-3 defensive end slot just became a lot more likely.
Per a source, the Giants were one of the 20 or so NFL teams that attended the private workout as they continue to search for weapons to replenish their pass rushing arsenal.
“My football I.Q., easily,” said Ford when asked what his greatest strength was a football player. “During the week before any game I know what is coming at me. I know what to anticipate.”
Ford will finish his four-year career with Huskies after tallying 120 tackles, 14 sacks, 24.5 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, and three passes defended.
A devastating edge disruptor, Ford is an athletic force who uses his quickness to get around opposing blockers. His size was a question mark for some NFL teams, although the work he has shown to add all that new weight is a positive sign, not only for his potential immediate impact in the league, but for his commitment to his craft.
Ford projects a mid-round pick, possibly going as high as the third round.