E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat
writer for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995. He is the author of 26 books
and he is one of only three sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls.
Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.
DRAFT PREVIEW 2: GIANTS STILL HAVE HOLES, ROLES TO FILL AND DEFENSIVE FUTURE
TO CONSIDER By Aaron
Klein
The Giants spent a good part of their free agency money on improving the
defense, filling holes, securing a few of their own free agents and creating competition
where there had not been much. Guess
what? If general manager Jerry Reese thinks he's done with the defense, he's sorely
mistaken. Of course, Reese knows better
and so do you. Forget that the team re-signed MIKE 'backer Jon Beason. Ignore
the addition of new defensive backs, including cornerbacks Dominique Rogers-Cromartie
and Walter Thurmond. Don't mention the signing of defensive end Robert Ayers or
SAM 'backer Jameel McClain. Plenty of
work on the defense remains and, while we've all talked about tight end Eric Ebron
-- the latest hot topic is that the Giants, and even Victor Cruz, want wide receiver
Mike Adams in the first round -- there are defensive linemen, linebackers and
defensive backs to be had in all rounds, maybe even the first. DEFENSIVE
LINEMEN Once Linval Joseph jumped ship and
signed with Minnesota, it was determined by the entire universe that the Giants
had to draft a defensive tackle in the first round. Firstly, they had a feeling
that Joseph might not come back, thus the selection of Jonathan Hankins in the
second round of the 2013 draft as well as the free agency signing of Cullen Jenkins
last year. Secondly, choosing a defensive tackle in the first round, with all
of the other more obvious holes, might be reckless unless that player is at least
a five-year starter. This is not the
best year for defensive tackles and the Giants know it. However, there are some
solid players projected for every round and there's no reason why the Giants wouldn't
at least consider one of them. However,
Pitt's Aaron Donald appears to be the class of the group, but at 6-1 and 285 pounds
is he a fit for the Giants' defensive front, regardless of his measurables? Ranked
below him is Florida State's Timmy Jernigan (6-2, 300), who is more of a nose
tackle than a 4-3 DT. Much to the chagrin
of many of you, the Giants may very well pass on both in the first round and might
not touch a defensive tackle until the middle rounds, where value can be found.
Maybe they grab Notre Dame DT Stephon
Tuitt (6-6, 304) in the second round, or Florida's Dominque Easley (6-2, 288),
who has the chance to swing out to the end, or LSU's Ego Ferguson (6-3, 315) in
the third. Now, since Justin Tuck is
gone, Jason Pierre-Paul is coming off several injuries and a bad year and Damontre
Moore has yet to prove himself, signing Ayers was more about plugging a hole for
the short-term and not solidifying the defensive end position for the long haul.
Therefore, the team will almost certainly come out of the draft with at least
one new defensive end. No. The Giants
will not get South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney. End that fantasy right quick.
Do it right now! A personal favorite
is Stanford's Trent Murphy, a massive pass rusher at nearly 6-5, 250, who could
play the strong side as a down lineman or as an outside linebacker. If the Giants
want him, they'll likely have to use their second-round pick to get him. Louisville's
Marcus Smith, who uses speed, athleticism and competitive spirit to overcome a
size disadvantage against big NFL tackles, could be the steal of the second round
at No. 12 if the Giants go that route. He's a pass rusher first and one of the
negatives is that he's not stout against the run (as Tuck was) and has to rely
on quickness to disrupt the play instead of power. Flying
under the media radar is Virginia Tech's James Gayle, though many teams have fallen
for him. The tough senior moved from the weak side to the strong side last season
and he struggled a bit. As a result, he's currently projected as a fourth-round
pick. However, he has power and a natural ability to shed blockers, use his hands
wisely, find the right angles and pursue from the left side as well as anyone
in the draft. Some have likened him to Jared Allen, at least a poor-man's version
of the former Vikings' star. LINEBACKERS
If the first round falls just right, the Giants could be faced with a cornerback
or safety who they cannot pass up. And just because Beason is back, do you really
think that the team is set at MIKE for the next few seasons? Beason was excellent
against the run and even better as leader, but he hasn't shown much in coverage
and, unless defensive coordinator Perry Fewell changes his defense, they might
need to think about the long term up the middle. A quick look at the depth chart
shows that only Mark Herzlich, who had chances to win the job yet could not, offers
experienced depth. The Giants need to
consider the future at outside and middle linebacker, though they haven't really
shown much interest in recent years. Yes, the days of Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson
and Carl Banks are long gone, but the position still exists and team must fill
open spots on the depth chart. As usual
in the draft, teams will have to find someone who projects to the position since
there are usually so few pure MIKEs to be found in the first three rounds. However,
the Giants could find themselves in an uncomfortable position in the first round,
since the best middle linebacker, Alabama's C.J. Mosely (6-2, 234), a player the
Giants like very much, might not have value at No. 12 (as of now) but would likely
be gone by the time the team's second-round pick comes up. What to do?
Still, the Giants could look at Wisconsin's Chris Borland (6-0, 248) in the third,
or take a shot at UCLA's Jordan Zumalt (6-4, 235) or Cal's Khairi Fortt (6-2,
248), both of whom sport versatility with outside experience as well. Outside
linebacker, seemingly not as valued in the Giants' system as in others, should
still be a priority. The best of the 2014 class is Buffalo's Kahlil Mack 6-3,
251). Projected as a Top 5 pick, there's only one way the Giants could get him
if his rating is accurate – trade up for him, and they just won't do that. One
player who has been mocked into the No. 12 spot more than once is UCLA's Anthony
Barr (6-5, 255), who could project to defensive end if he can improve his upper
body strength. He's been sliding in many mock drafts and the Giants could let
him pass. Instead, there will be a host of outside linebackers deep into Round
5 who could become regulars in the NFL.
Ohio State WIL Ryan Shazier (6-1, 237) could also present a problem for the Giants
and he's certainly not a Top 12 player though will likely be snapped up late in
the first or early in the second. The dynamic, powerful and quick player is on
the radar of many teams and, if the Giants are tempted to trade out of the No.
12 spot, he could pop up on their board.
Two other players of note: WILL Howard Jones (6-3, 235), out of Division II Shepherd
University, has drawn plenty of attention and many teams are keeping his name
out of the chatterbox for fear of losing a sleeper. Equally, Arkansas SAM 'backer
Chris Smith (6-1, 266) will have to be converted from DE to LB and, while that
might actually help his draft stock, it also puts pressure on his future pro team.
CORNERBACKS A solid group in this year's draft is that of cornerback. The
Giants did bring in DRC, Thurmond and Zack Bowman to compete with Prince Amukamara
and Jayron Hosley, but the future of the position must be considered. They probably
know all they need to know about Hosley and there is a chance that the Giants
may not enact the fifth-year option on Amukamara, which must be done by May 3.
Remember, maybe more than ever before, cornerbacks must be great tacklers in this
NFL, what with the increased number of pass catching tight ends and monstrous
wide receivers. No one knows how well a corner will tackle, without fear, until
they do it in the pros. The team has
reportedly shown strong interest in Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard (5-11, 199)
and he could be one of those first-round picks the Giants have been known to pull
off, the ones no one sees coming, even though taking him at No. 12 would not be
considered a reach at all. For argument's
sake, let's say they pass. There are several cornerbacks who should be available
in the second, third and even fourth rounds who could become regular contributors,
even starters. Two of those are Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller (6-0, 190) and Utah's
Keith McGill (6-3, 211), each of whom could play at free safety, something they
may need to consider now that the annual Will Hill Suspension Watch has begun
again, maybe for the last time. The
Giants could also wait and find a cornerback like Duke's Ross Cockrell (6-0, 191;
slight build but solid player on the rise), Rice's Phillip Gaines (6-0, 193),
Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste (6-3, 218) or Florida's Jaylen Watkins (6-0,
194). SAFETIES Speaking of Hill,
the Giants expected much from him and dealt with two suspensions in as many years
to keep him. While he now faces a potential year-long suspension, the Giants might
part ways with him even if he only picks up a six- or eight-game ban. However,
without Hill, the team would have only Stevie Brown, coming off a major knee injury,
tiny free agent Quinton Demps, brought in more for his skills as a return specialist,
or second-year pro Cooper Taylor. The
free safety group is short but offers some talent. The Giants might find that
the No. 12 pick is a little high for a few, though the temptation could be strong
to select Alabama's Ha'sean "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix (6-1, 208) or Louisville's
Calvin Pryor (5-11, 207). Dropping into the later rounds, an underrated player
is Vanderbilt's Kenny Ladler (6-0, 207) who brings power and speed to the mix.
He's got all the numbers, but needs to prove himself on the field. He could be
a proverbial diamond in the rough. The
Giants might be wise to look for a mid-round strong safety, and one might be Minnesota's
versatile and powerful Brock Vereen, who could rise into the third round. They
might also like Washington's Deone Bucannon (6-1, 211), the top-rated strong safety,
when second-round pick comes around.
Have something to say? Ask a question? Send it over to aklein22@verizon.net
and follow me on Twitter @_AaronKlein_ Don't forget to follow us on Twitter
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