The most important New York Giants draft pick
By Curt Macysyn
By all accounts, Big Blue had a solid NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, solid in April will not translate into anything tangible until at least September for the New York Giants. There are many ways to view this Giants draft. For example, some players are penciled in as immediate contributors, while others are projects. Can a player be an immediate contributor and a project?
Sure he can.
In this draft, I look at first-round selection Evan Engram that way. Engram will get a fair amount of offensive snaps this season. I also expect him to become a better player over time. The 2017 version of Engram will likely just scratch the surface of his ability. Down the road, I fully expect him to become a better and more productive player.
After the signing of veteran receiver Brandon Marshall, Engram selection became gravy though. Right now, I can’t imagine the dynamic tight end cracking the top 4 in team pass receptions in 2017. In order, the team’s top receivers should be: Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard, Marshall and Shane Vereen.
Engram will be fun to watch, but his development can go at its own pace.
Strictly Developmental
Third-round draft pick Davis Webb (Cal) will start out at the bottom of the depth chart at quarterback. And getting Webb on the field this season remains a long shot. Geno Smith or Josh Johnson will be the primary back-up this season. There’s no need to rush progress here, and getting Webb familiar with the system should be the only goal.
New York Giants
Sixth-round selection Adam Bisnowaty starts at the bottom of the pack as well. The offensive line in general looks like a mixed bag. Bisnowaty was drafted as a tackle, but can play guard.
"According to ESPN, “Bisnowaty will be thrown into the offensive line mix, as the Giants plan to have open competitions this spring and summer at pretty much every spot."
The former Pitt Panther will go against D.J. Fluker and undrafted free agent Chad Wheeler for a roster spot. The New York Giants don’t like to cut draft picks, so Wheeler needs to outshine Bisnowaty this summer.
What’s Happening?
In April, defensive end Avery Moss became Jerry Reese’s latest project. Reese would like to see the fifth-round selection be an upgrade over Kerry Wynn and Owa Odighizuwa. If Odighizuwa does not have a short leash, he should. The former UCLA defender doesn’t appear to have an insatiable appetite for football. Add a lack of production to that, and it amounts to bust.
Dalvin Tomlinson (2nd Round) will compete with Robert Thomas for time at the defensive tackle position. Tomlinson has an impressive resume on and off the field, so he will be an immediate contributor. I would hold off on anointing him the starter, however. Former third-round pick Jay Bromley never has put it together at defensive tackle. On second thought, Bromley was a reach to begin with, so that one is on Jerry Reese.
Must Read: Evaluating the New York Giants running back situation
Tomlinson will get lots of snaps in the rotation, and he may eventually become a starter later in the season.
MIDP (Most Important Draft Pick)
The guy to keep an eye on appears to be running back Wayne Gallman. The former Clemson star lasted until the fourth round when the New York Giants scooped him up. It appears that Gallman has no glaring weakness to his game and that certainly helps.
"Per ESPN, “Perkins and Gallman splitting carries, with Shane Vereen sprinkling in as the passing-downs back with Orleans Darkwa in reserve, gives the Giants depth at the position. Gallman also showed at Clemson this past season that he could do more than make tough yards. He pass-protects and catches the ball fairly well, so the opportunity exists for him to eventually claim a bigger, three-down role.”"
For the Giants to be a true Super Bowl contender, the rushing attack needs to improve. Gallman essentially replaces Rashad Jennings, and that means production from Day 1. Don’t discount what Jennings did with the G-Men behind a deficient run blocking unit.
Despite being the smaller of the two, the New York Giants want Gallman to be a physical runner that Jennings and former draft pick Andre Williams were not. Keep a close eye on number 30.