Giants rumors: NY to take Alabama DB with the No. 25 overall pick?

With Julian Love leaving the NY Giants to sign a two-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, there's a major defensive void left to fill for general manager Joe Schoen. While there are some options on the current roster to step in and replace Love, NY could look for a starter via the NFL Draft.

But, could a playmaker be coming in the first round? For a while, the expectation has been that the Giants will take a wideout, cornerback or interior offensive lineman. Don't tell that to CBS' Will Brinson. In his latest NFL Mock Draft, Brinson thinks that the Giants will take Alabama safety Brian Branch late in the first round.

Alabama safety Brian Branch to the Giants in the first round would be a surprise

""The Giants dipped into the 'Bama pool in the first round last year, so let's run it back here to beef up the back of this defense. Branch is just 21 years old with positional versatility and Brian Daboll certainly has a viable connection with Nick Saban to find out how Branch will fit. Wide receiver would be fine here too but this is good value given what's available later for pass catchers." "

- Will Brinson

This pick would be a bit of a shocker, but at the end of the day, Schoen could end up going with the best player available. If Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are all off the board by pick No. 25, then Schoen will have to shift his focus elsewhere.

Branch is coming off a huge year for the Crimson Tide. In 13 games last season, the 6-0, 190-pounder posted 90 total tackles and two interceptions. This is the first time we've seen Branch linked with the Giants, but it very well may not be the last. He's an exciting young player and Branch could make sense/be a playmaker for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

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