May 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants general manger Jerry Reese, 1st round draft pick safety Eli Apple (28) and head coach Ben McAdoo during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
With the New York Giants knocked out of the playoffs, everyone has refocused their attention towards the NFL Draft.
Between April 27 and 29 in Philadelphia, the New York Giants faithful will be hopeful their team can take yet another step towards the eventual goal of winning a championship.
Always a surprise on draft night, the Giants have done relatively well of late (just look at last year’s selections) in the draft, but certainly have some rough picks in their history.
Six different writers came up with six different draft picks for the Giants to choose with the 23rd overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Here’s who our top Giants experts at ESNY think will have their name called by Big Blue on draft night.
Jul 15, 2016; Hollywood, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive end Solomon Thomas poses during Pac-12 media day at Hollywood & Highland. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With the 23rd spot, the Giants could go a few different ways. However, if Jason Pierre-Paul is not brought back, that leaves a glaring hole at defensive end. Yes, Romeo Okwara played valiantly in his absence, but depth on the defensive line has always benefited defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Fortunately for the G-men, defensive end is arguably the deepest position in the draft, top heavy with premium talent. Myles Garrett, Jonathon Allen and Derek Barnett will likely be gone by the time the Giants pick, but one player to watch is Stanford’s Solomon Thomas.
The junior finished with eight sacks, and a showcased a disruptive performance in the Sun Bowl against Mitch Trubisky and North Carolina. At 6-foot-3 and 273 lbs, he has the ideal size to play in any scheme and would compliment Olivier Vernon well.
The only question is in a draft dominated by defense, will Thomas still be on the board at 23?
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) carries the ball during the second half against Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Odell Beckham Jr. can no longer be the lone elite weapon on the New York Giants offense. This much was abundantly clear during the team’s 38-13 wild card playoff exit at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. When Beckham struggled, so did the rest of the offense.
Enter the freakishly athletic Dalvin Cook. Leaving college as the Florida State Seminoles all-time leader in rushing yards (4,64) and rushing touchdowns (46), Cook recorded 1,000 plus yard seasons on the ground in each of his three collegiate seasons.
The 5-foot-11 213-pound Cook is a true home run threat whenever he gets his hands on the football. During his 2016 campaign, the former ACC Championship Game MVP racked up a career-high 1,765 rushing yards on 6.1 yards per carry average with 19 touchdowns. He also added 33 receptions for 488 yards and a score to his season stat line.
Adding Cook to the Giants would immediately bolster a rushing attack that finished 29th in the league in yards per game. With New York also getting the return of Shane Vereen and the continued development of Paul Perkins next season, the team suddenly has the lethal backfield stable they’ve lacked since the days of “Earth, Wind, and Fire” days of Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Derrick Ward.
Cook could be the Giants’ running back of the future, and his presence in the ground game will open up a lot of opportunities for quarterback Eli Manning in the passing attack. Cook’s electrifying play style is exactly what this team needs to vault itself back into the conversation of the NFL’s elite offenses.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs the ball past Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) during the fourth quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants’ biggest need is an offensive tackle, but the only real first round prospect this year worth taking a look at is Alabama’s Cam Robinson. He will likely be gone by the time the Giants select.
It’s possible that Robinson’s teammate, tight end OJ Howard, will still be on the board. Eli Manning hasn’t had a really strong tight end since Jeremy Shockey (unless you count that one year of Martellus Bennett), but Howard could turn into the security blanket over the middle the Giants need.
At 6-foot-6′, 242 lbs, Howard has the size to be an elite tight end in the NFL. His athleticism is off the charts, as well. Against linebackers, he’s too fast; against defensive backs, he’s too big.
OJ Howard could turn into an elite NFL tight end, and taking him in the first round could give the Giants a different dimension on offense. Unless Cam Robinson drops to 23, the Giants would be well served to draft a tight end. Howard could be the guy.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants have reportedly started thinking about Eli Manning’s successor, and Watson, a high-end talent with a penchant for winning the big game, should be on their radar.
Now I know, there are more pressing needs at left tackle and middle linebacker, but opportunities to select a passer like Watson don’t present themselves every day. Watson has good pocket awareness and the ability to make plays with his feet.
Although there are concerns about his intermediate accuracy and lack of experience making progression reads, scouts look for the ‘toolbox’ (size, arm talent, mechanics, and footwork), and he doesn’t disappoint.
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk (65) blocks Western Michigan Broncos defensive end Keion Adams (1) in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers won 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Certainly, the Giants adage over the past few years has been to draft the best player available, don’t draft based on fit.
Luckily, Ryan Ramczyk is the best of both worlds.
The kid is a big, physical, B1G tackle from a school known for producing top linemen. He’s incredible as a pulling tackle and could be an immediate upgrade on the right side, with plans to move him to the left as he develops.
In fact, if not for the hip surgery he had late in this season, Ramczyk would likely not even be there when the Giants draft. Even with the surgery, he still might not be.
This seems like a no-brainer for New York at 23.
Nov 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) is congratulated by teammates after a fumble recovery during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sure, in 2016 the Giants had a dominant defense, but it could be better. Their linebacking corps were one of the worst in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
The Giants have been known for their impressive linebackers in years past, but recently the position has underperformed.
It hasn’t been helped by Jerry Reese ignoring the position in the draft in recent years.
However, there is some doubt on whether Cunningham will declare for the draft. If he is to declare and fall to the Giants, there is no reason for Big Blue not to draft him.
There have been some questions about the Vandy linebackers ability in run defense, more specifically, tackling. It is believed that if Cunningham puts on some more weight, then he will be able to shore up that area of his game up.
On the other hand, the young linebacker is outstanding in coverage. If drafted by the Giants he would immediately be considered their best linebacker in coverage in years.
If Zach Cunningham is on the board when the Giants are drafting, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be their selection.
NEXT: It’s time for the New York Giants to part ways with Victor Cruz