Team Mock New York Giants

We’re rolling right along with our team mock drafts and should have every team donethe first time in the next two weeks, even though these will change as/if free agency occurs as needs will change, and compensatory picks will eventually be added. Up next is a team I’m very familiar with the New York Giants (coming here from a website that covers the Giants 365 days a year).

The New York Giants went 10-6 this year, but suffered another late season collapse. They saw their team offense get derailed by injuries at the WR  and OL positions, and watched their #2 defense in the league through much of the season struggle down the stretch eventually ending up as the #7 defense (in yards per game, points they were an average 17th overall). There is talent on the Giants roster to compete with anyone, but they still have needs and must find consistency this year if they want to make any real noise.

To me the Giants team needs are as follows:

A cornerback. (according to footballoutsiders.com the Giants were #2 in the league vs #1 WR, #7 in the league vs #2 WR, and then 31st against all other WR…but they were near top 10 or top ten vs RB and TE).  The Giants have two very solid starting cornerbacks, but lack depth as Aaron Ross has struggled. Safety depth is also an option/potential need because Deon Grant and Michael Johnson are both free agents (and Michael Johnson is not that good).

A Running back as much as I love Bradshaw, he averaged less then 4 yards per carry in 7 of the last 9 games of the season. Brandon Jacobs and the Giants are not seeing eye to eye at the moment. On top of that, they dont have a great receiving option out of the backfield. The Giants often try to get running backs late since the league has became more pass oriented. But I would not rule out Mark Ingram if he’s available as the Giants like to go Best player available and word around the Giants beat last year was that the Giants top three targets for the draft were C.J. Spiller, Rolando McClain, and Jason Pierre Paul. (I saw Joe Haden once as well, but can’t confirm that).

Linebacker-their linebackers are not very good. Nothing else needs to be said.

Return man-The Giants might get back Domenik Hixon, but they might not either. He could be a Free agent and is coming off a bad injury that cost him an entire season. The Giants return games (KR and PR) was one of the five worst return units in the league this past season and must be addressed in the off-season.

OL-Specifically future center. If the Giants think Adam Koets can play center for the future then this becomes much less of a need. The Giants have both Will Beatty and Mitch Petrus who might be the future at their respective positions to them so I’m not sure they will target an OL early…unless they don’t believe in Beatty and then offensive line becomes a big possibility. Gabe Carimi might also interest the Giants a lot as a future replacement for an aging, but still good, Kareem McKenzie.

DT-if Barry Coefield leaves via free agency, or they decide to cut bait with Rocky Bernard DT becomes a need.

TE-Kevin Boss is ok. Beckum is a nice receiving #2 TE, but this position could be upgraded. Kyle Rudolph in the 2nd round would be absolutely ideal for me, and if his medical evaluation is positive, Rudolph could even be a sleeper first round pick.

Here we go. I’m going to use Drafttek’s big board to create an unbiased value.  And I’m going to use our own Team Picks chart for when the Giants draft.

The Giants also adhere to a Best player availabe philosophy so for at least for the Giants I’m going to try and look in the 15 or so spots after the Giants pick as a guage for what talent is available.

This is a mock of a path I think the Giants might take in the draft, not necessarily reflective of exactly what I would do if I were the general manager.

1st round pick #19th overall

Akeem Ayers, LB UCLA (#35 on drafttek’s board)

Ayers is not my personal favorite pick and there are a lot of picks I prefer to Ayers, but the Giants need to upgrade their linebacker position and Ayers is everything they look for in a linebacker (and prospects in general). Ayers comes froma big time program, Ayers should display great size/athletic combination, and he has a TON of upside. To me, Ayers plays a little soft in run support, but he can make big plays and his upside is undeniable. Although, not high on Drafttek’s board, I think Ayers will be high on the Giants board, considering both Jerry Reese and ownership have said that addressing the Linebacker position is a priority this off-season.

Alternate options: Mark Ingram (if available), Jimmy Smith (6’2 CB with good speed will really intrigue the Giants who love to draft on upside), Best OL available (Sherrod/Carimi), or Paea or Aldon Smith (can’t ever rule out a defensive linemen early).

Round 2 pick # 52 overall

Drake Nevis, LSU (#63 LSU)

After addressing the Linebacker position in the first round I was looking to add secondary help or offensive linemen here, but Nevis provided by far the best value based on the board of  available players. Odds are the Giants will go Best player available in the second round. Anyway, even if they resign Coefield and use Linval Joseph more, they could still cut bait with Rocky Bernard which would leave a spot open for Drake Nevis.

Alternate picks: Jake Kirkpatrick, Center. DeMarco Murray (would boost the return games and give Eli a reliable receiving option), TE Luke Stocker (people have comapred him to Jason Witten), an unexpected fall from an OT (Castanzo?)

Round 3 pick #83 overall

Ras-I-Dowling CB, Virginia (83rd on Drafttek’s big board)

Dowling has size and ability. He had a down year this past college season because of injuries, but he was considered a first round target before the season ended. Dowling could help the Giants secondary. If you follow the Giants something you realize quickly about the Giants is that they love BIG corners, and also that they love BIG defensive players in general. They will sacrifice speed for a good height/speed ratio. Dowling fits that mold. Although, CB is a big need to me, I don’t know if the Giants are convinced that they need more help at cornerback and I think they might be satisifed with the CB’s they have (the top three combination of Webster, Thomas, and Ross). However, I really hope they consider CB early. An injury to Webster could derail the entire season next year because the CB depth for the Giants is awful.

Alternate Options: Jordan Toman RB, Tim Barnes Center Missouri

Round 4 pick 116th overall

So far in this draft the Giants have addressed the LB, DL, and Cornerback positions.

Moffit is a big behmoth of a run blocker, and while the Giants use smaller guards they might not be able to pass up Moffit this late especially if they believe he has the ability to pull in the run game. The Giants run game faltered down the stretch of the season and in the waning minutes of individual games. An inablity to run out the game in the four minute offense has cost the Giants more than enough games the past two seasons and a playoff spot this season. They should address this issue this off-season.

Alternate picks:  Jamie Harper RB, Jerrel Jernigan (if the draft really worked out this way where Jernigan was available the Giants might draft him as B.P.A.)

No 5th round pick

6th Round pick 180th overall

Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington (180th overall)

Jones won’t run at the combine, but he has great game speed and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield which is something the Giants really lack, plus he can return kicks in the N.F.L. So he really fits three needs for the Giants. Running back depth, a Receiver out of the backfield, and a special teams return man. Too much value to pass up here in the 6th round.

7th round 210th overall

Kristofer O’Dowd, C, USC (210th on Big Board)

The Giants would catch a huge break if O’Dowd fell to them in the 7t.h round. O’Dowd was once a fringe first round prospect and until the Senior Bowl was considered a second round prospect, but he had a really bad senior bowl and his stock plummeted in the eyes of many.

Recap:

Akeem Ayers, Drake Nevis, Ras-I Dowling, John Moffitt, Taiwan Jones, Kristofer O’Dowd.

I think the Giants would settle for this draft. This would be great value before the college season started as Ras-I-Dowling and O’Dowd were both highly thought of prospects.

I didn’t look at the drafttek big board before I mocked I didn’t want to cheat to figure out picks. Ultimately though, I think that Akeem Ayers will be gone before the Giants pick in the first round and they will go with a best player available situation, or perhaps trade down to try and recoup the 5th rounder they lost to Minnesota in the Rosenfels/Reynaud trade. I think if they don’t get ayers a l Linebacker like Mason Foster, Martez Wilson, or best linebacker availabe in the second round could be a lock this year.

Let me hear your thoughts Giants and draft fans!

Let me reiterate one final time that this is a mock of a draft I think the Giants might end up, and not my ideal mock or the plan of attack I would take.

And if you’re not following us on twitter @NFL_Mocks, shame on you. And get on top of that (please?…I’m begging you here).

Have a wonderful day, everyone.