NFL Draft Day 2: The 21 Best Remaining Prospects For The New York Giants

WIDE RECEIVERS

4. Michael Thomas – WR, Ohio State Buckeyes

Height: 6 feet 2 inches | Weight: 212 pounds

Thomas scored a grade of 5.81, which means “Could become early NFL starter”. Michael was the top performer in the bench press at the scouting combine.

Analyst Lance Zierlein compared Thomas to former Green Bay Packers 7th Rounder Charles Johnson, adding:

"“Thomas has just scratched the surface of his potential in Ohio State’s offense full of quick outs and tunnel screens. While he has the size and potential to excite offensive coordinators, Thomas is still a work in progress who must develop a greater feel for the position if he is to match his traits with real NFL production. Thomas has a relatively high ceiling, but his floor is ‘bust.'”"

After the Ohio State Pro Day, Gil Brandt noted Thomas, “has a big catching radius, with long arms, and he has excellent ball skills.”

ProFootballFocus ranked Thomas as the 8th best overall prospect on Day 2.

WalterFootball.com ranked Thomas as the 5th best wideout in the draft, noting:

"“Thomas could be the most well-rounded prospect at his position. He can make plays in all levels of the defense. His numbers were suppressed by Ohio State’s offense and quarterback situation, but he has mismatch speed and size. Thomas looks like a good fit as an X receiver to challenge defenses vertically along the sideline.”"

Shawn Spencer of NFLMocks wrote the following in his scouting report:

"“Michael Thomas is a starting WR in the NFL who can utilize his size and strength to make plays outside the numbers. I see him as an above average number two WR at the next level and expect him to be drafted in the late-first or early-second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.”"

5. Braxton Miller – WR, Ohio State Buckeyes

Height: 6 feet 1 inch | Weight: 204 pounds

Miller scored a grade of 5.68, which means “Backup or eventual starter”.

Lance Zierlein compared him to former Cardinals third rounder Andre Roberts, adding:

"“Miller had a storied two-year run at quarterback where he was able to produce explosive, winning plays for the Buckeyes. His transition to a new position will be a work in progress that may last longer than some expect, but his size, speed and athletic traits are appealing. Miller’s ability with the ball in his hands could help his cause, but the difference between being a gadget player and productive receiver will rest with his ability to digest coaching and convert it on the field.”"

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NFL.com’s Chad Reuter called Braxton one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects.

WalterFootball ranked Miller as the 6th best wide receiver in the draft, noting:

"“Miller displayed some natural hands with the speed, athleticism and explosion to get separation. He showed that his speed and athleticism make him a legitimate prospect as a receiver and runner.”"

From draft analyst Gil Brandt’s Pro Day Notes:

"“Miller’s ability is very reminiscent of former Buckeyes receiver Devin Smith, who was a second-round draft choice of the New York Jets last year.”"

Eric Robinson of NFLMocks had this to say about Braxton in his scouting report:

"“Given time, Miller can be a swiss-army knife for a team. He’s as electric and dependable when he’s executing an end-around as he his on the open field…the former QB can be one of the best playmakers in the entire league.”"

6. Tyler Boyd – WR, Pittsburgh Panthers

Height: 6 feet 1 inch | Weight: 197 pounds

Boyd earned a draft grade of 5.9, which means “Could become early NFL starter”.

Draft analyst Zierlein compared Boyd to San Diego Chargers target Keenan Allen, adding:

"“Pittsburgh asked Boyd to be a running back and possession receiver this season, but that doesn’t define what he can be in the pros. Boyd makes up for a lack of speed with vice ­grips for hands and being intelligent in his routes. Boyd isn’t a stand­alone WR1, but he can be a very productive starter in a play-­action attack that allows him to play to his strengths.”"

Senior analyst Gil Brandt noted:

"“Boyd is an excellent wide receiver who runs really good routes. He also caught punts during the pro day, and he did a really good job of that, too.”"

WalterFootball ranked Boyd as the 7th best WR in the draft, noting:

"“He is a quick receiver who generally has good hands and gets separation from defensive backs. Boyd isn’t overly fast, big or physical, so that makes him more of a second-day prospect.”"

Rodney Stokes of NFLMocks wrote the following about Boyd in his scouting report:

"“Tyler Boyd is one of the few receivers who will be even better than what his college stats predict simply because he’s never really had a quarterback to throw him the football. He’s a great athlete and in the top 3 of his position, aside from his weight it’s hard to knock anything about his game…whichever team selects the Pitt receiver will have a more than ready player for years to come.”"

7. Sterling Shepard – WR, Oklahoma Sooners

Height: 5 feet 10 inches | Weight: 194 pounds

Shepard earned a grade of 5.91, which means “Could become early NFL starter”.

Draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared him to Tyler Lockett, adding:

"“The similarities in backgrounds, playing style, production and football character and between Shepard and Seattle’s Tyler Lockett are obvious. Shepard doesn’t possess Lockett’s explosiveness as a return man, but is a better overall receiver. With more and more teams using “11” personnel (3 WRs) as their base offense, Shepard’s stock should be on the rise. Teams looking for a slot receiver who can make plays and rack up a high volume catch count on any given Sunday will find their man in Shepard.”"

Analyst Gil Brandt put Shepard on his list of most underrated offensive prospects, stating:

"“Shepard will be a slot receiver in the NFL. He has great hands and quickness for the position, and reminds me a lot of Wes Welker. I think he’ll also be a top punt returner in the NFL. He’s a great character guy who will be a Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) bargain for some team.”"

In his Pro Day notes, Brandt remarked:

"“Shepard is a great route-runner and has a lot of quickness. Shepard might catch 100 passes in a season some time while working as a slot receiver in the NFL.”"

ProFootballFocus ranked Sterling as the 7th best overall prospect on Day 2.

WalterFootball.com ranked Shepard as the 8th best WR in the draft, adding:

"“For the NFL, Shepard is a small, shifty slot receiver. He can get separation with his quickness and route-running, but looks limited to a slot role.”"

NFL.com’s Matt Harmon wrote that Shepard is poised for early success in the league.

Here’s the bottom line from Sayre Bedinger’s NFLMocks scouting report:

"“Shepard is a player who might struggle with press coverage at the NFL level, but he’s the type of guy that if he can get a clean release at the line of scrimmage, he is going to absolutely burn you all day. He has speed, quickness, and the ability to make tough catches and I think this is a player that can come in and make an immediate impact on an NFL roster because of those abilities.”"

8. Pharoh Cooper – WR, South Carolina Gamecocks

Height: 5 feet 11 inches | Weight: 203 pounds

Pharoh’s draft grade was 5.67, which means “Backup or eventual starter”. Lance Zierlein compared Cooper to Buffalo Bills second rounder Josh Reed, adding:

"“Amidst turbulent offensive times at South Carolina, Cooper has been a rock with consistent production in all areas of the field. While I see Cooper as slightly limited as a pro due to his reliance on straight-line acceleration and scheme fit, NFL personnel men seem to love his playmaking ability and competitive nature.”"

Gil Brandt’s Pro Day notes on Cooper can be found below:

"“Cooper catches the ball well, and is a better player on tape than he shows in pro-day workouts.”"

WalterFootball.com ranked Pharoh as the 9th best WR in the draft, adding:

"“Cooper is a shifty slot receiver with quickness to challenge a defense and get separation from defensive backs. He entered the 2016 NFL Draft rather than return to South Carolina.”"

Shawn Spencer of NFLMocks wrote the following about Pharoh in his scouting report:

"“Pharoh Cooper is a starting slot receiver in the NFL who can win with his vision and elusiveness. He is not a receiver who is going to break tackles or gain yards after contact. Cooper’s versatility will undoubtedly draw comparisons to Green Bay Packers WR Randall Cobb…In reality, he’s closer to Percy Harvin. Both are electric playmakers who thrive in open space, but struggle to create offense on their own.”"

Next: SAFETIES