The New York Giants have made some very suspect decisions this offseason, including trading former top wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Here’s a possible blueprint to reassure the fans that Dave Gettleman, Pat Shurmur, and the front office have a plan that could work.
Many New York Giants fans are perplexed by general manager Dave Gettleman’s plan. The confusion is especially intense after trading away their best wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. However, the question is has every move been a part of a larger scheme to provide stability this year and beyond? The Giants, loaded with 12 selections, could very well execute such a blueprint for the future.
The New York Giants are in an unusual position because they have to bolster their defensive talent, and yet they still have a veteran, 38-year-old quarterback in Eli Manning. While fans may clamor for a replacement to Manning, or even support him, Gettleman has put himself in position to improve both sides of the argument and create a competitive roster in the NFC East. Using the Draft Network’s mock draft simulator, I ran picks for the Giants and considered potential moves that could improve the team, allowing a smooth transition from beyond the Manning era.
Round 1, Pick 6: Dwayne Haskins | Quarterback | Ohio State
I don’t care what is said in the media regarding this selection for New York. Gettleman has shown that he’s willing to change up what the media assumes is the logical path. Many thought QB for the Giants would be the first pick last year, and despite his obvious love for Barkley, they predicted incorrectly. From the Beckham trade to the support for Vernon this year, the Giants have strayed from the media’s path several times. I previously argued, while Gettleman is transparent, he can defy what the media assumes will happen. While the rumor is that pass rusher is the aim for the sixth pick, I have a sneaking suspicion that Haskins is their target. Allow me a brief explanation:
It’s just too fishy to wait for a QB
The current line of thinking is that it’s likely the Giants will go pass rusher at six, and then go quarterback at 17. Makes sense to fill two glaring holes in your roster in the first round. However, what doesn’t make sense is waiting for a QB. If a team thinks a QB is good enough to be their face of the franchise, they’ll do what they can to take him. If they think he’s good enough to fill the shoes of a 15-year veteran player with two Super Bowl rings on his hand, they’ll do everything in their power to ensure he’s theirs.
Waiting for a QB doesn’t make sense. How can the Giants logically take a quality player at six, but wait for 11 picks to hope the guy they like is there at 17? The logic isn’t there at all. I seriously think the narrative has been manufactured by New York.
Conspiracy? It could all be a ploy
Currently, my theory is that the narrative regarding New York’s intentions is flooding the media to ensure the Giants get their guy in Haskins. This mainly leans on the fact that the New York Jets have stated they want to move the third overall pick. So, because so many teams that may want a QB are outside the top nine selections, in addition to the Jets offering the third pick, I believe the Giants are downplaying the QB talk so they don’t have to make a trade themselves to secure Haskins. It would be ideal to take your quarterback of the future while also keeping your 11 other picks to rebuild the roster quicker. Gettleman not only said he doesn’t believe in waiting for a franchise QB, but he believes you can “win while rebuilding” and admires the “Kansas City model”.
Besides, the fans have spoken. Even they think QB is coming within the first few picks:
#Giants fans I got a question: please let me know what positions YOU think are coming in their first 3 picks. Don’t copy the media narratives. Trying to gauge the fanbase. Please RT too. Tweet reply with a name you’re sure of.
— Felix Davila III (@ScoutLibrarian) April 9, 2019
But I digress.
The fit is perfect. The New Jersey native Haskins has the arm talent, the accuracy, the quick processing ability, the patience in the pocket. I question his deep ball, as his narrow base negates velocity and trajectory, removing torque from his hips to drive the ball. He also faces the “one-year wonder” critique. Haskins is a perfect fit for the Pat Shurmur offense though, especially considering its reliance on play action and play fakes. It specialized underneath route concepts and occasional big shots off of play action. Plus, Haskins can defeat the limited experience critique by sitting behind Manning for a year and taking over in 2020, as my colleague Ryan Rosko forecasted.
Not to mention, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day of the Buckeyes used to work for Shurmur as QB coach in Philadelphia. Talk about the right person to recommend Haskins. Goodbye Eli. Hello Dwayne.
Round 1, Pick 17: Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson
While this is slightly high, I think Ferrell ends up going to the Giants here. By now, the cream of the crop talent at the EDGE position is dwindling, so New York commits to bolster its pass rush with the only first round talent left.
Ferrell has one of the quickest first steps off the snap in the draft. His get off is a flash, with the right angles and uses length well, and keeps tackles away from his frame. He uses his length and hand placement and plays with his hair on fire. Ferrell would be a monster across from last year’s promising EDGE player Lorenzo Carter.
Round 2, Pick 37: Dalton Risner | Offensive lineman | Kansas State
Fortunately, the Giants faithful will leave day one with confidence knowing the team acquired cornerstone picks for either side of the ball. However, there remains a question mark on the offensive line. Enter Risner.
Dalton Risner is a mature, intelligent, charismatic lineman with the requisite athleticism to play at guard and tackle. He boasts an excellent anchor, a swift kick slide, and good enough hand placement to lock down the right tackle spot for New York. Risner’s prowess in the run game is also a tremendous asset for a team that has their entire line set and plans to lean heavily on Saquon Barkley. Some may point to Gettleman’s love for the “hog mollies” who boast the girth combined with strength, but Risner has the motor and nastiness in his game to benefit Barkley.
Risner is also a versatile player, having played guard during his college career, which is a signature trait for the line’s depth.
Round 3, Pick 95: Michael Jackson | Cornerback | Miami
Outside of Janoris Jenkins, there isn’t a single guaranteed starter that can handle these duties. There are the young promising talents of Grant Haley, an undrafted free agent, and Sam Beal, whom they used their original third rounder for in last season’s supplemental draft. However, these guys aren’t surefire answers, so here comes Jackson.
Jackson was a solid man cover corner for the Miami Hurricanes. He has the size that’s ideal for playing outside, but best of all, he’s a smooth mover (I was very tempted to say “smooth criminal” here, but I digress). His backpedal, and hip flip is textbook fluid. He possesses the short area quickness, and suddenness, to break on the ball. Jackson is also very aware of locating the ball in the air. A competitive player that contributes in run defense, Jackson has to work on his consistency in anticipating route development and playing the pass. His ball skills don’t show up on tape too much because he plays it safe and goes for pass breakups. If he gains confidence in jumping routes, Jackson can quickly become a starting caliber player.
Round 4, Pick 108: Maxx Crosby | EDGE | Eastern Michigan
With the first of multiple picks in the fourth round, the Giants select Maxx Crosby. Crosby has been an under the radar pass rushing prospect considering he played in the MAC with Eastern Michigan. However, Crosby has prototypical length and the EDGE resume to deserve a shot at the pro level.
Most impressive for Crosby is his movement measurables at the combine. From his 40 times to the short shuttle and three-cone, Crosby posted above the 90th percentile for his position group when accounting history’s average numbers at the EDGE position. That’s breathtakingly appealing, especially in the fourth. Crosby would bring the energy to invigorate an aggressive Bettcher defense, bolstering their pass rush.
Round 4, Pick 132: Gary Jennings Jr | Wide receiver | West Virginia
Much like Crosby, Jennings Jr is an underrated prospect in what’s a deep positional class. Commonly overlooked due to the attention surrounding David Sills and his chemistry with Will Grier, Jennings may possess a better all-around game.
His route running stands out, but the consistent trait on tape that pops up is his ability to separate. Jennings not only has legit 4.4 40 yard dash speed, but he understands leverage and body positioning. He attacks the catch point, often boxing defenders out. The physicality on tape is evident as well, which shows a high motor play suited for an outside role on a running offense.
With the extension of Sterling Shepard, the Giants have a new, clear top option. Golden Tate presents the ability to play the slot, so Jennings could easily slide in outside. With Barkley toting the rock, Jennings could feast off the play action concepts they’ll rely on heavily. He’ll have to be more active in run blocking to garner serious time on the field though.
Round 4, Pick 142: Tre Watson | Linebacker | Maryland
Watson recently visited the Giants on a top-30 visit, obviously linking the team to the former Terrapin. The Giants could be ensuring depth behind Alec Ogletree and B.J. Goodson. Watson fits with his aggressive play and decent mobility in space for coverage. If he learns to process games faster, reacting to the holes developing faster and route combinations in his zone, he could render Ogletree expendable.
Round 4, Pick 143: Isaac Nauta | Tight end | Georgia
Yes, the Giants have Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, and newly re-signed Scott Simonson. If they wish to double down on the running game focus though, they’ll need a stout tight end who is a menace at the point of attack. Nauta’s game is primarily rooted in his toughness. The rugged tight end was often assigned to one-on-one pass rushers and did well in doing so. Despite not boasting elite athletic testing numbers, Nauta can easily find a role in 12, 13, and 22-personnel packages, and benefit from play fake concepts. He may not be fast, but he’s smooth, with natural hands. Nauta would be an easy pick because of his “lunch pail” attitude. His addition would also allow Pat Shurmur to get creative with Evan Engram, especially now that Odell Beckham Jr. is in Cleveland.
Round 5, Pick 171: Isaiah Prince | Offensive lineman | Ohio State
Offensive line depth is a vital part of building a run-first team. Well, it’s the key to making ANY team. So despite boasting a starting line of Solder-Hernandez-Halapio-Zeitler-Risner, Prince comes off the board to back them up.
With plenty of experience at tackle protecting the new Giants QB in Haskins, Prince has the resume to be a solid depth piece. He could flex inside to guard too since he has the physical frame to do so. Despite not being as fluid or oily in the hips, lacking a natural bend to be outside, Prince plays nasty and competes hard. He’d fit right in the locker room next to his former college teammate.
Round 6, Pick 180: Chris Slayton | Defensive lineman | Syracuse
Looks like a New Yorker goes to the Giants. Slayton has the necessary length for down lineman duties in Bettcher’s front. Unfortunately, he significantly underachieved considering his physical attributes. If he learns to put together a durable, consistent game from down to down, he could be a real value option to provide the depth Josh Mauro did last season. Slayton could provide a rotational role behind B.J. Hill and R.J. McIntosh.
Round 7, Pick 232: Jimmy Moreland | Cornerback | James Madison
Moreland is another one of the Giants top-30 visit prospects. Gettleman has previously admitted that he prefers players that have had a thorough pre-draft process, from bowl games to pro days, to private visits. Here, New York selects a high ceiling defensive back from a smaller program.
Moreland has physical traits in terms of speed and agility. His backpedal is graceful, and he breaks on the ball well. The primary issue is the level of competition and his body size. At 5’10”, 179 lbs, Moreland isn’t precisely a lockdown, outside corner. However, he could become a valuable depth piece, special teams player, and slot defender. Gettleman and Shurmur have shown they’re willing to commit to small school prospects, hence their trust in B.W. Webb handling outside duties last season. Bottom line, the Giants need to shore up their secondary after the departure of Eli Apple via trade and Webb.
Round 7, Pick 245: Greg Gaines | Defensive lineman | Washington
Here, New York grabs another guy with the “lunch pail” game. Gaines is a serious run-stuffer who has a massive frame to man the nose of a defense. While he needs refinement, Gaines has a relentlessness that shows on tape. Despite being seen as a one-dimensional player, he hardly came off the field for the Huskies. I’m of the view that, much like Damon Harrison, Gaines can develop into a stout, consistent lineman. Given that Gaines doesn’t have to contribute right away, he could be a solid rotating piece on early downs, subbing in occasionally, growing into a defined role.
With Bettcher’s defense serving multiple fronts more often than pure 3-4 defense, I think Gaines could find a niche spot that will make him valuable. Gettleman loves building the trenches, and with two guys on either line, he achieves it with Gaines as his last pick.
Summary
Ultimately, this draft can pay huge dividends. The Giants are in the position to grab a quarterback of the future and have the luxury of letting him sit first with Eli Manning still around. Also, while the trenches are priorities for Gettleman as a general manager, they have to add pieces to their skill positions and secondary to shore up their late-season depth. Giants fans have to hope a haul like this happens.