Every year, we see NFL studs and sometimes superstars selected well past the first or even second round of the draft. While the NY Giants have not had much luck with these rounds in recent seasons, this is a whole new regime with a different drafting strategy that could prove to be fruitful.
If the Giants could manage to add a top-tier player to their roster in the mid-to-late rounds, it would be a serious game-changer for both sides of the ball. We all know how close this team is to being great, so adding a star at minimal cost would just be incredible.
These seven players all could very well fit the criteria of being a star selected in rounds 3-7. While nothing is guaranteed in the draft, these seven guys stick out just a little more than most people projected to go in their range.
7. DL Dante Stills, West Virginia
If the NY Giants are looking to add some serious depth to their defensive line, they should look no further than West Virginia's own Dante Stills, who is one of the most versatile defensive linemen in the country. This kid has game.
Throughout his college career, Stills has played 1,223 snaps on the interior, 820 snaps lined up over the tackle, and even 330 snaps played outside of the tackle. This sort of versatility to play and succeed at all positions on the defensive line is not common and is something the Giants may want to add to their roster.
Stills is also one of the better defensive line prospects from an athletic standpoint, running a 4.85 40-yard dash, showcasing a 9'5 broad jump and running a 7.38 three-cone drill, all of which rank third amongst players at his position.
There may be things for Stills to work on from a technique and pass-rushing standpoint, but this sort of versatility and athleticism is a recipe for success with a defensive lineman, one the Giants may want to pick up to help mold their core in the trenches.
6. OG Andrew Vorhees, USC
Prior to the NFL Combine, Andrew Vorhees was considered to be a top-three guard in this year's draft class. However, a torn ACL has seemingly plummeted his draft stock. Despite this, the Giants should still heavily consider selecting Vorhees if he falls to the fourth or fifth round.
While he obviously won't play in his rookie season, Vorhees is talented enough to the point where the Giants could select him late and have it be worth the value despite the fact that he won't play until 2024.
Through 436 pass-blocking snaps last season, Vorhees allowed just 15 total pressures and two sacks while also being a great run blocker. Out of all the guards in this year's draft class not named O'Cyrus Torrence, who is the clear No. 1 at the position, Vorhees has by far and away the highest floor.
In addition to this skill, Vorhees has a heart and devotion to the game like no other, This was put on display when following the ACL tear he suffered at the Combine, Vorhees made his way to the bench press with crutches on and proceeded to rack up 38 reps, which ranked first among all Combine participants.
5. C Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
With both Jon Feliciano and Nick Gates leaving in free agency this offseason, the NY Giants are officially in the market for a new center. While there are certainly better options than Olusegun Oluwatimi, snagging him in the fourth round might be the best pick to make in terms of value.
Honestly, it's a little surprising to see that Oluwatimi is projected to fall that far because watching his film shows a high-upside center who has the potential to be an incredible run blocker in the NFL. If it all comes together for Oluwatimi, he very well could end up being the top center from this draft class.
In 410 pass-blocking snaps last season, Oluwatimi allowed just nine total pressures and zero sacks in addition to earning a PFF run-blocking grade of 83.0. While Oluwatimi's pass-blocking numbers are rather impressive, this is where he needs the most work.
For starters, his hands have the tendency to get a little too wide in pass protection alongside some stagnant footwork at times. While this can be fixed with more experience in the pros, it is still something worth noting.
If the Giants opt to select Oluwatimi in the draft, they will be getting a high-ceiling run blocker with so much room to grow as a pass protector. The value they could potentially get out of selecting Oluwatimi in the fourth round would be off the charts.
4. CB D.J Turner, Michigan
D.J Turner made waves amongst the NFL community when he posted an absolutely ridiculous 4.26 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. However, it seems as if people are forgetting that he was a genuinely solid corner during his time at Michigan due to this near record-breaking 40-time.
While his lack of size and length could hold him back a bit in the pros, there is no doubt that he has all the athletic and technical tools to be a great corner in the NFL. It's pretty hard to grasp where exactly he will land in the draft, but if the NY Giants can land him it could be a huge addition to their secondary.
Through 14 games at Michigan last season, Turner allowed just 33 receptions on 71 targets for 408 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, breaking up seven passes in the process. Alongside this, Turner is a surprisingly good run defender for his size, racking up 38 combined tackles while only missing six.
Turner's 5'11, 178-pound frame may force him to play in the slot as opposed to outside like he did in college. While he had a great season, there were moments when he would get tossed around by more physical receivers which could become a problem. Despite this, moving him inside to the slot could prove to be a more suitable role for Turner.
3. WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia
Similar to Turner, West Virginia WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton had a dominant showing at this year's Combine and rose up the draft board because of it. However, unlike Turner, Wheaton is a rather raw prospect who still has room to grow.
The size (6-4, 221 pounds) and athleticism Wheaton possesses are incredibly rare to find in a wide receiver. It's not every day that you see a 6-4 receiver run a 4.38 40-yard dash, display a 41-inch vertical and 10'9 broad jump.
However, while Wheaton may be an incredibly athletic prospect, he has a lot to work on as an overall receiver. For starters, Wheaton has a ton of work to do in terms of his overall footwork off the line of scrimmage, especially in press-man coverage.
Despite this, Wheaton will enter the league as an incredibly fun-to-watch deep threat and 50/50 ball type of player. This sort of threat is something the Giants could really use on offense. Adding a player like this, who still has room to grow as an overall threat, could be what takes the Giants over the top in a couple of years.
2. LB Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati
Out of all the linebacker prospects we have looked at throughout this year's draft cycle, there may not be a player at the position more entertaining to watch than Ivan Pace Jr., which is saying a lot considering how stacked of a linebacker class this year's draft has.
However, the main thing holding Pace back from being the certified top linebacker in the class is his size, as a 5-10.5, 231-pound frame for a linebacker is far from ideal. However, we have seen linebackers at this size be successful in the past, and with the heart Pace plays with, anything is possible.
In 13 games last season, Pace racked up 126 combined tackles, 25 pressures, 12 sacks, and two forced fumbles. In addition to this, Pace is also incredibly solid in coverage, allowing 12 receptions on 14 targets for 114 yards and two touchdowns, while breaking up two passes in the process.
The combination of speed, aggressiveness, and IQ Pace plays with is special - if he had the frame of Trenton Simpson, Pace would be the clear-cut LB1 of the draft class and it likely wouldn't be very close.
We're confident that Pace will be one of the short kings of the linebacker position once he makes the NFL. The versatility and heart he brings to the field will more than make up for his lack of size relative to his position.
1. WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati
There may not be a more dynamic wide receiver threat in this year's draft than Tyler Scott. Not only is he extremely deadly in the open field, but he has tons of untapped potential as a kick/punt returner in the NFL. This doesn't come as much as a surprise though considering that Scott used to be a top running back prospect in high school.
Scott is incredibly underrated for the skill set he brings to the field. While he has some things to work on from a technique standpoint, the tools are there for Scott to be an incredible player in the league once he is drafted.
Last year at Cincinnati, Scott caught 55 passes for 904 yards and nine touchdowns, racking up 361 yards after the catch in the process. While Scott didn't gain much experience as a returner in college, he has all the traits to be a great player at the position as well.
In addition to all of the great stuff he does on the field, Scott is also an athletic freak, running a 4.44 40-yard dash, displaying a 39.5 vertical, and an 11'1 broad jump as well. If Scott is available to the Giants with their remaining third-round pick, Schoen should not hesitate to select him.