As the National Football League finally closes the books on the poking and prodding of prospects, now is when the funny season begins in earnest. But the caveat is as always, “don’t believe a word you hear.” There are scouts lambasting players simply to try to scare off other teams from picking their guy, just as much as there are scouts talking up players just to drum up a trade market even if they have no actual interest in that specific player. It truly is one of the few times where lying is expected, encouraged and ultimately championed if it means you end up with the players you ultimately covet.
Such as it is, I still don’t have a single idea what the Giants will end up doing. I’ve gone back and forth and side to side in trying to nail Jerry Reese’s board down. I’ve heard and read of some talking heads say that once Houston decides what they want to do (head, meet desk), things “will fall into place.” Instead, they’re making making us all twist in the wind, as they should.
Oh, draft time, how I hate you. How I love you.
For this final affirmation of me being wrong, here goes nothing. Laughs are on the house in my final New York Giants Mock Draft.
Round 1; 12: Taylor Lewan, Offensive Tackle; Michigan: I’m back to where it all started. I might be stubborn and foolish, but I feel that Lewan is the third best tackle prospect behind Auburn’s Greg Robinson and Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews. The offensive line is the most crucial areas in need of repair, and Lewan has All-Pro written all over him.
The Giants are also talking up Notre Dame’s Zack Martin, but I’m just not convinced he’s a good enough talent for the twelfth overall pick despite of his tackle/guard versatility.
North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron has been all but written off as the Giants are reportedly (SMOKESCREEN?) just not all that thrilled with him. There has even been talk/mocks/unabashed hopes that have Matthews falling all the way to the Giants without them moving. If that happens, it becomes one of the great heists in recent draft history and they should throw themselves a party as they turn in their card on Thursday. But it won’t, so let’s not let our minds wander too far.
(Other possibilities: Zack Martin-OT/G; Notre Dame; Aaron Donald-DT; Pittsburgh; Eric Ebron-TE; North Carolina)
Round 2; 43: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tight End; Washington: If Ebron doesn’t fit the bill for the Giants, Seferian-Jenkins is excellent value here. With the Giants needing weapons for Eli Manning, the former Husky is a huge target (6’6″, 265 pounds) and a potential matchup nightmare. With tight end becoming more and more of a position of total consequence, Seferian-Jenkins (this guy needs a short nickname!) could be an excellent addition after a long run of short-term stopgaps.
(Other possibilities: Jace Amaro-TE; Texas Tech; Stephon Tuitt-DE/DT; Notre Dame; Ra’Shede Hageman-DE; Minnesota)
Round 3; 74: Cyril Richardson, Guard; Baylor: Dave Diehl retired, incumbent guard Chris Snee might be in his final season and versatile super-sub fled to the Raiders. Long story short, the interior line needs a lot of work. Richardson is massive (6’5″; 330 pounds) and can really be a road grater for new Giant Rashad Jennings. Getting younger and healthier is a must and Richardson is a solid building block.
(Other possibilities: Jackson Jeffcoat-DE; Texas; Donte Moncrief-WR; Mississippi; Will Sutton-DT; Arizona State)
Round 4; 113: Bryan Stork, Center; Florida State: I’m not convinced that JD Walton is the long-term answer at center. So I have Stork here at the same spot as I did in my last mock. National championships buy you a lot of stock and making the line calls for a high-powered offense like the Seminoles had is exciting. Hey, Walton might be Shaun O’Hara, which would be great. But after seeing David Baas basically do nothing since coming over, I’d rather the Giants hedge their bet on a surer prospect.
(Other possibilities: Will Clarke-DE; West Virginia; Travis Swanson-C; Arkansas; Mike Davis-WR; Texas)
Round 5; 152: Michael Sam, Defensive End; Missouri: Like clockwork, the Giants find themselves at least one pass-rusher. The reigning SEC defensive player of the year is there for the taking. Depending on who you talk to, though, it would seem that no one knows where he’ll go, if at all. But being the top of anything in the most respected conference has to stand for something, and I could see the Giants taking a mid-draft flier.
(Other possibilities: Boseko Lokombo-OLB; Oregon; Devin Street-WR; Pittsburgh; Cody Hoffman-WR; BYU)
Round 5; 174: Boseko Lokombo (Compensatory Selection), Outside Linebacker; Oregon: This is a pick based on athleticism and budding potential. They could use him in a “joker” hybrid, similar to how long-time Giant Mathias Kiwanuka is utilized. The skill-set is tantalizing, as evidenced by the BC Lions already drafting him and owning his rights. A boom or bust selection, but if used correctly, he could be a nice late-draft get.
(Other Possibilities-Devin Street-WR; Pittsburgh; Cody Hoffman-WR; BYU; Tyler Gaffney-RB; Stanford)
Round 6; 187: Cody Hoffman, Wide Receiver; BYU: A late-round super value of another nice target for Manning. At 6’4″, and the Giants needing weapons, this is a nice way to wrap up the 2014 draft class.
(Other possibilities: Isaiah Lewis-SS; Michigan State; George Uko-DT; USC; Jeff Janis-WR; Saginaw State)
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