NFL Draft 2015: Giants Must Fix Defense On Day 2
Congratulations are in order to Jerry Reese and the New York Giants who selected a good offensive tackle in the first round in Ereck Flowers. The Giants prioritized the offensive line in the first round, now they have no choice but to fix the defense in the second round.
If you read my stuff regularly, I probably sound like a broken record. The truth is the Giants have to fix the defensive line, they have to get help at the linebacker position and their secondary is not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination. Landon Collins would be the perfect player for that problem area.
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The Giants defense isn’t just going to be fixed because they won a Super Bowl with Steve Spagnuolo before. It doesn’t work that way. Spagnuolo had talent in 2007. He had a hall of famer in Michael Strahan and a Pro Bowl caliber end on the other side in Justin Tuck. The Giants had a really solid defense overall too.
This defense is an absolute joke. It gave up 4.9 yards per carry in 2014. The Giants were ranked 29th in total defense last season. They couldn’t stop the run, they couldn’t stop the pass and they couldn’t get off the field.
There are several alluring options heading into the second round of the NFL Draft. At the linebacker position the Giants could have four attractive options:
- Eric Kendricks, UCLA: This is the most complete linebacker remaining. He has great instincts and a high football IQ. This is a player who will play like a seasoned pro in his rookie year.
- Benardrick McKinney Miss St: This is an athletic linebacker who can be an every down player. McKinney is a physical player who will be a fan favorite where ever he goes.
- Denzel Perryman, Miami: This is the most physical player in the draft. He hits like a hammer and is a great run stuffer.
- Paul Dawson, TCU: Dawson is a really solid football player with sideline to sideline speed. I’d like to see more polish and a little more thickness to his build but he is a good football player.
The Giants could use a defensive linemen to keep blockers off their linebackers and to bounce the run to the outside. Here are 5 really good options:
- Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA: This is a superbly athletic defensive end who can do it all up front. He isn’t the greatest pass rusher in the world but he is a stout run stuffer who would add toughness to the Giants defense.
- Nate Orchard, Utah: Orchard had 18.5 sacks last season, and is one of the most skilled pass rushers in the draft. He is an underrated prospect.
- Randy Gregory, Nebraska: Gregory is a 6-6 athlete with great acceleration off the edge. He is a raw prospect with a lot to work on but he has a high ceiling.
- Eddie Goldman, FSU: Goldman should have been a first round pick. He is a penetrating player who is disruptive in the backfield.
- Michael Bennett, OSU: This is a really stout and athletic defensive tackle who fits into any defense.
Next: 2015 NFL Draft: Best Players Available Day 2