Happy Monday morning to you all, before we post our 2nd mock draft of the 2010 off-season, let’s take a look at what the experts are saying (I hate calling any of these gentleman experts, though I do respect their work, let’s not call anyone an expert when we are talking about the NFL draft other than perhaps, Mike Mayock of nfl.com) about the Giants and who might be available in Round One at pick no. 15.
Cnnsi.com (Don Banks) 3-16-10: Giants select ILB Rolando McClain
NFL.com (Bucky Brooks) 3-18-10: Giants select OLB Sean Weatherspoon
Cbssports.com (Rob Rang) 3-17-10: Giants select ILB Rolando McClain
Cbssports.com (Chad Reuter) 3-16-10: Giants select DE Derrick Morgan
Cbssports.com (Pete Prisco) 3-4-10: Giants select DT Dan Williams
Cbssports.com (Clark Judge) 3-8-10: Giants select ILB Rolando McClain
It seems to be unanimous that the Giants will use their first round pick on the defensive side of the ball, considering the Giants epic collapse on defense, I am not offended with the expert’s assumptions. But, I still think that if C.J. Spiller is available (and assume Rolando McClain is off the board), the Giants could pull a surprise and bring in an all-purpose threat to complement the backfield and make the special teams unit, hmm, what is the word now? Yeah, special.
In my first mock draft, I had the Giants selecting big DT Dan Williams out of Tennessee to help fortify the defensive tackle position. Looking at it closer, Dan Williams likely goes to either Miami (who filled their need at ILB with the Karlos Dansby signing) or Buffalo (switching to the 3-4 defense with an again Marcus Stroud in the middle, Dan Williams would be a nice fit here).
I happen to think DE Derrick Morgan should go in the top 12, but, he is a pure 4-3 DE and there are quite a few 3-4 teams picking in the top half of Round One (Washington, Kansas City, Cleveland, Buffalo, Denver, Miami, and San Francisco). Other teams such as St. Louis, Detroit, Tampa are likely in on quarterbacks or defensive tackles. Seattle is a wild card: I see Pete Carroll looking at C.J. Spiller, an offensive tackle, or a defensive end (Seattle owns two of the top 15 picks, no. 6 and no. 14) and what Seattle does in the draft may affect the G-men (the good news is that Seattle will not be picking McClain after grabbing Aaron Curry with the 4th pick last year).
My Giants Round One wish list:
If Rolando McClain is gone, either hope Derrick Morgan is on the board (no, he is not a true need pick with Tuck, Umeniyora, and Kiwanuka sharing snaps at defensive end, but “Osi Watch” continues, Kiwi will be looking to get paid, and Tuck has to stay healthy). If both McClain and Morgan are gone, then hope Spiller is sitting there because the Giants could use a dynamic, versatile talent (with health questions surrounding Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw). Lastly, show me a nice trade down scenario for Jerry Reese and I’ll take it, if the Giants could bring in DT Brian Price or a stud offensive tackle after trading down a few spots, while adding a pick or two, let’s do it.
This year’s draft will see quite a few different trades and lots of movement, I don’t see Jerry Reese trading up and giving away draft picks, as quality players and options are there in Round One at no. 15, in Jerry we trust, stay blue!