2012 NFL Mock Drafts: New York Giants Options
The New York Giants won on Sunday moving to 4-2, but they gave up a lot of points to a potent Buffalo Bills offense. When we look at the 2012 NFL mock drafts out there from this week will we see a focus on defensive players? Last week we looked around Fansided mocks to find two positions popping up with regularity: Offensive line and linebackers. It’s interesting that these are the positions that are most commonly mocked to the Giants, but the two positions the Giants seem to resist drafting high are offensive linemen and linebackers.
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Let’s start with sideline scouting.com’s mock draft
The Pick: (picking 24th), Donta’ Hightower, LB, Alabama
The Explanation: MLB Jonathan Goff was average when healthy and undersized rookie Greg Jones isn’t really doing anything to make fans forget Goff. The Giants haven’t have an elite run stuffer since Antonio Pierce and Hightower can change that. He’s a terrific run defender and a good value here at the end of the first round.
My thoughts: In this mock, Zach Brown, Luke Kuechly, and Vontaze Burfict are already off the board. I’m not surprised or offended by the analysis here. It should also be mentioned that Goff is not only hurt, but also a free agent. What I don’t like is the selection of Dont’a Hightower over Manti Te’o. The Giants like big time athletes and that’s not really Hightower’s game. I’ve maintaned that the most likely lb to land on the Giants (assuming all are available) is Vontaze Burfict, Highetower might be the least likely Giants linebacker.
Alternate pick: Lamar Miller, RB, The U
I love me some Lamar Miller. I know people are against drafting running backs in the first round, but I’m not anti-running back in the first round. Miller also has the elite athleticism that intrigues the Giants. Miller is fast and has reportedly run 40 yard dashes in the 4.3+ range. He has good size and can also catch the football out of the backfield. If the Giants are picking late in the first round they could consider a talented running back like Miller to help out with their running game. Da’rel Scott is intriguing, but D.J. Ware is nothing special and Jacobs continues to be abrasive.
Miller is an excellent running back prospect, though he is only a redshirt sophomore and could return to school.
Mocking the draft
Dan Kadar put out his first 2012 NFL mock draft.
The pick: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (22nd overall)
The Explanation: Even with a healthy Jonathan Goff this would be a need for the Giants. Kuechly is as instinctual of a linebacker as there can be in the college game and that should translate nicely to the New York defense.
My thoughts: Love the work Dan does over at mocking the draft, but I don’t love this pick. What is interesting about this mock is he has three running backs going before the Giants even pick. I’ve been a crusader for the Giants considering a cornerback in the draft early because Terrel Thoma sand Aaron Ross are free agents after this year and they have terrible depth if they lose either one. Kuechly like Hightower’s strengths rely on their instincts and football acumen, but the Giants gravitate towards excellent athletes that’s not Kuechly.
Alternate pick: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. This was an easy one for me. The Giants have decent cornerbacks, but nothing great. Maybe Amukamar becomes that shut-down lock down cornerback, but even with him in the fold right now the Giants are looking at Webster, Amukamara, and relying on Ross to stay healthy (and be resigned) and TT recovering fully from his second ACL tear (and being resigned). That’s a grim proposition. Claiborne is the kind of special athlete the Giants covet and fill sa position of need. Love me some Claiborne at that spot.
The pick: (pick #24) Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
the explanation: The Giants have missed having an elite slot receiver after losing Steve Smith Toon has the route-running ability and smarts to fill that role.
Thoughts: I should’ve known that Lande would throw a wrench into things, and I gotta say I like the idea of mixing it up. How boring is it going to be if every week I’m talking about the linebacker prospects and offensive line prospects that the Giants should consider. Now as for the pick of Nick Toon, I don’t love the pick. If the Giants are looking for a slot wide receiver why not go with Ryan Broyles. Or another optoin could be Mohamed Sanu the WR out of Rutgers. He has experience as a wild cat quarterback, he’s big, athletic and right in their backyards.
Still though I like the boldness of the pick I disagree it is likely. First the Giants just drafted Jerel Jernigan who they might see as that slot wide receiver, even though he’s not ready yet. Secondly, is Ramses Barden who will have one more chance moving forward this year to claim a role in the offense for the future. Third is Victor Cruz who has played well. I don’t see a WR, especially one like Nick Toon being the pick.k]
Alternate pick: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State. Worthy is talented, but inconsistent, but the key word is talent. He has top talent and the Giants are not adverse to stacking up defensive linemen. Linval Joseph, Chris Canty, Worthy, and Austin would be the deepest defensive tackle rotation in the league.
Let me hear your thoughts Giants fans. Who are you interested in the Giants taking at this very early stage? What positions need to be addressed early?