The New York Giants have four selections in the first three rounds in the upcoming NFL Draft and then eight in the final four rounds. They may not end up drafting 12 players with those picks as its hard to imagine stuffing 12 rookies on this roster, but then again, anything is possible.
It’s likely that general manager Dave Gettleman will do some wheeling and dealing, trading up and back where needed to get the best value. At least, that’s what we hope he’ll do.
With Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray expected to be the first overall selection, there are four other players that should not make it out of the top-5 — Alabama defensive tackle Quennin Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa of Ohio State, Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen and LSU linebacker Devin White. If they do, it will be hard for Gettleman to pass.
Here are four scenarios that could play out for the Giants in this year’s draft.
Scenario No. 1: The bases get covered
Round 1, Pick 6 – One of the “Big Four”
Round 1, Pick 17 – Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State
Round 2, Pick 37 – Parris Cambell, WR Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 95 – Kaleb McGary, OT Washington
Round 3, Pick 108 – D’Andre Walker, EDGE Alabama
I know, three picks on offense, but bear with me.
Allen is the best pass rusher in this draft and Haskins is the quarterback with the highest upside. Campbell is a speedy phenom that can stretch the field and empty the box on offense, opening things up for Saquon Barkley. McGary is a huge, nasty tackle that will start immediately next to Kevin Zeitler on the right side. Walker has been compared to Dee Ford, so that’s encouraging.
If Gettleman can pull this off, he can kick back his feet on Saturday and just pick defenders that will fit into James Bettcher’s defensive scheme and look for some depth at other positions.
Scenario No. 2: Rosen in the house
In this scenario, the Giants trade with the Arizona Cardinals for quarterback Josh Rosen. They can achieve that in several ways. It’s going to take more than a second round pick, it seems, since there are several serious bidders in the mix.
I have an idea that fans will hate but you have to give to get in this world. Send wide receiver Sterling Shepard (who will be a free agent after this season) and a fifth round selection (the Giants have three in this draft) in exchange for Rosen.
Another way to approach this is to send Shepard to New England for their second No. 2 pick (No. 64 overall) and then send No. 37 and a fifth-rounder to Arizona for Rosen.
Round 1, Pick 6 – Ed Oliver, DT Houston/Rashan Gary, Michigan
Round 1, Pick 17 – Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State
Round 2, Pick 64 – N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State
Round 3, Pick 95 – Kaleb McGary, OT Washington/Tytus Howard, OT Alabama State
Round 4, Pick 108 – JoeJuan Williams, CB Vanderbilt
Oliver is a special talent the Giants can use in multiple ways. Ditto for Gary. Sweat is monster pass rusher whose presence will be felt immediately. Harry is a much-needed 6-foot-2 target that the Giants can place on the outside. McGary and Howard are turnkey solutions as right tackle. Williams is an intriguing 6-foot-4 prospect at the much-needed cornerback position.
Scenario No. 3: Line of scrimmage heaven
Round 1, Pick 6 – Rashan Gary, DL Michigan
Round 1, Pick 17 – Clelin Ferrell, DE Clemson
Round 2, Pick 37 – Dexter Lawrence, DT Clemson
Round 3, Pick 95 – Kaleb McGary, OT Washington/Tytus Howard, OT Alabama State
Round 4, Pick 108 – Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo
Gettleman has vowed to build this team from the inside out. This draft will do it. Fans will go berserk one way or another. They will get bigger, faster, stronger and meaner with this group.
Gary is a versatile lineman that Bettcher will have a ball deploying. Ferrell can play defensive end in any alignment. Lawrence is a 340-pound, highly athletic true nose tackle that can take on three lineman at once. Jackson is a 6-foot-7, 250-pound monster who runs a 4.59 40 with a cannon for an arm. A boom or bust prospect.
Scenario No. 4: Playing it safe
Round 1, Pick 6 – Rashan Gary, DL Michigan
Round 1, Pick 17 – Daniel Jones, QB Duke
Round 2, Pick 37 – Nasir Adderley, S Delaware
Round 3, Pick 95 – Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple
Round 4, Pick 108 – Ben Banogu, EDGE TCU
The most boring of the four routes. Gettleman can’t get one of the big four, so takes Gary. He’ll be the force up front the Giants are lacking. He then caves in and takes Jones, even though everyone agrees he has an average ceiling as a pro. Adderley can be a Pro Bowl-caliber player at safety.
The Giants are thin at corner Ya-Sin is a player that will help upgrade the unit. Banogu is one of the top pass rushers in this draft but where he fits in this defense is unknown. Zzzzzz.
