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Senior Bowl: Top 25 draft prospects for New York Giants

By Henry Buggy

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys looks over the line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys looks over the line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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#25 – Iowa State WR Allen Lazard

AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Allen Lazard #5 of the Iowa State Cyclones pulls in a touchdown pass as safety Darius Curry #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys blocks in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Oklahoma State Cowboys won 49-42 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Allen Lazard #5 of the Iowa State Cyclones pulls in a touchdown pass as safety Darius Curry #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys blocks in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Oklahoma State Cowboys won 49-42 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

The Cyclones 6-foot-5, 222-pound receiver will likely be Iowa State’s first drafted prospect since 2014.

The Giants don’t have a big need for a wide receiver in the early rounds of the 2018 draft, but season-ending injuries to Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall left Big Blue thin at the receiver position.

Lazard could be a mid-to-late round steal in the 2018 draft and finished his collegiate career as the program’s leader in receptions (241) and receiving yards (3,360).

#24 – Iowa OL Sean Welsh

LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 24: General view of footballs used by the Iowa Hawkeyes before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 24: General view of footballs used by the Iowa Hawkeyes before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Iowa’s 6-foot-3, 295-pound guard earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in his senior year.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller lists the Hawkeyes offensive lineman as the “biggest sleeper” and “biggest riser” at the center position on his Big Board.

The Giants have questions to answer with both Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg set to test free agency, making Welsh one of the top prospect to watch this week. Nevada’s Austin Corbett will be another offensive line prospect to watch in Mobile, but Welsh edged him out for the last lineman spot on this list.

#23 – Stanford DT Harrison Phillips

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 27: Harrison Phillips of Stanford and team mates celebrate winning the College Football Sydney Cup match between Stanford University (Stanford Cardinal) and Rice University (Rice Owls) at Allianz Stadium on August 27, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 27: Harrison Phillips of Stanford and team mates celebrate winning the College Football Sydney Cup match between Stanford University (Stanford Cardinal) and Rice University (Rice Owls) at Allianz Stadium on August 27, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) /

Phillips is arguably the best defensive tackle prospect at the Senior Bowl this week, but both Alabama’s Da’Shawn Hand and Florida State’s Derrick Nnadi will look to turn heads with their impressive play.

Any of the three could be on New York’s Big Board come April, but the Giants don’t have a pressing need at the defensive tackle position.

Big Blue may need to find a replacement for rotational defensive tackle Jay Bromley, but Phillips is unlikely to stay on the board past the mid-rounds. The Cardinal 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive tackle recorded 98 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his senior year.

#22 – Iowa RB Akrum Wadley

AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 9: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes jumps over defensive back Evrett Edwards #4, and linebacker Willie Harvey #7 of the Iowa State Cyclones to score a touchdown in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa Hawkeyes won 44-41 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 9: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes jumps over defensive back Evrett Edwards #4, and linebacker Willie Harvey #7 of the Iowa State Cyclones to score a touchdown in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa Hawkeyes won 44-41 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

The Hawkeyes 5-foot-11, 191-pound tailback is coming off a second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. Wadley also caught 71 passes for 761 yards in four seasons at Iowa and scored 35 touchdowns.

The Giants have a decision to make with unrestricted free agent Orleans Darkwa this offseason, and whether they believe Wayne Gallman can be the lead back in 2018. Either way, Gettleman may still look to add a tailback in the draft, and Wadley could be a mid-round sleeper to keep an eye on.

#21 – Ohio State DE Tyquan Lewis

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans runs from Tyquan Lewis #59 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between USC and Ohio State at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 24-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans runs from Tyquan Lewis #59 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between USC and Ohio State at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 24-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

The Buckeyes may have had the most talented defensive line in college football in 2017, and Lewis may be flying under the radar due to teammates Nick Bosa and Sam Hubbard.

While Hubbard is considered the top defensive end prospect from Ohio State in this year’s class, multiple franchises would likely love a chance to add Lewis to their roster. Through four seasons in Columbus, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end recorded 112 tackles, 37 tackles for a loss, 23.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.

The Giants need to add depth to the defensive end position, and Lewis can surely boost his draft stock with a strong week in Mobile.

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