Jordan Raanan of NJ.com released a list on Tuesday of the ten players the New York Giants are most likely to select in the first round. His list should have credibility with Giants fans because he accurately had Ereck Flowers atop his list a year ago at this time.
Raanan gives a few caveats before breaking down the top ten targets. He removes Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley as possibilities with the tenth pick. His reasoning is that neither will be available when the Giants are on the clock and Jerry Reese isn’t likely to trade up for a tackle in this draft.
Removing Ronnie Stanley may come as a surprise to those who read countless mock drafts and have seen Stanley falling to the Giants.
Another popular name in mock drafts was also removed from contention. Raanan also doesn’t believe Shaq Lawson is a target with the tenth pick; he maintains Lawson is considered more of a mid-to-late first-rounder. EKU’s Noah Spence is also not considered for the same reason.
With all that out of the way, Raanan believes that with the tenth pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the New York Giants will select… Leonard Floyd, linebacker from Georgia.
Here’s Raanan’s take: “The Giants are high on Floyd. You can see why. He’s 6-foot-6, 244 pounds and an explosive athlete. He can rush the passer, run sideline to sideline and cover. He did it all at Georgia. The only potential scare factor is his age (24 by the start of the season). The Giants see him as a weakside linebacker who can also play as a down lineman off the edge on passing downs. These skills make him the most likely selection with the 10th pick.”
Scouts and analysts would argue that Floyd’s age isn’t the only “scare factor.” Some believe he will be limited to sub-packages. Is a player who can’t be on the field worth the tenth pick in the draft? Well, some would argue a pass rusher drafted in the first round would suffer the same fate.
Floyd’s measurables and versatility certainly appeal to Reese. He’s a big, playmaking linebacker a Steve Spagnuolo defense could use. He had 17 sacks in 32 starts for the Bulldogs and he can play in coverage.
The second and third most likely picks for the Giants according to Raanan would also help a Spaguolo defense. Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack are the next targets on Raanan’s list respectively.
Many would argue that there are more pressing needs at wide receiver and at right tackle. Raanan has Michigan State OT Jack Conklin ranked fourth most likely to be drafted in the first round and Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell as sixth.
How would you feel if Floyd were a Giant next year?