With the NFL Combine ending, we need to start focusing on who the New York Giants will probably be taking in the upcoming 2015 draft. They excelled with Odell Beckham Jr. last year, can they do the same this year? The Giants have been struggling in a couple of areas this season and it seems like with some new key members, they can make the turn around they need. Whenever a team official is asked, they’ll always mention that they take whoever the best player is that’s available. But anyone with a knowledge of the game will tell you that a team is always looking for whoever the best player is for the position they most desperately need is. You’re not going to draft a team of only running backs or quarterbacks. The Giants have always been Wide Receiver happy and we’ve been successful with some of the more unknown ones, hey (healthy) Victor Cruz.
Finishing at 6-10 this past season, the Giants have secured the 9th overall spot in the draft. The Giants need improvement on both the offensive and defensive line. And with no definite return date (or guarantee performance) for Victor Cruz and the inconsistency of Reuben Randle, Big Blue could definitely use some help. What are some of the picks that the Giants need?
Let’s start with the offense. We’ve been wide receiver happy for some time and for some reason this always seems to be our go to. Why not start there. Who’s available? And out of that group, who should we stick with? Pending he actually lasts to the ninth pick, my top pick will be to go with Kevin White out of West Virginia. At the combine he ran a 4.35 and at 6’3”, 215 lbs, White has remained consistent across the board and will likely remain consistent in the league. White has often been regarded as one of the most exceptional players among his counterparts. Another wide receiver making his way up the draft boards is Amari Cooper out of Alabama. Finishing the season with 71 catches, 1,727 yards, and 16 touchdowns, he would make a great follow up to Odell Beckham Jr.
On the defensive side, the defensive end position has been on that has needed some help for a while. My top pick for this position is Shane Ray out of Mizzou. Ray has been regarded as undersized for the defensive end position, but we’ve seen some miracles happen between the combine and the draft before. He wasn’t able to perform during the combine due to an injury, but he still has until pro day to solidify his spot. Leading the SEC conference with 14.5 sacks, he’s sure to make an impact in the draft. My runner up for this position Danielle Hunter out of LSU. Danielle Hunter ran a 4.57 for the 40 yard dash, the fastest among any defensive linemen. At 6’5” and 252 lbs, Hunter finished with 13.5 tackles for loss.
Between now and the draft, a lot can happen. We’ll see what the football universe will decide to throw our way.
