NFL Draft 2014: Giants Select LB Devon Kennard at pick 174

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the 174th pick in the 2014 NFL draft the New York Giants select… Devon Kennard, OLB USC. 

Devon Kennard is a pedigree player with a motor and tenacity. He led USC in sacks and his father played over 10 years in the NFL.

Originally studying him back in January, I saw a stiff-hipped rusher who will get mauled by large NFL tackles, but his athleticism is of good quality and was on full display at the NFL Combine. One can see he worked at his craft. I saw adequate hand usage, strength and burst at the point of attack and, again, an attitude to demolish opposition. He has the raw tools and mentality to fit linebacker, and he can be coached up.

The Giants gain a potential-filled defender that may fill the role originally envisioned for O’Brien Schofield, a Seahawk who signed a deal with the Giants in February that fell through after concerns about his knee. As with the rest of their picks, the Giants are also grabbing a character player and team captain that adds to what seems to be a mature locker room. 

Full game highlights of Kennard versus Arizona from October 10th, 2013 — courtesy of SportCutups on YouTube: