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Ranking the top 5 options for the NY Giants at pick #4

By Charles Vitolo

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks to block DeAndre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks to block DeAndre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Potential NY Giants draft target Jeff Okudah  (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Potential NY Giants draft target Jeff Okudah  (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

4. CB Jeff Okudah

This selection would stay away from our main goal of meshing team need with the best player available, but it surely checks the positional value box off in spades. The NY Giants have heavily invested in cornerback over the past few seasons, but so far it hasn’t worked out well. Hopefully, that changes with the addition of top-tier free agent, James Bradberry.

Jeff Okudah looks like he’ll be the next star NFL cornerback to come out of the cornerback factory that is Ohio State University, often referred to as ‘DB-U’. A five-star prospect in high school, Okudah patiently waited behind some excellent players before making the most of his first chance as a full-time starter during his junior season in 2019.

He’s the epitome of the current perfect cornerback prospect, as he’s long and fast with the ability to win against bigger and smaller receivers. He thrives as a press corner off the line and has the recovery speed and ability to make up for it should he lose the initial battle off the line of scrimmage.

Unfortunately, this would be too much of a luxury pick for the NY Giants to make at this juncture due to all the other pressing needs. But, his overall grade (B+) combined with how important cornerback is slots him firmly in my #4 position. I’ve got him graded higher than Tristan Wirfs, but again, the fact that we have invested $15M per year, a first-round and a third-round pick in our cornerback room in the past few seasons makes this not super-realistic.

This selection would almost make it seem like the team was waving the white flag early on 2019 first-round pick, Deandre Baker, although I believe Baker could actually thrive in the nickel cornerback role. Not to mention, nickel is just about every team’s base defense these days when it’s all said and done due to offenses lining up with three wideouts so frequently.

Still, if you believe Dave Gettleman, he’s going to go with the best player available. Should Okudah drop to #4, it’ll be hard to make the argument that he is not in fact just that.

Overall Grade: B+

Team need: 3/10

Positional value: 8/10

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