Giants Draft Preview

The new regime has taken over the Giants.  They have a tall task in trying to undo some of the damage the Gettleman years have caused.  He left them without talent and in salary cap hell.
 
The ironic good news is that the Giants have no chance to be competitive this year. They have accepted this and can focus on the future.
 
The Giants have picks 5 and 7 in the first round. The Giants seem to be riding it out one more year with Daniel jones at QB1. It makes sense. With no offensive line, a horrible offensive coordinator situation and injuries to playmaking talent, it would be tough for most quarterbacks to succeed.  I highly doubt he will be a star, but I too am not convinced that he can’t be a quality NFL starting QB. Additionally, there isn’t much talent at the QB position in the draft.  The downside of this is, of course, that other teams aren’t excited to trade up into the Giants spot.
 
In my opinion there are 6 elite players at the top of the draft. Disappointing that we have pick 7, but all it takes is one team to see the chart differently for 2 of these 6 to come to the Giants. 
In no order they are the 3 ends, Hutchinson, Thibodeaux and Walker, the two offensive tackles, Neal and Ekwonu, and CB1 Sauce Gardener. If either Detroit or Carolina opt for a QB that would mean that we get two of the above. Or if someone else still has safety Kyle Hamilton that high, despite his poor showing at the combine, that too could lead to the second of those 6 sliding down.
 
A right tackle is a must and either Evan Neal or Ekwonu would be a great anchor for the right side of the line.  There are unlikely scenarios that play out with both being gone by 5, in which case they need to avoid the temptation to reach for Cross. Getting one of the top 2 would turn a big weakness into strength. If we get Gardner, it’s more likely that Bradbury gets traded or cut, but that could happen for salary cap purposes regardless.  If they do take Gardener (or in a non-ideal scenario Stingley) then they will more likely take an edge rusher in round 2 at pick 36. I think Ideal pick there is Ojabo. He was considered top 15 before tearing his Achilles. This is where the Giants writing off this year is actually an advantage. Since giants won’t be competitive anyway, they can afford to take a player who won’t help this year. If it’s not an edge here (or perhaps in round one if one of the top 3 fall to them), they can pick from very good players at many positions here.
 
In rounds 3 (2 picks) and 4, I’d expect them to take a safety, currently only 2 on the roster, perhaps Cine if in round 2, or Brisker, Cross or Cook in round 3, a tight End (no real talent on roster here and it’s a deep spot in round 3/4 of this draft), McBride in 3 or Wyederme, Rucker, Otto not likely in 4, and a linebacker, Muma or Walker if round 2, Chenal, Beavers Anderson in round 3/4.
 
It’s a deep draft for wide receiver so if someone they really like slips, they could/should take that player. There is talk of taking a running back. This makes no sense to me. They have Barkley and Brieda as a backup. That takes care of this year. RBs are abundant, and more so they don’t usually need time to develop, so in the likely scenario that this is Barkley’s last year with the Giants, they can just sign or draft someone next year.  It’s not a position you need to draft for development.
 
I’m excited to watch and will review it after.

-Ari Glass