The New York Giants' rookie draft class looks fantastic

While it’s surely important to remember to take everything with a grain of salt in the preseason, the New York Giants’ rookie draft class has looked fantastic so far. It’s going to be hard, if not impossible, to keep these rookies off the field this season.

To say GM Dave Gettleman’s short tenure with the Giants has been controversial would be the understatement of the century. The brash, long time personnel man has made it known that he cares little about the media or fans’ opinions. The jury is still out on Gettleman and many of his questionable moves, but one thing is for certain; the man has put together two solid draft classes.

Here’s a look at the 2019 draft picks who have fared well early on in their rookie campaigns, and figure to see meaningful playing time.

CB Deandre Baker

Gettleman liked the former Georiga Bulldog so much that he traded back into the end of the first round to select him. That seems to have been the right decision so far, as Baker is all but penciled-in as the starter opposite Janoris Jenkins. The coaches have praised his alpha dog mentality, as he has sought after the toughest match-ups he can get in practice and in the first two preseason games (missed the Cincinnati game due to injury).

Baker dominated the SEC conference, not allowing a single touchdown after his freshman season. The Jim Thorpe award winner was like white on rice against the nation’s best receivers, and has brought that pedigree to a Giants team that desperately needed it. Expect Baker to be a major part of Big Blue’s defense all season.

DL Dexter Lawrence

Dexter Lawrence’s Giants career will likely be unfairly judged, as he was the main piece in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. While his production will probably never come close to Beckham’s, he is already showing why Gettleman selected him 17th overall.

The massive defensive lineman has displayed the versatility to play all three spots along the Giants’ defensive line, demonstrating a consistent ability to collapse the pocket in limited preseason action. Lawrence seems to be one of those players whose best work will not show up on the stat sheet, and that’s fine. Dominating double teams and eating blockers will surely lead to other Giants, and the team, having success. Lawrence will get his chance right off the bat, and will be heavily featured.

QB Daniel Jones

In what may have been the most controversial draft pick in the last ten years, the Daniel Jones selection made waves amongst NFL fans (and other quarterbacks, apparently) everywhere. So far, Jones has exhibited just what Gettleman saw in him, lighting up opposing defenses. ‘Danny Dimes’ has been the star of the preseason for the team, tallying an overall quarterback rating of 140.1 in his first three games.

The whole feeling around this Giants team has changed due to his incredible play. A seminal moment occurred in last night’s game against Cincinnati, when Jones bounced back from taking a hard sack from behind, only to step up and deliver a 27 yard dime to Darius Slayton on the next play. Jones seems to be like Eli Manning in many ways, his ability to dust off a big hit like the Giants legend will endear him to fans.

It’s going to be very hard for head coach Pat Shurmur to justify keeping the rookie sensation off the field, especially if Eli looks in any way like he has over the past few seasons.

CB Corey Ballentine

We all know the struggles Corey Ballentine has endured this offseason by now. What has been amazing to see is his capability to push aside the most trying time of his life to deliver a training camp and preseason for the ages. The sixth round pick has gone from the roster bubble to a fringe starter in short order.

The Division II product has looked every bit like an NFL player in his preseason action. It’s fair to say Ballentine has gotten the most extended look out of every player on the team, as the coaching staff clearly is testing him out to see if he can be a major part of this team. The rookie has passed the test with flying colors, and appears ready to take on a major role in 2019.

OLB O’Shane Ximines

The ‘other’ part of the Odell Beckham Jr. trade has shown off a ferocious pass-rushing game during this preseason. We all know that this team is lacking a dynamic pass-rush, and the ‘X-Man’ just may be the antidote. The former small college superstar has fit in wonderfully on this defense, racking up three sacks in the first three games of preseason play.

Reasonably, there are questions about Ximines’ coverage abilities. The hulking edge rusher was not asked much, if at all, to cover anyone in college. It will likely be trial by fire for the third round pick, and no one truly knows yet how he will fair. Ximines has earned the right to be given a shot, as he has shown the potential to get after the quarterback. While he may not be a starter right out of the gates, expect him to be heavily featured in passing situations.

ILB Ryan Connelly

Gettleman seems to have made his fifth round pick count as well, as inside linebacker Ryan Connelly has exceeded expectations thus far. Taking advantage of a calf injury to Alec Ogletree, Connelly has even been tasked with receiving and relaying the defensive play calls to his teammates while in the game.

The coaching staff has raved about his character, and the former Wisconsin Badger has actually flashed more athleticism than he was thought to have. The definition of solid in the first three preseason games, it wouldn’t be a shocker to see Connelly grab the second inside spot.

If you listen to rumors, one hot one being floated around is that Alec Ogletree could end up being a cap casualty at roster cut time. Connelly may not even need that to happen to end up cracking the lineup, as he seems every bit as good as Tae Davis, anyway.

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The New York Giants’ rookie draft class looks fantastic

By Charles Vitolo | Aug 23, 2019