The New York Giants are approaching a crucial draft. We break down all seven rounds with detailed projections ahead of the NFL combine.
When it comes to the New York Giants, it seems as though they just can’t get balanced right. After two years of great play on offense and poor defense, Jerry Reese finally went out and spent the money to revamp his defense and did a great job of it.
The defense was stellar this past season (outside of the linebacker position) but the offense seemed out of sync. The Giants will have holes to fill on both sides of the ball with contracts expiring
So, what will Reese do when Goodell announces the Giants are on the clock? Right now, there’s no telling, but it could look something this …
Here’s a New York Giants 2017 mock NFL Draft:
1(23). Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Although there’s still hope for Ereck Flowers inside of the Giants organization, it likely won’t be at left tackle. Ryan Ramczyk is an offensive lineman who has proven himself all season going against the likes of Taco Charlton (projected first round Pick in 2017) and Arden Key (projected first round pick in 2018).
Ramczyk offers the versatility to succeed in different schemes which could provide comfort for McAdoo with the passing game giving Eli Manning actual time to throw downfield. Wisconsin is known for producing instant impact quality lineman and Ramczyk will likely be next. If available, the Giants will have the ability to fill a dire need early in this draft.
2(55). Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
With pieces in place on the outside with Odell Beckham Jr and Sterling Shepard working in the slot, the Giants lacked a tight end to make their passing game the total package. Insert Engram, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 235 pounds. He’s not going to blow you away with his measurables, but he doesn’t need to.
Engram is a very clean and quick tight end who is often compared to Jordan Reed. With his dominance in the Receiving game, he could be used as a go-to target that the Giants have lacked for quite some time.
A great way to scout players is in big games and the best coverage linebackers Ole Miss faced came from Alabama. Even in a game with such defensive pressure, Engram put up a stat line of nine catches, 138 yards and one touchdown. Providing Eli with a check down option and giving defenses another threat to worry about provides the Giants with the ability to make much more happen on the offensive side of the ball again this year.
3(87). Jordan Willis, EDGE, Kansas State
The positions of need for New York will become much more clear after we see how free agency goes. However, it is very likely the Giants will need to address the defensive line depending on whether Johnathan Hankins or Jason Pierre-Paul leaves.
Willis is a run stopping expert and when you need to face Ezekiel Elliott twice per season, things like that can only entice you more. A high effort guy who has received high praise from longtime Kansas State coach Bill Snyder, it’s obvious he fits the bill of a Giant as Jerry Reese loves his high character guys. A hard working and already productive edge rusher is an enticing add but in the third round, the mix of value, need and potential is just too good to pass up.
4(140). Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU
The biggest concern with Beckwith is the fact that he tore his ACL right before the final regular season game. He will likely miss time for whoever drafts him. However, he could be a great draft pick for whoever is willing to wait.
Being moved back to the end of the fourth round, the Giants will be faced with still wanting to get valuable picks but may have to forgo an instant impact player and select a valuable asset for the future. The Giants have one of the best defensive lines in football, but when it comes to linebacker, their mix of players was rather average.
Beckwith has succeeded at inside linebacker in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes so he could provide versatility to the defense in terms of coverage and playmaking ability. The Giants will be needing to keep up with the bright future of the Cowboys, selecting the highest upside talent remaining would be the prudent choice.
5(169). Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky
The game against the Packers and the release of Victor Cruz have made a message clear: the Giants aren’t completely satisfied with their receiving corps just yet. Odell Beckham Jr. And Sterling Shepard are obviously talented and will be a solid 1-2 punch in the passing game. Taywan Taylor could be a perfect third option to take the passing game from good to deadly.
Taylor starts with being a very capable route runner which is loved in any organization. Not only was he quick and agile he also had the speed to beat teams over the top. When you already have a deep threat like Beckham Jr., getting another guy to push the ball downfield allows for more production throughout the offense.
At Western Kentucky, Taylor also had a lot of routes that would be classified as screen passes or bubble routes but in a system where weapons such as OBJ, Shepard and Evan Engram are there, the opportunity to capitalize on plays like this are still available. If available, Taylor put together with this already impressive receiving core would either keep defensive coordinators up all night trying to find out how to stop them, or give them nightmares dreaming about them.
6(199). Sefo Liufau, QB, Colorado
It seems safe to say that it’s okay to stop the belief that Ryan Nassib will be Eli’s replacement. Maybe sending him to Jacksonville for a conditional sixth round pick that could move to a fifth if he starts more than four games. ends the Nassib saga.
Eli Manning is 36-years-old and isn’t aging as blissfully as Tom Brady. Eli can still compete for another few years at a high level, but it seems that he’s past his prime. He performed better in playoffs but the decline is beginning to take shape. Many mocking this pick might select Chad Kelly, the red flag riddled gunslinger with the same alma mater as Eli. However, Reese may take a hard pass given his character issues.
Kelly, who in fairness does carry a high upside, may not be worth the selection with the focus needing to be on the field not concerns over a guy who is expected to keep quiet and dig his head in the playbook for the next couple of years. Liufau is no disappointing selection, though, as a four-year starter at Colorado, Liufau is a highly respected QB for any coach that went against him for his incredible toughness and desire to compete.
He has a very impressive ability to push the ball downfield and it will be up to the development of staff to work with him on his ability to make quick reads. MacAdoo will have his first development job as a head coach and a great kid like Liufau is a lot easier to manage than any high-risk prospects others may consider.
7(236). Jake Elliott, K, Memphis
There’s a new rookie sensation that goes by the name of Elliott in the NFC East. The Giants had a horrible situation with their former kicker Josh Brown last season. Signing Robbie Gould as the season continued was a quick fix, but the Giants will look for a long term kicker going forward.
It’s likely that the top kicking prospect, Zane Gonzalez, will be off the board, but Elliott is still a solid kicker. Going 10-of-12 in the 40-plus range and never missing on all 144 extra point tries in his career, the Giants will be happy to regain consistency at the kicking spot and hope that this one doesn’t raise any negative press off the field.