Giants Draft Report Card
Note: This is a couple days late because I was visiting my alma-matter, the University of Maryland, over the weekend. I had the good fortune of being on campus during the spring football game when former Terp Darrius Heyward-Bey, the man I hoped the Giants would draft, was taken 7th overall by the Oakland Raiders. When I asked Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen for his reaction to Heyward-Bey being drafted before Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, he was so shocked that he was speechless (although this may have also been due to the fact that I was about 40 yards away from him, on the other side of a chain-link fence). Anyway, here are some thoughts from draft day(s).
- The selection of WR Hakeem Nicks helps to fill the gaping hole left by Plaxico Burress (this would be a good opportunity to make a joke about how Plaxico Burress left a gaping hole in his leg, but I am above that). Nicks is compared by many to Anquan Boldin, and even Michael Irvin. I guess I’d take Michael Irvin-type production. He may not be a deep threat and he may not be 6’5, but he is probably the most polished wide receiver in the draft and he has big, strong hands, which will help him grab some of Eli’s patented inaccurate over-the-middle.
- Here is what I wrote about Nicks in January in my Wide Receiver Preview: ” Pretty good size and strength, but only average speed. He showed his amazing hands and focus in making one of the best catches of the year during the Meineke Car Care Bowl.”
- Say what you will about mock drafts, but the Aggregate Mock Draft I compiled in March correctly predicted that the Giants would select Nicks. Now, I’m not saying that I’m psychic, but if anyone would like to rent me for their trip to Vegas, my asking price is $300 per night.
- OLB Clint Sintim and OT William Beatty were great value picks in the 2nd round, as both were projected as possible first rounders at some point. Sintim fills a need at linebacker, although some are concerned that his style of play is a better fit in a 3-4 system. Look for him to be used mostly in pass rushing situations, at least early on. Beatty could become a starter down the road, but will be an immediate upgrade at backup OT. He could be groomed to eventually take over Left Tackle from David Diehl, but I have a hunch that he will see his first action filling in for the oft-injured Kareem McKenzie at Right Tackle.
- Here is what I wrote about Sintim in January in my Linebacker Preview: “Based on a lot of mock drafts, Sintim could be the best linebacker available for the Giants at pick 29. However, some scouts say that Sintim’s value is solely as a pass rushing linebacker in a 3-4 system. Others scouts say that he plays the run and pass effectively, and that he would be a great fit in the Giants system. If the Giants think he can excel in a 4-3 system, Sintim could be the most logical match.”
- Notable second day selections include WR Ramses Barden (a 6-6 pass catcher), RB Andre “The Giant” Brown (a good pass-catching running back) and TE Travis Beckum (a good pass-catching tight end…noticing a theme?). Reese has decided to surround Eli Manning with as many quality pass-catchers as possible, taking quantity over quality (although hopefully both). This is an interesting strategy, and while I believe most of us would have preferred to land Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, I am confident that at least one of Nicks, Barden or Beckum will make a positive impact this year.
All in all, it seems that most needs were addressed without reaching too far for any pick.
Am I supposed to give a draft grade now? Well I did title this post “Giants Draft Report Card,” so I guess I better deliver on what was promised. Grading a draft this early is basically pointless, and Reese’s track record has given us no reason to doubt him. Therefore, my draft grade is: A+++, which translates roughly to four and a half thumbs up. In Reese I trust.
And now, three knee-jerk predictions that I would rather not be held to:
- Hakeem Nicks will lead the Giants in receptions over the final six regular season games.
- Ramses Barden will win the league’s annual Awesome Name Award (ANA).
- Feeling pressure from the drafting of running back Andre Brown, Brandon Jacobs will call a press conference where he will vow to stop easing up on opposing DBs. Laron Landry will pee himself to sleep that night.
