Sports Illustrated projects Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary to be selected No. 5 overall by the Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft.
On Monday, Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary announced he would forego his senior season. He would thus enter the 2019 NFL Draft and go pro next season.
It was perfect timing for “MMQB” of Sports Illustrated, who released their second mock draft on Tuesday. The major news publication has the Wolverine defensive lineman going No. 5 overall to the New York Giants.
This, of course, would be in the event that the NFL season ended today (and the No. 5 slot holds up).
With each projected pick comes a brief explanation by SI writers has to why the selection would make sense. And according to writers Albert Breer and Kalyn Kahler, there’s reasoning behind this prediction.
“It would be a homecoming for the New Jersey native, who has as much raw talent as any player in this draft and the ability to play the edge or inside. Durability was an issue for Gary this season, but the reward could be huge with one of the draft’s boom-or-bust prospects.”
Gary, in his three-year career at UM, has racked up 119 total tackles along with 9.5 sacks. He also has one forced fumble as well.
He’s a good player nonetheless and will be one of the top players in the draft. However, Big Blue shouldn’t select Gary with their first pick. With defensive linemen Kerry Wynn, Dalvin Tomlinson Josh Mauro, and Mario Edwards, do they really need more depth at that position?
If anything, they should look to draft a quarterback if they have that high of a pick. Eli Manning‘s time is dwindling, and if the Giants didn’t draft one last year, drafting one this year should definitely be a priority.
And as far as depth defensively, they should look for a replacement for OLB Olivier Vernon. This coming offseason, he more or less should be traded or released.
