New York Giants Draft Grades For Day 3 (Rounds 4, 5, 6)

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Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) scores on a touchdown run against the Southern California Trojans during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5, 149th pick: RB Paul Perkins, UCLA Tigers

At 5′ 10″ and 208 lbs., Paul Perkins is a shifty, pass-catching running back that put up some nice numbers for the Bruins in 2015, rushing for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns, with an additional 242 yards and 1 touchdown receiving.

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Doug Farrar from Sports Illustrated said:

"“Reese committed larceny by taking UCLA’s Paul Perkins in the fifth round. Perkins isn’t seen as an every-down back due to his size, but the tape shows a player comparable to LeSean McCoy with a bit more power.”"

WalterFootball.com graded the pick an A:

"“We heard some teams considering Paul Perkins in the third or fourth rounds, so this is great value for the Giants. Perkins, who can play all three downs, seems to have found a nice home with the Giants, where he could emerge as the starter in the near future, partly because of the team’s issues at the position.”"

Graziano from ESPN was also very impressed by the selection:

"“While he gives the Giants six running backs on their roster, I think Perkins offers something the other five don’t — specifically, a hyper-quick shiftiness that breaks defenders’ ankles and forces missed tackles. Like any fifth-round pick, he’s going to have to work his way up the depth chart and contribute on special teams. But it’s not insane to think he could move past the likes of Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, Bobby Rainey and Orleans Darkwa with a strong camp and first couple of months.”"

For those clamoring for an offensive tackle, the selection of Paul Perkins may, once again, look like the Giants are putting the cart before the horse: the team made a similar move drafting David Wilson to run behind a decrepit offensive line in 2012. The difference here is that the current O-line is seemingly one piece away from completion, as opposed to 2012’s paper-thin squad. In this case, it doesn’t hurt to try out a promising back with a mid-round pick, especially when the current committee is not producing any standouts.

Grade: B-

Next: ROUND 6 GRADE

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