Our Analysts Hand Out New York Giants 2016 Draft Grades

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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Eli Apple (Ohio State) is selected by the New York Giants as the number ten overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, Pick 10: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)

“I’ll admit that I immediately hated this pick when it was announced, and I thought the Giants got embarrassed by the Titans and Bears swooping in and eating Big Blue’s lunch right in front of them. After sleeping on it for a couple nights, I realize now that the Giants may have done the best thing they could, given the situation. Apple could develop into an essential cog to improve what was one of the worst defenses in the league in 2015, but the “project” label he’s been slapped with drags this grade down a notch.”

Steve Curry: C+

“It’s hard to grade any higher here when Florida prospect Vernon Hargreaves III stood available as the majorly higher-rated cornerback. Apple’s career will forever be compared to the technically sound ball-hawk selected immediately after him at No. 11 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, in the vacuum that is Apple as a player without worrying about trading down to potentially maximize his value, the surprise is definitely pleasant. Both his physicality and raw star-power will positively challenge Odell Beckham Jr. and the wide receivers during weekly practices. His personality visits the vision of this secondary and he slides someone like Bennett Jackson more comfortably to dime back. Coaching should ideally clean up the penalties, and take Jerry Reese’s reassuring “zero issues” rationale with the reminder of his draft pedigree, but the Apple Picker just as himself is a winner for the 2015’s No. 32 pass defense. I smell Peyton Manning passing the torch of chicken parm commercials to the two Elis in New York.”

Michael Luca: B+

Next: WAS THIS A STERLING CHOICE?

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