New York Giants: 2012 NFL Draft Position Needs (Offense)
Yesterday I took a look at the defensive position of needs for the Giants on defense for the 2012 N.F.L. draft. I also took a little deeper loko at Brandon Jenkins out of FSU who could intrigue the Giants. And also what the early mock drafts were predcting for the New York Giants. Bottom line: if you’re a Giants fan, bookmark this site and come back every Wednesday and Thursday as NFLmocks is now the unofficial New York Giants draft blog on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Now I’m going to take a look at the positions of need for the New York Giants in relation to players to keep an eye on for the 2012 N.F.L. Draft.
Right Tackle Or LT (IF Beatty struggles)
This is going to be the big one heading into next season. Kareem Mackenzie is a potential Free agent, and besides that Mackenzie is getting old. James Brewer was drafted to be the eventual replacement for Mackenzie, but he’s looked pretty bad in preseaosn. That doesn’t mean the Giants WILL Draft a right tackle. They might live on Mackenzie a few more years (he’s been very good. Pro Bowl worthy in 2010). It just means soon, they will have to.
D.J. Fluker Alabama
Fluker is listed at 6’6 335 pounds. He’s load at right tackle. A good season could shoot him up into the top 10 pick range, but the offensive tackle is also better than last year with Matt Kalil and Jonathan Martin. One of the three could slip a little bit.
Riley Reiff, Iowa
In my latest mock draft, I mocked Riley Reiff to the New York Giants. The 6’6 300 pounder is a good athlete and technician at the left tackle spot for the Hawkeyes. Reiff is the kind of guy as well and he could intrigue the Giants. The Giants like to grab players from schools with good pedigrees, though it’s not necessary. I believe the Giants will be watching Reiff and considering him for the 1st round next year.
1st/2nd round range
Matt Reynolds, BYU
I put a first round grade on Reynolds in my last mock draft. And if the Giants are looking for a dominating run blocking RT, Reynolds is their man. Reynolds is listed at 6’6 305 pounds this year (but other places have him listed at 6’6 320 plus pounds…though he’s in much better shape this year and leaner). Reynolds is still refining his pass blocking skills, but is a guy who plays through the whistle and just a lunch pail type of blocker. If the Giants can get Reynolds in the second round they shouldn’t hesitate. I think He’ll be a consensus 1st round though by the end of the season.
2nd/3rd round range
Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
He’s listed 6’6 320 pounds. Though he played LG vs UNLV2011: Started at left guard for first time in career against UNLV on Sept. 1 he has the ability to be a good run blocking Right tackle in this league.
One to watch for the third day
Mike Ryan, UCONN
Ryans played on both sides of the line in college (from the same College as Will Beatty), but with his size and run blocking ability is probably better suited for the right side. Listed at 6’5 335 pounds. The Giants dont’ usually like offensive linemen THAT big, because they want them to be able to pull and trap, but he’s an enticing option.
Tight End
It’s not that Tight End won’t be a big need for the New York Giants next year. It’s just that I imagine they’ll attack that at free agency. (And they telegraph their free agency plans. After the 2008 season when the Giants collapsed after Burress shot his leg, the Giants talked about how the Defensive line got tired. They went on to sign Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty. The next year in 2009, the safeties gave up too many big plays. They signed Antrel Rolle. Last year they said the interior of the offensive line worries them. They signed David Baas. Catch the drift?)
The other thing is there is no great Tight End option this year. There has not yet emerged a Jermaine Gresham, Brandon Pettigrew kind of talent for the first round.
There are some solid second round options though.
Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
Mocked to the Giants in the second round by www.walterfootball.com. Allen is a bigger tight end who is considered a plus blocker and an above average reciever.
One of 22 midseason candidates for the John Mackey Award…Second-Team All-ACC tight end who was third on the team in receptions (33) in 765 snaps over 13 games (13 starts)…Solid Rock Award winner among tight ends…his 33 catches set a school record by a sophomore tight end…totaled 373 receiving yards, third-most on the team…had at least one catch in 12 games…has 21 knockdown blocks, most among tight ends.
With his blocking and receiving ability, Allen is a possibility for the Giants in the 2012 N.F.L. draft
George Bryan, TE, N.C. State
Another big tight end at 6’5 265 pounds. Bryan is not an elite athlete, but he’s a solid all around player who has done fairly well as a receiver when given the opportunity. From his player bio:
Tied for ninth in school history with 13 career touchdown receptions, the highest mark among returning players … Ranked third on the team in receiving with 35 catches for 369 yards
One to watch for Day Three
Michael Williams, Alabama
A massive tight end at 6’6 270 pounds, Williams is also a good athlete (for a guy his size) and is expected to be a breakout candidate for the Crimson Tide this season.
OUTLOOK: Michael Williams could see his production increase at tight end as a junior in 2011 … the big-bodied athlete has good hands to help in the passing game and is an excellent run blocker … has played in all 27 games and made 14 starts … hauled in 11 career receptions for 129 yards … selected as the winner of the Bart Starr Most Improved Player Award following 2010 spring practice.
The Giants will be drawn to his all around ability. They want a TE who can stay on the field all the time like Boss, and like Boss he is very tall.
Wide Receiver
To me running back is not a big concern for the Giants next year. Sayre and I debated putting Da’Rel Scott in the top 100 of our big board for the Huddle report prior to the last draft, ultimately we didn’t. But I believe in his ability. He may struggle to stay healthy, but with Scott, Jacobs, Bradshaw, and Andre Brown (practice squad) I think they have enough at running back. My guess is with Jernigan (who they hope will replace Steve Smith) the Giants could look for a big bodied WR to replace Kevin Boss (if they don’t get the Tight End they want) or push Ramses Barden off the roster.
Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A and M
Fuller is a massive bodied wide receiver. He’s 6’4 220 pounds. He had over a 1,000 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns last year. Fuller could be the players the Giants were hoping that Ramses Bardenw ould be. If the Giants WR struggle this year, IE no one steps up behind Nicks and Manningham the Giants could look for another WR option in the draft early.
2nd/3rd round
Juron Criner
6’4 215 pounds. Another big bodied Wide Receiver with decent speed. Criner has plus leaping ability and well above average body control. Criner isn’t “character concern” free, but isn’t really a problem child like Pacman Jones or anything. Criner is an intriguing option in the second round. Although ultimately the Giants hope another WR steps up this year.
One to watch for the third day
Marvin McNutt, Iowa
Mcnutt doesn’t put up flashy numbers in Iowa’s offense, but he’s fairly quick and has great size: 6’4 215 pounds. He’s also been named to the Iowa Leadership group, which shows he’s well respected in Iowa.
What are your thoughts, Giants and Draft fans?
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Video of Texas A and M’s Jeff Fuller vs Patrick Peterson
And Some more Fuller footage (might want to skip about a minute 30 in the first minute thirty is the vs Patrick Peterson game again).