Jerry Reese knew that this draft would be his last if he did not hit a home run and improve the Giants roster significantly. Well, right now it looks like Jerry Reese did his best job yet. New York had many holes heading into the draft (mainly because of Reese’s inability to draft quality role players in the middle rounds), so Reese was able to target players who will contribute immediately. The Giants are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since being crowned Super Bowl champions in 2012. Here’s who they selected:
1st Round, 10th Overall: CB Eli Apple (Ohio State)
2nd Round, 40th Overall: WR Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma)
3rd Round, 71st Overall: FS Darian Thompson (Boise State)
4th Round, 109th Overall: MLB B.J. Goodson (Clemson)
5th Round, 149th Overall: RB Paul Perkins (UCLA)
6th Round, 184th Overall: TE Jerell Adams (South Carolina)
Giants 2016 Draft Grade: 8.5/10
New York Giants 2016 NFL Draft Review
The Best Player: This honor is a toss-up between Eli Apple and Sterling Shepard, but I am giving Apple the advantage because he is the better prospect and was the first-round pick. Apple will likely start at the nickel position with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins entrenched as the starters on the outside. If either player suffers an injury, Apple is talented enough to move to the outside. While some analysts might criticize the selection as a reach because Vernon Hargreaves III was still available, Apple is a very talented prospect as well and he should be able to start on the outside when Rodgers-Cromartie moves on.
The Head-Scratcher: While many analysts might label Apple as the head-scratcher, I’m going to give the title to Jerell Adams because I think the Apple selection was more of a surprise. Yes, Adams was a good value in the sixth round because he was projected to be selected in the third or fourth round. However, the pick made many Giants fans scratch their heads because the holes on the right side of the offensive line had not been addressed. With Will Tye and Larry Donnell already on the roster, the offensive line was definitely a greater priority. That being said, the pick was not necessarily bad because Adams was an excellent value and could turn into a quality option at tight end.
The Surprise: As I hinted at earlier, Eli Apple was the surprise of the draft for Giants fans. Once again, it wasn’t necessarily a bad pick, but most people were surprised that the team decided to take Apple instead of Vernon Hargreaves III. However, it’s hard to fault the Giants for passing on Tunsil like the rest of the top ten teams and both primary targets Leonard Floyd and Jack Conklin were selected before the Giants were on the clock. It realistically came down to Apple or Hargreaves and apparently Giants scouts believe that Apple will be the better cornerback.
The Steal: Paul Perkins is easily the steal of the draft for the Giants. He will contribute immediately and the Giants should have a respectable rushing attack with Perkins, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, and Orleans Darkwa. Bleacher Report gave Perkins a second-round grade and compared him with Devonta Freeman. CBS Sports gave him a third-round grade and said his shiftiness is “reminiscent of LeSean McCoy.” Either way, acquiring a talent like Perkins in the fifth round is a tremendous value, and his combination of shiftiness and power will impress Giants fans.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Sterling Shepard is going to be an exciting player to watch in training camp. His impressive speed and route running will be fun to witness and he has reliable hands. He should definitely make the greatest impact as a rookie because he will get many snaps immediately, even if Victor Cruz is healthy. Shepard’s strengths make him a perfect fit for the West Coast offense and Eli Manning is going to use him often. With Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Shepard on the field at the same time, opposing defenses will be scared of the revamped passing attack.
The Rest: Darian Thompson and B.J. Goodson are the two players that have not been mentioned yet, but both players filled needs and were solid values. The Giants finally filled the hole at free safety that plagued the team last season and forced Landon Collins to play out of position. Thompson is a ball-hawking free safety and the addition will allow Collins to move to his natural strong safety position. With the additions of Thompson, Jenkins, and Apple, the Giants should have a dangerous secondary in 2016.
The addition of B.J. Goodson should help the middle linebacker situation. Goodson is a thumper who has been described as a poor man’s Reggie Ragland. He should definitely see the field immediately and he has a chance to become the starter sometime during 2016. His competition consists of Jasper Brinkley, Keenan Robinson, and Uani’ Unga, so an opportunity is definitely present.
The Bottom Line: This draft could turn out to be Jerry Reese’s best. The only major critique is that Reese failed to address the right side of the offensive line, but the Giants are confident that Bobby Hart will be able to start at one of the positions. Eli Apple was the only reach, but he is still a very talented player. Paul Perkins and Jerell Adams were great value selections while Sterling Shepard, Darian Thompson, and B.J. Goodson were taken in their projected rounds. Reese focused on prospects from major college football programs, so we will see if that strategy pans out.
Main Photo:
