Who To Pick At 19?

Pick 19

Now I will never mock a draft. That is a huge waste of time, since predicting even the first round in the draft is almost as hard as predicting March Madness. What I will do is give you some options the Giants SHOULD have at 19, IF they stay there. 

Based on recent history, the Giants base their draft on BPA, or best player available. That is how we got the likes of JPP, in a year where the Giants had needs at other positions and a good to great defensive line at the time. This is what makes trying to predict the Giants pick so hard. Does Jerry Reese draft the BPA in his mind? Or do they go with need. Speaking of need, here are the glaring holes on the team coming into next year:

OL: The line is filled with guys over the age of 30. Anchored by left tackle Will Beatty, the future of the rest, especially right tackle is uncertain

LB: With Kiwi going back to DE, all 3 starters from last year are gone. 

CB: Terrible group last year. CWeb is in his final year. Prince never seems to be fully healthy

DE: VERY underachieving bunch last year. With the loss of Osi, and Tuck being in the final year of his contract it may be a need if the Giants don't see the younger players like Tracy being able to fill the roll. Even with Kiwi coming down, still a need. 

S: Kenny Phillips is now an Eagle. Stevie Brown and Antrel Rolle are now the starters. Do they trust Will Hill to be that 3rd safety? Trell has a high cap as well, do they need to replace him next year? 

Now I'll give you a list of players I HOPE the Giants draft at 19. Then some I would like to see later on. 

1. Alec Ogletree LB - The guy is an athlete from Georgia, use him at the weakside LB spot. Maybe even as a spy on QBs like RG3 and Vick. Need speed on defense to keep up with evolving offenses. LOTS of character issues, but the Giants have had their fair share of those types. Draft profile here. (Giants haven't drafted a LB in the 1st round since '84 when they drafted Carl Banks.) 

2. D.J. Fluker OT - A monster right tackle from Alabama. 6-6 335 is enormous in my book. Long arms is can make up for his slight trouble with pass blocking, but he is a run blocking tackle. David Wilson would have little problem getting to the outside with Fluker over there. Problem is, gotta hope that the Dolphins and Chiefs get a deal done that sends Branden Albert to Miami.  Draft profile here.

3. Xavier Rhodes CB - From Florida State coming in at 6-2 217, Rhodes has some nice size that runs a 4.39 40. Loves to jam receivers on the outside. Long arms and big frame are perfect for throwing receivers off their routes. Also good at shedding blocks to help support the run. Draft profile here.

4. Kenny Vaccaro S - Best safety prospect in the draft outta Texas. Will have to slip by a few teams, Dallas being one of them at 18. Aggressive in run defense, and can be that 3rd safety to come down and cover the slot. Draft profile here.

5. Desmond Trufant CB - Younger brother of Marcus, the kid out of Washington has talent. Runs a solid 4.38 40. At 5'11 192, can he take the punishment of the NFL on a weekly basis? His aggressive nature could see him sidelined, and with Prince barely healthy all season, the last thing we need is another hurt corner. Draft profile here.

I would also really, really, really, like to see the Giants draft Tyrann Mathieu the CB out of LSU, or more recently, out of marijuana rehab. Guy obviously has off field issues because he loves smoking weed, got him kicked off the team at LSU after being a Heisman finalist his sophomore year. Guy can return kicks and is an absolute ball hawk, will get the INTs or strip anybody holding the ball. Complete play maker  best ball skills at the combine, BY FAR. 3rd or 4th round would be fine. Don't be surprised to see the Pats take him in the 2nd though. 

Also later on I would love to see Connor Vernon in another blue uniform. WR from Duke looked real real nice at the combine, catching absolutely everything. Also works out with the Manning brothers at their camp they do at Duke, where Eli praised him for always getting open. IF and a huge IF that Cruz situation doesn't pan out, we need to start looking at slot WR's that can not only run routes, but go deep. 

Notice how I didn't put any defensive ends. I feel like Reese can find them somewhere later. JPP figures his stuff out, Tuck bounces back, Kiwi and Adrian Tracy, and whoever else can hold it down. 

Andre Brown Signed his tender so he's all set. Cruz is still being an absolute idiot, $8 mil a year with $15-$18 mil guaranteed is on the table. He wants number 1 WR money. Out of his mind.