This week is the famous Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama where prospects from all over the country try to improve their stock. The NY Giants should be out in full force at the event.
While hundreds of people make the journey to Mobile, including yours truly, we are all mentally trying to plot out which of these prospects would fit best with our favorite teams. Today, I’ll be letting you know about ten prospects that I think would a) fit with this NY Giants roster and b) be available at one of the Giants picks without being seen as too much of a reach. Of course, the range for these players could change completely if they have an impressive week here.
Giants GM Dave Gettleman has been famous for falling in love with certain players at the Senior Bowl – taking the MVP of the event three straight years – so it’s far to wager the team takes it very seriously.
We’ve already covered some top options for Big Blue’s #4 overall draft pick, but the Senior Bowl provides a closer look at some day two and three players that could play a key role in filling out the roster.
Here are ten players the NY Giants should have their eye on.
1. Alabama EDGE/LB Anfernee Jennings
The first prospect to take a look at is someone who honestly surprised me when he made the decision to return to Alabama prior to the 2019 NFL Draft. Anfernee Jennings is not a dominant pass-rusher or run defender, but he has shown enough ability as both to be recognized as a well-balanced defender. While he likely won’t put up flashy stats, Jennings should be able to be a consistent producer.
An interesting thing to note is that on the Senior Bowl website they have Jennings listed as an inside linebacker, which he hasn’t played much of since his early years with the Crimson Tide. If this wasn’t an error, it likely means that NFL teams requested he be designated at linebacker to see how he operates there.
This could be seen as both positive and negative. The positive? If he’s successful, Jennings could show his versatility and raise his stock. Even if he struggles this week, his willingness to try out a different position should be applauded while also not hurting him because he’s playing out of position. The negative? This could mean that Jennings hasn’t impressed enough as an edge rusher for NFL teams to view him as one at the next level.
Given that the NY Giants are looking to go with multiple defensive fronts in new Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme, Jennings could be a perfect fit. Jennings has shown his ability to play both as a 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 rush outside linebacker while at Alabama. If he can add off-ball linebacker to his resume this week, he significantly improves his stock in my book.
2. Baylor RB JaMycal Hasty
The man who prompted me to immediately write down “sweet feet” when watching him play is making his way down to Mobile. Hasty is one of the prospects that I’m the most excited to see in practice this week, especially as a potential NY Giants pick.
Hasty was easily the most balanced running back on the Baylor Bears roster during the 2019 season. Unfortunately for his stats, Hasty was forced to split snaps between John Lovett and Trestan Ebner this season. Whether you look at his ability to break off long runs at any given moment or his skill as a pass-blocker, Hasty has the talent to step in and contribute immediately.
The suggestion of adding JaMycal Hasty isn’t meant for him to come in and take snaps away from Saquon Barkley, but rather for him to add a quality backup to the roster that could also step in as an upgrade over Saquon when it comes to pass-protection. I don’t think there’s a backup running back on the roster right now who I would be comfortable stepping in as the lead back should Saquon get injured again (knock on wood).
3. Cincinnati TE Josiah Deguara
Believe it or not, Cincinnati is not the smallest school on this list. Josiah Deguara is a name that you might have never heard before, but he’s got talent as a late-round senior that is rare to find.
Deguara first caught my eye against UCLA this season when he made some big plays throughout the whole game. As a receiver, Deguara was one of the most talented on the Bearcats and his ability should be on full display this week throughout practice, especially in one-on-ones. Like most college tight ends, blocking seems to be the weakest part of his game, but he’s got the raw talent to develop.
I know the idea of adding another tight end with a receiving strength and blocking weakness isn’t what the fans want right now, but with Jason Garrett’s offense and the current NY Giants roster, I wouldn’t expect too many multiple tight end sets where Deguara would play immediately. Developing Deguara as a blocker and stashing him away in case Evan Engram gets hurt (knock on wood again), with a late-round value wouldn’t be too impactful if he ends up not working out.
4. Connecticut OL Matt Peart
Now here’s the smallest school on this list. Most casual fans probably haven’t even realized that UConn has a legit draft prospect, let alone one that has the potential to go on day 2. Matt Peart is exactly that though, as his name has gained some traction in recent weeks.
Peart is one of those prospects with the opportunity to have his stock skyrocket with a good week in Mobile. The combination of quickness, length, and almost no tape against top defenders leaves Peart with the opportunity to impress against the strong defensive line and edge prospects at the Senior Bowl.
Peart is raw but his athletic make-up can give scouts heart-eyes. Add that in with a lack of top-tier coaching, NFL teams will think they can mold this coal into a diamond. Some scouts think Peart projects better as a guard, but I think he might be one of those guys that can rotate and fill in wherever needed until he finds a solid role.
5. Florida EDGE Jonathan Greenard
Jonathan Greenard is, in my opinion, one of the top overall prospects at this year’s Senior Bowl. After transferring from Louisville, Greenard had a breakout season as a pass-rusher for the Gators in 2019.
It’s no secret or surprise that the NY Giants will likely be taking a keen interest in at least one edge rusher in this year’s Senior Bowl class. Arguably the best pass-rusher on the roster, Greenard has a prime opportunity to help his stock in one-on-ones.
Another edge defender that’s capable of standing up or putting his hand in the dirt, Greenard loves pinning his ears back and rushing the quarterback more than anything else. I would not be shocked to see Greenard go in the middle of day two if he puts forth a strong showing this week.
6. Michigan IOL Ben Bredeson
Ben Bredeson is a prospect who has impressed me ever since I first put on his tape. I’m usually not one to get overly excited to watch offensive linemen but Bredeson is one I love watching play.
His raw power as a blocker is something to watch in awe as he can just absolutely bully some of these 300+ pound men at the line of scrimmage. Where Bredeson struggles is lateral quickness. Bredeson likely would not have the athleticism to succeed in most zone-blocking schemes, but in a power scheme, he could be a dominant run blocker.
As a pass-blocker, Bredeson would likely be able to hold his own against most defensive tackles that use power as their primary method of attack. He’s got great strength with below-average mobility while he also is one of the highest IQ offensive linemen in the entire draft.
He’ll take some developing of course to become a full-time starter, but if the Giants can have Will Hernandez and Ben Bredeson on the interior just punching defensive linemen in the mouth all game, they would form one of the toughest guard duos in the league. Depending on how his Senior Bowl week goes, Bredeson could be a big climber, but NY Giants fans should hope he doesn’t climb too much as he’s right in range for their fourth-round pick.
7. Michigan State EDGE Kenny Willekes
We’ve finally caught up to the prospect with likely the highest draft grade on the list. Willekes has floated around the back-end of the first round or early portions of the second round for months now.
A late addition to the Senior Bowl, Willekes has a playstyle that is somewhat similar to that of Alabama EDGE Anfernee Jennings (see: #1 on this list). Willekes has slightly more talent as both a pass-rusher and run defender but is nowhere near as versatile as Jennings.
I’m curious to find out why Willekes was a late addition to the game since he’s been regarded as a potential day one prospect since before the season began.
8. Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool
As we all know by now, the Giants hired former Patriots Special Teams Coordinator/WR Coach Joe Judge as their new head coach. Initially, I didn’t think there were many receivers that the NY Giants would show a ton of interest in at the Senior Bowl. Then I saw Chase Claypool’s name.
Claypool is as talented a special teamer as you can find down in Mobile this week. If you add in his ability as a wide receiver, he becomes a particularly intriguing option to pair with Joe Judge.
Like most Notre Dame wide receivers, Claypool was restricted by the offense and never got to truly show off his potential as a receiver so that’s the primary part of Claypool’s game that everyone will be watching for in Mobile. As far as special teams go, we know that Claypool is one of, if not the best of the group at the Senior Bowl.
9. TCU RB Darius “Jet” Anderson
If you follow me on Twitter, by now you know that Darius Anderson is one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft and was one of my favorite players in college football this year. Anderson, like Hasty, would be a better option as a backup for Saquon Barkley than any back on the NY Giants roster.
Anderson offers slightly more upside as both a rusher and receiver than JaMycal Hasty, but not as much pass-blocking prowess. Anderson has natural receiving ability with the ability to not only outrun defenders, but also to absorb contact and keep moving.
As a special teamer, Anderson offers upside with some experience as a return man. His ability to be patient and wait for blocks to develop while also having tremendous top speed makes him a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball, whether it be on offense or special teams.
10. Washington IOL Nick Harris
Let me preface this by saying that as a Florida Gators fan, it pains me to write the suggestion that Jon Halapio be replaced as the center of the New York Giants. However, if the NY Giants are truly interested in protecting Daniel Jones and giving Saquon Barkley the rushing lanes, it’s time.
Nick Harris is the top center at the Senior Bowl and with Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey returning to school for his senior season, Harris might be the top center in the class. Humphrey going back to school also makes Harris’ stock rise to the point where he can challenge Kenny Willekes for the top draft spot on this list.
While Harris has been on the rise as of late, I would not be doing my job properly if I left here without telling you what you could expect from Nick Harris. First off, expect him to cost the Giants their second-round pick if they decide to draft him. Second, know that Harris is an intelligent center capable of making protection calls and holding his own, but he lacks top strength to be dominant on a consistent basis.
For a talent reference, I have a second-round grade on Nick Harris but the lack of top talent and depth along the interior offensive line in this year’s draft class, along with a huge need for offensive linemen across the NFL means that he very well could hear his name called before the first night of the draft is over.