2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Pre-Free Agency

4 o’clock Tuesday is the open of free agency and that means that mock drafts will be changing drastically this time next week, but I thought I’d take one more crack at what the Giants draft might look come late April.

1st round: Kelechi Osmele, OL, Iowa State

Osmele is a versatile offensive linemen with really long arms (measured in at 6’6 333 pounds, 35 7/8 inch arms, 10 1/4 inch hands) and athleticism. The Giants covet offensive linemen who can play multiple positions. The Giants have often preferred to take players who are from major BCS Schools early in the draft, but they do make exceptions and Osmele could be one of those exceptions. At 6’6 347 pounds and

2nd round: Bruce Irvin, LB, West Virginia University

This here is my out of the box pick. We all know that the Giants like to stockpile pass rushers. Irvin is a guy who is without a great position in the N.F.L. but he does have a lot of pass rush ability. In the Giants defensive system he can be a third down pass rusher, but he could also pay the SAM position on first and second down (well in the Giants system the SAM is actually the WILL in Perry Fewell’s system). Irvin could go higher because of his pass rush ability, but if not I expect the Giants to take a look at him, they have shown to like good college pass rushers even if they don’t have a natural position in their defense (Clint Sintim, Adrian Tracy, etc).

3rd round: Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

This seems more like where the Giants might take a tight end then in the first round. I actually think the Giants will address TE in free agency so it is likely that they don’t draft a TE until the last day of the draft, but if someone with Egnew’s physical abilities and size is available in the third round they could be intrigued enough to draft him. Even if they add one TE in free agency they still have a need for another.

4th round: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

I feel bad for Broyles. He’s the only player who has seen a drastic drop in stock for a reason not of his own doing. He had a season ending injury that might could cost him all of training camp because of that he goes from a solid second round pick into the fourth or fifth round range. The Giants have no problem taking WR and letting them learn the game in their first year and not really see the field (they’ve done that with Mario Manningham and Jerel Jernigan). I think he could be an option in the fourth round.

5th Round: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa

Shaun Prater is a guy who is really fluid and is flying under the radar. The Giants run a lot of zone, but don’t have guys who excel in zone coverages. Prater is a guy who can be a nice zone option and potentially cover the slot WR too (another weakness the Giants have). In the 5th round he’s solid value and helps solve a big depth problem the Giants have.

6th Round: Donte Paige Moss, DE, UNC

Paige Moss had an absolutely terrible year, but has a lot of physical ability. Even though the Giants have a stockpile of pass rushers I don’t think they’d pass on a player like Moss here in the 6th round. Mahtias Kiwanuka and Osi Umeinyora will both be free agents after this year and they’ll need to replace their production. Moss if Coughlin can light a fire underneath him could be part of the solution.

7th Round: Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky

The Giants will be looking bargain hunting for running backs like they are wont to do. The Giants haven’t spent a really high pick on a running back since Ron Dayne I believe. It’s an organizational philosophy to devalue running backs and linebackers-a philosophy that has gotten them two superbowls in the last four seasons-it’s not likely to change anytime soon. Rainey is one of the most underrated running back prospects in the draft class. Super-productive pretty good speed, solid built. Can catch the football and has decent speed. He could go two rounds higher than this, but some players I like are bound to fall.

What do you think Giants fans? Maybe not the most conventional mock, but I’m having a difficult time figuring out what the Giants will do this year.

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