The New York Giants Should Target Braxton Miller On Day 1 Of The Draft

Braxton Miller, Ohio State’s quarterback turned wide receiver, got his fair share of hype during Senior Bowl week. Miller was voted the best practice performer among more than 100 NFL draft prospects at the Senior Bowl by a panel of NFL scouts. He showed elusive speed, quickness and even some dazzling catches to earn himself that honor. Miller is sneaking up draft boards and may move up even higher come the NFL Combine.

The New York Giants will certainly be targeting a defensive player with the 10th pick. The needs on offense pale in comparison to the holes on defense, but Jerry Reese shouldn’t shy away from selecting a unique talent in the third or perhaps even second round. Sure, Miller would be a risk, but Reese just this week reiterated that he doesn’t shy away from a “boom or bust” prospect.

CBS’s Dan Brugler had this to say about Miller during Senior Bowl week: “Braxton Miller is so elite as an athlete – the body control, short-area quickness, the long speed – it’s all there… Obviously, he’s still raw and you could see that in his routes. He needs to learn better nuance, how to use his hands but a player that moves like he does … and he caught everything. I think he’s a natural athlete with quick reflexes.”

Miller’s a converted quarterback so he can certainly be described as raw at the position, but he has size that the receiving corps lacks. The fates of Rueben Randle and Victor Cruz are up in the air. Behind Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants are pretty thin at wide receiver. Reese is no doubt looking at free agency for a big name wide receiver, but the bulk of the $50 million will go to rebuilding the worst defense in the league.

If Miller is still on the board in the third round, Reese could be selecting a versatile weapon for Eli Manning alongside OBJ. He has the potential for major yards after catch which fits perfectly in Ben McAdoo’s short passing offense. The Giants have never been a team for trickery, but Miller opens up the option for another passing threat if they so choose.