New York Giants: Heavily Dependent On Rookies

The New York Giants attacked two of their team’s needs in the 2015 NFL Draft. With the 9th overall pick they got their left tackle of the future in Ereck Flowers. The kicked off the second round of the draft by trading up to get Landon Collins, the strong safety from Alabama. The Giants are placing heavy expectations on these two rookies to be starters right away.

Oct 4, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Ereck Flowers (74) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech defeated Miami 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Flowers figured to be a starter before the Will Beatty pectoral injury, now that is a lock. Flowers will compete to start the season as the team’s left tackle. The Giants are desperate for him to succeed.

Flowers is an accomplished run blocker but he was an inconsistent pass protector at the University of Miami. He needs to be coached up a bit because his pass protection footwork is spotty at best. The good news is that there are no flaws in Flowers that cannot be coached out of him. The bad news is that it takes time and nothing goes at more of a rampant pace than pass rushers off the edge.

If Flowers can hold down the fort at left tackle until Beatty returns all is good in Giants Nation. The offensive line shuffling will be minimal and the offense should thrive. If Flowers cannot get the job done on the left hand side, the offensive line remains a major question mark.

Meanwhile on the defensive side of the football, Landon Collins is really the only viable option at strong safety. Collins has a dynamic skill set but he was given a limited role with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Collins has the potential to be a great well rounded player, but we should expect some growing pains in the beginning of his career.

Collins has a high football IQ, but he hasn’t played the strong safety position the way he needs to in the NFL. He should adjust to his new job rather quickly but it is more than likely that he will not hit his stride until mid season.