New York Giants exit the draft a much better team
By David Ball
The New York Giants are a better team after the draft, but how much did they actually improve?
As an underperforming 3-13 team last year, it is not hard to assume the Giants will have a better record this year. They made a couple moves that will really help the team as well.
While free agency can help in the short term, Super Bowl winning teams are built through the draft. Under former general manager Jerry Reese, the team did not draft well. Busts like Eli Apple and Ereck Flowers stand out, but it was his late round picks that hurt the team the most.
Late round draft picks can make all the difference. The team’s failure to get contributions from draft picks is a major reason for the lack of success in recent years.
In free agency, the Giants addressed major needs at linebacker and left tackle, but still had many needs entering the draft.
How will the draft picks contribute?
First round (2): Saquon Barkley, RB
Barkley was the best player in the draft. He does not play a premium position which is why some criticize the Giants taking him, but he is a game changer. Dave Gettleman does not buy the devaluation of running backs theory. A dynamic running back can improve the whole team.
Barkley can extend Eli Manning’s career by taking pressure off him. Defenses will have to respect the run now. He will make the offensive line better and give receivers more one on one coverage too. Barkley can also improve the defense by running the clock, allowing them to stay fresh.
Barkley is a player that will improve the Giants on day one. He will immediately be a top five running back.
Second round (34): Will Hernandez, OG
Hernandez is a bruiser on the offensive line that can slot into one of the starting guard positions on opening day. He could have easily been a mid to late first round pick, so the Giants got good value here.
As Gettleman rebuilds the offensive line, Hernandez is a great starting point. There is still a lot of work to do, but Hernandez can develop into a building block for the next decade.
Third round (66): Lorenzo Carter, OLB
Carter will help the Giants revamped linebacking corps. He is a necessary pass rushing linebacker as they switch to a 3-4 scheme. With Olivier Vernon on one side and Carter on the other, the team will have two guys who can get to the quarterback.
Carter was another good value pick as he slipped into the third round. Carter will likely be a starter at some point next season, but maybe not until later in the year though.
Third round (69): B.J. Hill, DT
Hill is a dominant player on the defensive line. He had good size and playmaking ability, as he showed at N.C. State while playing alongside Bradley Chubb.
Hill will supplement the Giants defensive line depth. Barring an injury, Hill will not have much playing time this year. He will be the backup nose tackle to All-Pro Damion Harrison. It never hurts to have defensive line depth to keep players fresh though.
Fourth round (108): Kyle Lauletta, QB
Picking a quarterback this late surprised many, as the team already has third rounder Davis Webb from last year. Lauletta tore up the FCS, which is a lower college football level, but still an impressive feat. He will have a chance to develop behind Manning and possibly be the next starting quarterback.
Drafting a quarterback is like a lottery ticket. Nothing is guaranteed to pan out, but the more chances you take, the higher your chance of hitting on one. Other franchise quarterbacks have been taken later than this, so anything can happen. The one downside is that Webb and Lauletta will have to share practice snaps.
Lauletta will have no impact this season. This is a pick for the future. The Giants got great value for him in the fourth round.
Fifth round (139): R.J. McIntosh, DT
The Giants doubled down on the defensive line with McIntosh. He will likely play defensive end in the 3-4 scheme, as he can rush the passer well. Like Hill, McIntosh will not contribute immediately. This is a depth pick. He will fill a backup defensive end role with a chance for rotational snaps.
Where does Big Blue still need help?
The Giants did not draft a single defensive back or offensive tackle. Both positions are major needs for the Giants.
New York Giants
The offensive line, while much improved, still has an unfilled position at right tackle. Ereck Flowers was presumed to be the starter, but he has not attended voluntary minicamp and has performance questions.
After cutting Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Giants are very thin at cornerback. Starters Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple are serviceable, but there is little depth behind them. Apple will need to step up his play this year, or the Giants will regret not addressing the position.
The team could also use another receiver behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Sheppard after cutting Brandon Marshall.
Forecast for 2018
The Giants will be a much better team this year. Even if they did not add a single player in the offseason, they would still finish with a better record in 2018. The team dramatically underperformed last season.
The Giants did make additions though. They have improved at left tackle, running back, offensive guard, and linebacker with signings and draft picks.
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They also lost Beckham for most of last year due to injury, so they will be getting one of the games best receivers back as well.
With all these additions, look for the Giants to be in the postseason conversation. They have the talent. They just need to perform to their capabilities now.