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NFL Draft: Kerrigan and Watt Should be High on Giants’ Wish List

by John Fennelly on January 20th, 2011 at 10:12 am

Alright, I’ll bite the bait.  I’ll talk draft….

Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan

Here’s two candidates for the Giants to consider with the 19th overall selection in April’s NFL Draft….

I’m going to assume the Giants will be scouring the free-agent market for offensive lineman and another TE, so I’m looking defense in the first round.

I’ve got some worries about Osi Umenyiora‘s physical condition.  In 2010, he was all over the place and had a tremendous season, but his health has come into question.  He just had hip surgery this week and who knows where he’ll be on the recovery scale come training camp.

Same goes for Mathias Kiwanuka.  Is his neck injury a career-ender?  I hope not, but when asked about Kiwi’s status recently, Jerry Reese addressed the question with guarded optimism.

The Giants need a LB who can rush the passer.  Plain and simple.  Clint Sintim can do that, but the rest of his game has held him back. Perhaps Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan is the answer.

Kerrigan is big and quick.  He can rush the passer, attack the run and cover receivers out of the backfield. At 6’4″, 263 Kerrigan is extremely versatile and has a nose for the football.  He is projected as a DE/OLB, but he can play that Kiwi role in the Giants defense.  They need a playmaker on D….I think Kerrigan can be that guy.

The question Jerry Reese should be asking himself is….how can I trade up to get his guy?  He might end up being another Clay Matthews.  You can’t afford not to explore this….

Plus….he’s perfect for the New York Football Giants….Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year….Team co-captain … received team’s Most Valuable Player Award for defense … first unanimous All-American at Purdue since 1980 and merely the seventh in school history … named first team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association, The Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Football Writers Association of America, the Associated Press and The Sporting News … Si.com first team All-American ..

Another prospect is J.J. Watt of Wisconsin. When I see Watt – a 6″6″, 292 lb monster – I see a younger Jared Allen. He’s a tough kid and the Giants need to start scaring offenses again.

He’s the Giants’ type of kid, too……  Lott IMPACT Trophy winner … AP and SI second-team All-American … consensus first-team All-Big Ten … Academic All-Big Ten … Team MVP … a leader as well as a playmaker.

Watt is forgoing his senior season at Wisconsin, but he’ll be somebody’s first rounder. Whoever passes on him will regret it.

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About John Fennelly

Managing Editor of SNY.tv's Giants Football Blog - the ultimate destination for New York Giants' news, opinion and entertainment. View all posts by John Fennelly →
  • jaymanjd

    Hey John thanks for the draft opinion. Would i be surprised if Reese went DE again who would be haha. My question to you is did you not see enough out of JPP to convince you he can be an elite DE? I sure did. He has all the skills but experience and he made more of an impact than I thought he would. Also, Linvel joseph got very little burn at DT and I think he is also very talented which is why I dont see the Giants paying Cofield big money even though I think they should.
    Also, I really like the size and speed of a guy like Karrigan at OLB but you would really take one in the top 20? I perfer to trade down and take him if thats the case. If he can play MLB maybe id agree.
    To me in the first round you are really making a statment as to what your team needs going forward. Its is an opportunity to become signifantly better. Do you really think the problems with the giants this season was defense? Do you think it should be a top priority? It was last season and for good reason but why this season.
    The offense was riddled with injuries, and inconsistency. I think Offense is the most pressing issue this off season. However, I agree that in all likelyhood Reese goes defense because thats the giants bread and butter always.

    • Anonymous

      just something to kick around

  • Mickster

    Come on John! I know these are good players, and pass-rushing depth is always important for the Giants, but Defensive Ends? Really?

    You don’t want to talk draft yet, and alot of your audience wants to talk about drafting O-Linemen, LBs, DBs or a RB. I’m sure their pissed-off responses to drafting a DE will entertain you for hours.

    BTW, I’m perfectly happy to read about and discuss CBA / Lockout issues.

    • Anonymous

      I think they have issues without Kiwi and possibly losing Cofield

  • http://twitter.com/jwc165 Joseph Cheek

    Giants need playmakers period! best offensive weapon on the board! I don’t care if he’s 5’6″ 175 (Deshawn Jackson, McCluster) S. Moss huge bust, but that can’t detract G Men from taking best athlete! Too bad L. James wasn’t available!

    • Rich97

      I agree with this, but we don’t need to waste a first round pick on it. Go after the obvious needs in the first round (Solder, Sherrod, Pouncey:Moved to guard of course, or Akeem Ayers). Maybe Bruce Carter in the 2nd. But one Guy i love in the later Rounds is Patrick Cobb (I see him as a brad smith type player) out of Kentucky. Every team needs one of those players, the speedy guy that can beat you deep, return kicks, or come in for that playmaker type play.

  • Eddie Spagetti

    I agree with Jaymanjd, we have JPP and there are DE’s we can get through free agency. Our most pressing need is OT, pleeeeeease move Dehl back to guard!!!! i have been stat scouting the tackles and it looks like we can get a crack at a good one, IE Sherrod, Smth, and Solder. You rarely see any good OT’s on the free agent market and if you do, they’re pretty expnesive.

    Also, i think the Giants should take a flyer on Haynesworth, Here’s why: he’ll be cheap, playing with a chip on his shoulder, he knows we originally wanted him, its a 43 defense, and if he doesnt work we just cut him, 1 year contract with little guaranteed money. oh, and Rocky is a BUST!!!! Imagine, Tuck, Canty, Haynseworth, Osi/JPP/Kiwi!! What do you guys think? You know when motivated he’s a beast in the middle. And believe me he will be motivated.

    • Mickster

      Haynesworth? While we’re at it lets bring in Randy Moss or T.O. for our receiver corp, and Pacman for our secondary. Perhaps Marcus Vick to run the Wildcat! I’m sure they’ll all be relatively cheap. Can Odell Thurman still play? The Mara’s just love guys like that. Coughlin will promote Antrel to Captain!

      • eddie spagetti

        Listen, we have Linval, taking a flyer on a talent like Haynesworth will not hurt us. Randy Moss, T.O., and Pacman are all washed up!! Haynesworth is not. He’s not that far removed from being the beast he was in Tennesse. Whats the harm in giving him a 1 year contract with little to no money?? Let me guess, you still have faith in Rocky B. OK buddy.

        • Mickster

          You’re right. Cut Bernard AND Canty While we’re at it, bring in Tank Johnson to be Albert’s side-arm . . . um, I mean side-kick. And, like you said, we have Linval now – after all, he proved himself by playing in all of one game this year!

          • Getitpoppinnow

            Ok, let me sum up all of your blogs, what you’re tellin me is that Haynesworth is a washed up, arms havin, DUI on his way to the strip club patron nfl player? I wouldn’t judge his whole career based on what we saw in the Redskins games. We will see come 2011.

          • J. Williams

            He is kind of an idiot. I don’t know if the Giants need to bring in another me first player. Especially coming off a season where leadership seems to have faltered. If Strahan and Peirce were still in the locker room, I’d be all for a 1year deal. The man does have an excellent skill set for a 4-3 DT. He’s extremely powerful. But Big Mike Strahan and Peirce’s voice have been replaced by silent leaders such as Tuck and big mouths such as Rolle and Jacobs.

          • eddie spagetti

            You pointed out my only fear, the Giants lack of a vocal leader (btw Antrelle irritates the hell out of me) i just figured we were buying low on a guy who could make a significant impact. i mean, when on top of his game, he commanded a boat load of cash that apparently THE GIANTS didn’t mind. Its not like he just became a diva, that was a known fact coming out of Tennesse.

            As for Mickster, he thinks the Giants are still the epitome of goodness, if that’s the case, then why did we bring in Plaxico? it was just an idea, and i still don’t think its a bad one.

          • Mickster

            Epitome of goodness? No. We’ve brought in other characters too over the years. Remember a DT from Nebraska named Jason Peter? Also, Lawrence Taylor, Mark Ingram Sr. and Dave Meggett are all serving time now along with your man Plaxico.

            Did you see that Monday night game between Redskins and Eagles. Haynesworthless fell down on a pass-rush in the red zone and had no interest in getting up. He needed friggin’ Clapper. Seems 5 minutes later, Vick finally threw the pass for a TD. Fat Albert is DONE! He wants to eat through the money he’s got. I’ll pass on him thank you, as I’m sure the Mara’s will too.

            Give it up Ed, and pass the garlic bread!

          • eddie spagetti

            ok, i’m done with Haynesworth. what about the other questions i have:

            “And as i said in my original post, i still would like to draft a left tackle and move dehl back to guard.

            Also, how hard is the transition for a NT to play in a 43? I do like that kid Haloti Ngata. As much as i would luv to get Ndami, i would rather spend the cash on a top DT, and draft a CB, i mean thats how we won the super bowl. To me pressure is the name of the game. what are your thoughts?”

          • Mickster

            I agree that the premise of the Giants D is built around pressure, and you need it up the middle as well as along the edges. I take it that’s what intrigued you about Albert in the past, & Haloti Ngata in the present. Like Nnamdi in Oakland, Ngata in Baltimore is regarded as one of the 2 or 3 best at his respective position, and he will be compensated accordingly. But signing either guy makes it nearly impossible to address other needs, and I feel that in today’s NFL, you’re only as good as your weakest link. Coordinators can design plays that avoid outstanding playmakers. Signing HUGE free agents inevitably leaves you weak someplace. Though not as disruptive as Ngata, I’ll take Canty and work hard to re-sign Cofield, which hopefully will leave other $$ remaining for Steve Smith and others. I agree that Bernard is sub-par, and we should consider losing his a$$.

            I agree with drafting a LT. Sorry, but I don’t think Beatty’s ever gonna cut it, and Diehl is slowing down to the point that moving him to guard is inevitable. I’m intrigued with Nate Solder, but fear he’ll be gone by #19. Sherrod from Miss. St. will certainly be gone. As for Carimi and Costanzo, I think they’re RT material only. The guy from USC is small, but a possibility if still around in round 2.

            And yes, let’s get some CB depth on the second day of the draft, as Thomas and Ross are both free agents after next year, while I think Webster has only two more years under contract.

            And where in God’s name did your “H” go?

          • J. Williams

            Well the other thing about DTs, why would the Giants even pay any attention to that position? Canty’s playing good football and he’s in his prime. Same for Cofield. Joseph is getting significant time next season or he’s offically a Reese bust. So that’s a position where you might look at some developmental players later in the draft, but not a big FA.

            As for corners, I keep hearing people say the Giants need CB depth. They don’t need CB depth. What they need is a starter. This is a day 1 thing or it’s a FA thing, but depth isn’t going to help deal with the real issue – that Terell Thomas and Corey Webster simply don’t have the foot speed to cover these receivers in the NFC East, and even in the greater NFC (if you consider the Packers game). They need a man corner. A system that depends on pressure needs a man corner.

          • J. Williams

            Also, on FAs, remember that the most likely outcome of the CBA is greater personnel flexibility. So the impact of a FA signing will be less than in recent years.

          • Mickster

            J
            You’re proposing an entire change of defensive scheme when you suggest cover corners like Nnamdi? Well new corners for a new system mean new safeties and new LBs for your new scheme as well. I think this is a bad call. I’m OK with our current corners. BTW, interestingly our fastest corners (Ross and Bruce Johnson) don’t start.

            Our problems on D are at the MIKE and the SAM. Id’ rather change 2 than change 7.

          • J. Williams

            Mickster,

            I’m not suggesting a new system at all. A man corner can play cover 2 even better than a cover 2 corner. In fact, the defensive flexibility would just balloon.

            As far as LB, the Giants need to adapt a whole new philosophy. They seem to think that they can get away with below average LBs. Perhaps Jerry Reese should re-examine the championship years and how important the LBs were in each instance. LT, Carson, Pierce, Mitchell, etc, etc.

            Ross is a waste of money and should be cut immediately. He’s being paid as a starter and can’t even play good safety. Johnson is still a developmental player.

          • Cobalt2323

            J I love ya man…but you’re off base on this one. Thomas should have made the pro bowl. Led the team in tackles. Made an amazing play against Jackson in the Eagles game to show you his foot speed and is by far….absolutely the best open field tackler on the team.

            Focus on what the Giants really need and stop bitching about everything else. They got smoked in the Eagles & Packers game because the defense is on the field the whole game.

            Eli throws home runs. They can not and do not sustain long time consuming drives. More offensive production and more long drives and the Giants are going to the NFC Championship game.

            Needs: Center, Impact Middle linebacker, O Tackle, Guard and Tight End.

          • Mickster

            Almost 100% correct. We don’t need any more guards though.

          • J. Williams

            Cobalt,

            Gotta disagree. Of course I do agree that both Thomas and Webster are very good corners, whom I like a lot. But the whole world happens to know that they don’t have foot speed. See the entire Green Bay game to confirm or the end of the Eagles game where, ahem, Thomas lost track of Maclin in the red zone. Or see the Dallas game where Dez Bryant, looking like a young Randy Moss, was unleashed on this defense. The fact is you have 2 cover 2 corners in a division full of WRs that eat cover two for breakfast. In addition, remember that, Dallas actually is getting their S*** together and Maclin is going into his 3rd season, the season where a good WR really blossoms. And we know Washington has been trying and missing for years.

            I agree that the offense could do a better job of sustaining drives. But I think there are times when a GM has to also be able to look at his division and make some changes based solely on the star players a team will have to face. So Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Santana Moss, Jeremy Maclin, and DeSean Jackson (Geesh, how many times is this guy going to embarrass the Giants?) means to me that the Giants could use at least one good man coverage corner.

            Ideally a FA such as Bailey or Asomugha would make a huge impact on the flexibility of this defense. Another option is one of the guys in the draft – Jimmy Smith, Johnny Patrick, etc.

          • eddie spagetti

            man! i gave up trying to spell that guys name! you think Solder is going to be gone by the 19th? All these mock drafts have DT’s, CB’s, QB’s going first. People keep talking about Kiper’s pick for the Gmen, saying theyre going to pick Pouncey? Reading the experts analysis from this kid, all i here is “not as talented but ….” “he’s second in….” not really impressed. I’m not going to lie to you i luv drafting DT’s, DE’s and OL. I do many times look at FA’s without looking at how they are going to cash strap the team, that’s why i try to zone in on one. let me preface this by saying, I don’t have alot of analytical experience like you guys, my foundation is baseball. How do you like Reeses recent draft picks? i don’t want to start an all out rumble but i think theyve been shaky. Everytime i bring this up to any Giant fans i get yelled at so i’m prepared.

          • Mickster

            I loved Reese’s ’07 and liked his ’08 draft report card. However, as I’ve been saying, the ’09 draft is turning into a problem. Sure Nicks is great, but everyone else is turning into a bust:
            2a – Simtim
            2b – Beatty
            3a – Barden
            3b – Beckum
            all underachieving
            4 – Brown
            5 – Bomar
            6 – Wright
            7 – Woodson
            all gone

            The 2010 draft is too early to tell. Too bad about Chad Jones – he’ll never play football again.

          • eddie spagetti

            THANK YOU!

            Sintim -1 or 2 more years
            Beatty -1 or 2 more years
            Barden -Bust!!!! i absolutely hated this pick?!?! Kenny Brit was available?!?! he’s from Rutgers, just a smidge smaller, and i think he’s from Jersey??? i was pissed.
            Beckum -trade, it’s not like Gibride knows how to use TE’s anyway.
            Brown-gone
            Bomar-who cares
            Wright-??
            Woodson-i can’t kill him to much, don’t know who else he could have gotten.

          • Mickster

            Kenny Britt went in the first round. Barden in the third.

          • eddie spagetti

            What was i thinking?? Sorry. A draft faux pas!

          • eddie spagetti

            And as i said in my original post, i still would like to draft a left tackle and move dehl back to guard.

            Also, how hard is the transition for a NT to play in a 43? I do like that kid Haloti Ngata. As much as i would luv to get Ndami, i would rather spend the cash on a top DT, and draft a CB, i mean thats how we won the super bowl. To me pressure is the name of the game. what are your thoughts?

          • Mickster

            You left out head-stompin’.

          • eddie spagetti

            Lol, i must admit, that was a good comeback!

  • J. Williams

    For me, when a player spends so much time proving and re-proving themselves, such as Osi has, it gets to the point where not only are they an important cog in the machine, but they deserve for us to wait for them to prove themselves useless.

    Osi will return to 2010 form and better next season. The Giants should bet on it. And 19 would be about a 1.5 round reach for Kerrigan.

    Not to mention, as others have said, there is JPP. Who would have no problem covering RE duties in the Tampa 2.

    Now last season the Giants took a luxury pick and allowed the 2nd level to rot a little bit. The result is that they couldn’t stop anyone when the D-line got winded. And it cost them the standing they needed to make the playoffs. Hopefully they wont make that mistake again. There are many other ways they can make it count rather than draft a DE. O-line, LBs, CB.

    • Mickster

      You really think he was serious about drafting a DE in round one? Maybe he just wanted to go Shock-Jock for a day. Watch him pitch a Guard for round two. I think its funny.

      • J. Williams

        Lmao. Good one. Maybe. I mean, the reasoning ain’t so bad. But if Kerrigan transitions to LB he’s a 3-4 buck. Which is nice, but with Sintim and Tracey, the Giants don’t have a good record drafting those kinds of players.

        • Mickster

          J-Wil
          In all seriousness, I think you make a great point here. ENOUGH of drafting college DE’s to play OLB for the Giants. Linebackers have learned their craft by reading the offense from the standing position. DEs have a hand on the ground and are seeing much less. Asking these athletes to make this transition at the highest level is preposterous. As you’ve cited, Sintim and Tracy haven’t successfully (yet). I believe Wilkinson also played some DE at Georgia Tech. Drafting Kerrigan for OLB would be another example of square peg for round hole – another reason I think John’s just clowning us today.

          • J. Williams

            Yeah, Mickster, I agree. And that’s a good way to look at it, in terms of orientation on the field. I think, at the very least a DE in college needs to show you he has that kind of ability in game. I only saw Kerrigan once, at the beggining of the season. He looked good as a DE, but when was he dropping back in deep coverage?

          • Cobalt2323

            Hey John…I hate to say this because the guy is an amazing talent, but Clay Mathews was a slightly above average sized linebacker his first two years in college.

            Just like Urlacher…undersized a one point and them explodes on the scene.

            Your guy, Kerrigan is a BIG guy already. I don’t think he’s lean enough to be a Clay Mathews or a rushing backer, but if he dropped 10 pounds he could be a good inside linebacker.

  • http://www.kevinmelanson.com Kevin

    I LOVE THE GIANTS EVEN MORE!!

    RYAN KERRIGAN IS A SOLID PLAYER AND HAS ALL THE POTENTIAL TO FLOURISH WITH THE GIANTS!!

    GO BOILERS!!
    GO GIANTS!!

    • Mickster

      Yeah, well I’m a former UCLA Bruin, and I could argue Akeem Ayers is what they need, but I won’t. At least he’s a REAL linebacker. If you love Kerrigan, you should want him on a team where he can play the position he’s learned and excelled at – D-End, which we have enough of.