The Giants selected Evan Engram from Ole Miss with their first-round pick.  While we expected that the tight end position was a likely choice, we thought it would be Miami’s David Njoku. Shockingly, the early round run on quarterbacks created a dynamic where OJ Howard slipped to 19.  It raised hope but the Bucs grabbed him and it was not meant to be.  The problem I have with the Engram pick is that he is only a tight end in name only.  At 235 pounds, he is similar in size to Brandon Marshall. He is a wide receiver who is called a tight end.  It’s not that he isn’t a good player who can create major mismatches.  I think he could be.  He is surprisingly fast (4.42 40) for a man of his size.  It’s just that we didn’t need a wide receiver.  We are good there.  Perhaps the Giants will come up with creative game plans to use his unique skills.  The Giants are stacked at wide receiver and didn’t need this pick with all the needs they have.
 
OT Bolles did get picked a few picks beforehand as well. As we predicted in the preview, I didn’t think the Giants loved the other tackles as first rounder’s, so it’s not shocking that they passed on them.  I did think they could take Alabama middle linebacker Reuben Foster with the pick - that is who I would have taken.  Given the question about his character and the Giants focus on high character players it’s not shocking that they passed.
 
Perhaps Engram can add 20 pounds and become something else, but I am not convinced. He is exceptionally fast and big enough to cause matchup problems but it’s not a pick I would have made.  Perhaps they are more bullish on last year’s 4th round pick B.J. Goodson than we realize and that was a reason to pass on Foster.
 
They also could feel there is decent quality tackles to be taken in later rounds and didn’t want to reach for one they didn’t love in round 1 once Bolles was gone.
 
I’m looking forward to the upcoming rounds over the next couple of days.  I think they will take a DT in round 2 or 3 and an OT but it really depends on how the draft shakes out.
This is my favorite time of the year.

- Ari Glass

The Giants 23rd Draft tonight.  Their needs are plentiful.  the offensive line needs significant help at the tackles.  The defensive line is now lacking a DT since Jon Hankins signed with the Colts (I happen not to disagree with the Giants not matching a $10m a year offer.)  The linebackers on the Giants have been mediocre for years.  Something the Giants needs is a running back too, but unless they can get someone exceptional (Fournette will be gone so possibly McCaffrey), I don’t think anyone else really adds to the Perkins-Dwarka mix. Tight end is also a big need. They singed Rhett Ellison from the Vikings and he can block but they don’t have a good receiving tight end or all around tight end.

So what does this all mean?  Who will the Giants pick in the first round?

When drafting this low its always hard to predict because the uncertainty of who will still be available is that much higher. I do believe the speculation that the Giants could take a QB with the first pick if certain options are still available is absurd.  They know their window with Eli Manning is closing and they need all the resources they can muster while he is still around.

So who will they take?
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I’m not sure they are sold on any of the solid, but not great offensive tackles. It comes down to Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk, Utah’s Garret Bolles or Alabama’s Cam Robinson.

I think Bolles would be the first choice as he has the most LT potential, and they know Flowers will eventually have to move to the right side.  I’m not sure they would take one of the other two if Bolles is gone.  It may make more sense to get a tackle in later rounds than to reach for one here.

They really do need a DT unless they sign one in free agency but nobody in this draft seems to fit this spot in round 1.
If OJ Howard the 'Bama Tight End was available, they would jump at that but he is not expected to be.  David Njoku from Miami could fall to them and is a real possibility.  If it’s not one of them, linebacker Jarrad Davis from Florida would make sense.  Some are pushing for Zach Cunningham but I think that is a bit of a reach.

They almost never trade up or down in the first round and there is not an obvious need, so I don’t see it happening tonight either.  Of course as we saw last year with Tunsil, there are always unexpected things that happen.  Looking forward to seeing!!

​-Ari Glass