NYDN’s Ralph Vacchiano Reveals Why The New York Giants Drafted The Way They Did
By Neal Lynch
The New York Giants draft was entertaining as hell. New York Daily News reporter Ralph Vacchiano wrote a revealing article that helped me – and hopefully other Giants fans – understand the reasoning behind Jerry Reese’s picks.
First, Vacchiano examined the selection of Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple. As I wrote the night of Draft Day 1, no one projected the 20-year-old Apple to the G-Men even if his namesake called for it. Not an exaggeration. Not one person. Many thought Big Blue would go with Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley, Buckeye Ezekiel Elliott, Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin, or possibly Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd.
On WFAN, Jerry Reese responded to the criticism of the Giants first round pick: “…we would be happy with Eli Apple as our pick as No. 10.”
The ever-skeptical Vacchiano expounded on that comment with:
"“Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: The Giants’ top target was Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd, and the only real debate before the draft started was between him and Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Conklin. Everything else was a contingency plan, even if they did map those out.”"
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According to Vacchiano, “pissed off” is how a league source described the Giants war room when the Titans and Bears traded up to get Jack Conklin and Leonard Floyd respectively. And when the Giants were on the clock and Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil – the highest graded draft prospect who many scouts and experts believe will be a perennial All-Pro – was still on the board, fans everywhere were screaming at the top of their lungs to take him, but…
"“My understanding is that (Laremy Tunsil) was the top OL on the Giants’ board too, and from what I can tell he was not off their board until the bong video came out. When it did, he became untouchable for them (at least in the first round). I don’t know if ownership got involved in that call, but everyone I talked to seemed to understand ownership never would’ve allowed that pick under those circumstances.”"
So, you won’t take the best offensive lineman in the draft in the FIRST round because of a gas mask bong video, BUT you WILL take him in the second? The logic on that is just outrageous.
Anyway, it was just recently announced that Apple will wear #28, so, unless he forgets how to play football, he should be able to wipe away the memories of the last player to wear that number, Jayron Hosley. Dan Schneier of TodaysPigskin wrote that Apple should have an immediate impact in Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme despite concerns about Eli’s ability to “play in space” in zone coverage.
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With the First Pick
Vacchiano goes on:
"“In Round 2, the discussion centered around the man they took, Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard, and Alabama LB Reggie Ragland, who went one pick later to the Bills, according to a team source. The Giants had a very high grade on Shepard, though, and there were linebackers they liked that they thought they could get in later rounds (including Clemson’s B.J. Goodson, whom they took in the fourth).”"
The leaked medical report that Ragland has an enlarged aorta had to affect the decision to go with Shepard. Add in Sterling’s sterling reputation as being an honorable, family-oriented dude and the choice becomes clearer. That’s not a shot at Ragland, by the way, but just the stigma attached to Shepard, which the Giants value most. Plus, they got the next best guy in B.J. Goodson, whom “fell in love” with the Giants during interviews and visits.
Ultimately, things worked out. Yes, the G-Men didn’t add anyone along the lines, in the trenches. That has to be the number one knock on this year’s crop of prospects. I would argue they could’ve selected Tunsil in Round 1, Mackensie Alexander in Round 2, and then looked to add another high-caliber defensive lineman in the later rounds since there were a million of them that graded out as starters. Only problem there is you miss out on a wide receiver they really needed who can soften the transition away from Victor Cruz.
Next: Giants Top 10 Fifth Round Draft Picks Ever
While most analysts gave the Giants a ‘C’ draft grade, probably because of the reach on Apple and the failure to address the lines, the 4th – 6th picks in Goodson, Paul Perkins, and Jerell Adams have all been called steals and the best of the later rounds.