New York Giants: Grades for all six draft picks
By Henry Buggy
RJ McIntosh – Grade: B
With New York’s final pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Gettleman selected another athletic defensive lineman in RJ McIntosh.
The 6-foot-5, 286-pound prospect has the talent, skill set, and size to fill multiple positions on the defensive line and could be an ideal fit as a 3-4 defensive end in Bettcher’s defense. Shurmur addressed where Big Blue envisions playing the Hurricanes defensive lineman.
"“I think he can play a three-technique, he can play the critical five-technique for us. He’s developmental in some ways with his body, we feel like he can be a really, really big man and that’s what you’re looking for. He’s got a really good skillset and good traits in terms of movement and he was productive and played well on a really good team, not to mention he’s a high character guy as well.”"
Having players that can fill multiple roles is key to Bettcher’s defense. But the Giants get a B grade for this selection based on the talent on the board at other positions of need.
Cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Darius Phillips, and Parry Nickerson were all on the board for Big Blue at No. 139. The Giants could have also added some much-needed help at right tackle with Tyrell Crosby or Jamarco Jones, who were both selected after McIntosh in the fifth-round.
But it’s not as though the Giants whiffed on McIntosh. The Hurricanes defensive lineman was projected to be a fourth- to fifth-round draft selection, making him a solid value pick.
Through three seasons in the ACC, McIntosh amassed 23 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, nine passes defended, and one forced fumble.
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Overall, Gettleman made the most of his picks. He added players that can make an immediate impact while also planning for the future.
Big Blue’s 2018 draft class also clearly shows an emphasis on improving the team’s play in the trenches. They used three of their six selections on offensive and defensive linemen.