John Harbaugh had a very productive first NFL Draft as the New York Giants' head coach. Big Blue addressed several needs at the draft, including linebacker, wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line, all of which will be crucial to building the franchise's future.
The two biggest names that the Giants are walking away from the NFL Draft with are Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa; however, the G-Men found some hidden gems that can really improve their roster on Days 2 and 3.
One of those names is former BYU linebacker Jack Kelly, whom the Giants selected in the sixth round with the 193rd pick, but don’t let where Kelly was drafted scare you away from his potential. In fact, if there’s a team that knows a thing or two about drafting linebackers in the late rounds who would end up becoming stars in New York, it's the Giants.
Jack Kelly could be the next linebacker to become a star with the Giants
Jeff Diamond of Bleacher Report recently ranked the 25 best late-round NFL Draft steals of all time, and who else but Giants legendary linebacker Harry Carson, who was a fourth-round pick in the 1976 draft, cracked the list at 16th.
Carson would go on to help the G-Men win their first Super Bowl over the Denver Broncos in the 1986 season. He would also finish his career as a six-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler, making the Giants’ Ring of Honor as the 7th greatest player in the franchise’s history.
If Kelly is anything like what Carson was with Big Blue, Giants fans are in for a treat, but Carson isn’t even the only late-round linebacker to turn to stardom in New York, with the G-Men, as legendary linebacker Jessie Armstead was also drafted in the late rounds.
Armstead was an eighth-round pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by Big Blue, who selected him 207th overall, which was the year before the NFL adopted the seven-round format in 1994. Not only was he a late-round pick as well, but he would also end up making the Giants’ Ring of Honor.
Obviously, both Carson and Armstead are big shoes to fill for Kelly, but if that’s not motivation for the 23-year-old to accomplish in New York, then I don’t know what is.
The former BYU Cougar is joining a linebacker room that consists of Tremaine Edmunds, Reese, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Does it get any better than that?
Kelly isn’t your typical sixth-round pick, who is pretty much slated to make the Giants’ practice squad out of training camp. If he has a good summer, he could end up making the 53-man roster and becoming a future star with the G-Men for years to come.
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