The New York Giants made a number of surprising decisions during the 2017 NFL Draft. Vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross explained the reasoning.
Entering the 2017 NFL Draft, the New York Giants had an opportunity to solidify the future of the organization. An elite defense was already in place and the wide receiver position was certified as elite on paper.
Although the moves weren’t necessarily made in poor taste, Giants fans were left puzzled by the perceived refusal to draft an offensive lineman.
New York entered the 2017 NFL Draft with a powerful void at offensive tackle. It wasn’t until the sixth round, when general manager Jerry Reese drafted Adam Bisnowaty at No. 200 overall, that the Giants made a play or an offensive lineman.
According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN’s NFL Nation, vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross explained why the Giants didn’t reach for an offensive lineman.
"“We stuck to our board from the first round until the sixth,” vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross said after the draft. “We’re not going to reach. If we feel like there is a player of value and need at the right place and the right time, we are going to take him. We’re just not going to jump over players that we feel are better players who can contribute to reach for a perceived position of need.”"
The Giants’ decision-making at the 2017 NFL Draft was somewhat polarizing, but this explanation offers a fair explanation.
New York has remained true to its formula of selecting the best player available during the NFL Draft. It may not always work out for the best, but Reese is coming off of a wildly successful 2016 season with an elite defense.
During the 2017 NFL Draft, New York made a concerted effort to improve long-term with three of the first four picks being spent on offensive players.
None of those players were offensive linemen, however, and that’s sitting wrong with a legion of Giants fans.
Following the 2016 season, the Giants’ offensive tackles were rated as the worst duo in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart have upside, but both performed at an underwhelming level in pass protection.
With an aging quarterback in 36-year-old Eli Manning, the Giants will need to be stronger during the 2017 campaign.
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Jerry Reese appears confident that D.J. Fluker and Ereck Flowers will develop into the missing pieces for the New York Giants.