5. Oshane Ximines
Most NY Giants fans were likely unfamiliar with Oshane Ximines when the team selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 95th overall selection. Afterall, Ximines had played at a smaller school (Old Dominion University) and smaller conference (Conference USA), so there was not a great deal of national attention surrounding him.
Despite the lack of a national spotlight, Ximines was extremely productive at Old Dominion, racking up 32.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, and 51 tackles for a loss during his collegiate career. Solid numbers for an edge rusher, regardless of what size school he played at.
Ximines was seen as a developmental edge rushing prospect by many draft experts. He possessed an excellent combination of speed rushing ability and hand technique required to be a pass-rushing asset in the NFL.
Despite having an excellent combination of size, athleticism, and speed, many believed that the small school product would require time to become acclimated with the advanced play of the NFL. Even though he was coined as a developmental project, Ximines would play in all 16 games for the NY Giants last season, starting in two of those games (against the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots).
Although he didn’t see a significant amount of snaps on defense, Ximines was fairly productive as a rookie. He would record 25 total tackles, five tackles for a loss, four and a half sacks, and nine quarterback hits in limited time.
With a year of playing time under his belt, Ximines should be acclimated to the NFL game coming into his sophomore season. With the benefit of a solid defensive line in front of him and a vastly improved defensive backfield that should provide him with additional time to get to the quarterback, Ximines could be poised for a breakout season in 2020.