The focus on the New York Giants’ rookie class has largely gone to Eli Apple and Sterling Shepard, but Jerry Reese’s late-round picks could have a Giant impact.
With OTA’s and minicamp finished, the New York Giants already have had a pretty good look at what they drafted this year in April. Without question, second round pick, Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard has been the most impressive. He has received endless praise from coaches and even his peers, saying how Shepard will become a stud in the NFL. He has almost made it impossible to think about the five other rookies coming in. While Shepard is expected to make the immediate impact, personally, I’m looking forward to watching guys like Paul Perkins, B.J. Goodson, and Jerrell Adams.
The Giants are desperate for linebackers at this point, between Jon Beason retiring and Devon Kennard’s injuries last season, the linebackers were absolutely dreadful. The fourth-round pick of Clemson linebacker B.J. Goodson will most likely earn a backup role to Jasper Brinkley to start. After being a backup for two seasons, Goodson was a team captain in 2015, and we all know how the Giants love captains. He led an undefeated Tigers team in tackles with 108, 14 tackles for loss and also adding 5.5 sacks. He was scouted as a very good tackler, another thing that the Giants need, and he has the strength and ability to disrupt blockers even in the second level. He does need to work on preventing cutback lanes and his coverage skills are spotty as expected with most run stuffing linebackers. Like I mentioned, he will likely be backing up Brinkley to begin the season, however he has the potential to become an eventual starter.
In the fifth round, the New York Giants selected UCLA’s running back, Paul Perkins. The Giants lack of a running game has been an issue for the last few seasons, Perkins may not solve this issue immediately, but many people are saying that he will become the biggest steal of the 2016 draft. Perkins strength is his elusiveness, his tape is full of ankle-breaking runs. Over the last two seasons, he rushed for 2,918 yards and 23 touchdowns, also adding 443 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. Perkins was named to the all-conference second team in the Pac-12 last year. Only being 5’10”, and 208 pounds, his size is in question to become a cow bell in the NFL. If he had more size and strength then we would have heard his name amongst guys like Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry. However, the Giants needed a young talented back that can hopefully progress into a starter within the next few seasons.
The sixth-round pick, tight end from the University of South Carolina, Jerrell Adams is definitely more of a “project player”, however, if coached correctly, he can become the best tight end in the draft. As a Gamecock, Adams wasn’t very productive as a receiver, only recording 977 yards and seven touchdowns throughout his 47 games. His low numbers are mostly because of the system, but the best part about Adams is his incredible blocking ability. ESPN NFL draft expert, Todd McShay went on to say, “He’s not afraid to be scrappy with some of the bigger defensive ends that he goes up against. But ultimately, what he does best, he separates from man-to-man coverage.” As a rookie, Adams will likely be situational, however going forward, he has a chance to become a very solid tight end in the NFL.
Not mentioned in this article were guys like Eli Apple and Darian Thompson, who are projected to earn starting roles in 2016. Apple will likely be the slot corner, even though he stayed outside at Ohio State. His combination of size and speed could translate into a quality starting corner along side Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins. Darian Thompson is an absolute ball hawking safety. He had 19 career interceptions at Boise State and is competing with Nat Berhe and Mykkele Thompson for the other safety job opposite of Landon Collins.
Overall, I believe that the Giants addressed many of the major needs through the draft and obviously free agency. While guys like Shepard and Apple will have immediate impacts, some of the later round picks, such as, Paul Perkins, B.J. Goodson, and Jerrell Adams are going to be interesting to watch.