2015 NFL Draft: Defense is the Priority for New York Giants
I must admit my frustration with the obsession that the New York Giants should go offensive tackle at the 9th overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. This is a team that finished 31st in total defense. This is a team that gave up a sickening 4.9 yards per rushing attempt. The Giants offensive line is on the to-do list, but they simply cannot pass up on a top 10 defensive talent.
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Mel Kiper Jr., who I have nothing but respect for, picked Brandon Scherrf, the offensive tackle from Iowa, in his first mock draft. If the Giants select Scherrf, its understandable, he is a good football player. That does not make it okay. The defense is the top priority. Yes, it is okay to disagree with Kiper.
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The Giants have a lot of need on the defensive side of the football. Spin the wheel of desperation, the Giants need it all on defense. The Giants need a pass rusher, to hopefully pair with Jason Pierre-Paul, or to replace him if he is not retained. The Giants need a dominating linebacker that can help them stop the run. The Giants need help at every position in the secondary. But go ahead throw your top 10 pick at an offensive lineman.
I was a lineman in high school, nobody cares more about the offensive line more than I do. The problem is that the Giants offensive line is not the biggest priority when you consider the facts. Geoff Schwartz will be back. Weston Richburg and Justin Pugh will have another year of experience under their belt. The line played better the second half of the season and Ben McAdoo’s offense relies on the quick release from Eli Manning anyway.
When a Shane Ray, a Vic Beasley or a Randy Gregory could be sitting at the 9th pick, amazing pass rushers to say the least, how could you take an offensive tackle? When a Benardrick McKinney, Shaq Thompson or Denzel Perryman are on the board, how could you not go defense?
You can get quality offensive lineman in the 3rd round, there is no need to spend the 9th overall selection on the offensive line. There are far too many holes on this roster, especially on the defensive side of the football. It may be an unpopular opinion, but it had to be said.