DB/LB Mark McLaurin
The 6’1″, 215-pounder went undrafted out of Mississippi State even though he was one of the most productive safeties in the SEC. The focus apparently went to his secondary partner, Jonathan Abram, who was selected 27th overall by the Oakland Raiders.
McLaurin actually outplayed Abram statastically the past two seasons, leading the SEC in interceptions (6) and the Bulldogs in tackles in 2017. He was named MVP of the TaxSlayer Bowl.
His 4.77 40 time at the NFL Combine could have been a factor in McLaurin not getting drafted. The Giants look beyond the numbers sometimes and could be doing it here as they are looking at McLaurin as a “tweener” who can play the “moneybacker” in James Bettcher’s system.
Looks like rookie Mark McLaurin will be getting some 1st team work at $ backer in rotation with Alec Ogletree, Tae Davis and B.J. Goodson. #nyg
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) June 4, 2019
McLaurin has showed some of his ballhawking prowess at the Giants’ OTAs this spring, picking off a Daniel Jones pass.He is a player worth watching because moneybacker is an important role in Bettcher’s scheme. In Arizona, Bettcher used Deone Bucannon in the role.
The moneybacker was missing from last year’s defense – an oversized defensive back playing in the box that can cover running backs and tight ends in the passing game.