Mel Kiper has NY Giants making surprise first-round pick in his new Mock Draft

Michigan v Wisconsin
Michigan v Wisconsin / Tom Hauck/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Just when you thought that it was feeling more and more likely that the NY Giants will take a wideout in the first round of the NFL Draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. surprised us all with his latest prediction. On Tuesday morning, the draft guru dropped his latest mock and he's got plenty of people talking.

For the G-Men specifically, Kiper has Joe Schoen going with a star cornerback in the first round at No. 25 overall. So, either Deonte Banks or Emmanuel Forbes will be heading to East Rutherford, right? Nope. Kiper thinks that Michigan cornerback DJ Turner will be hearing his name called for Big Blue.

Mel Kiper thinks Michigan's DJ Turner will get drafted by the NY Giants

""I've slotted in wide receivers to the Giants in my previous mock drafts, so let’s switch gears and go with another position they could target. They could use a player to challenge Aaron Robinson and Cor’Dale Flott on the other side of Adoree’ Jackson. Turner is a hot name in the league right now, largely because scouts and execs went back to the tape after his 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the combine. That was the fourth-fastest time at the combine since 2003. He’s in the first-round discussion now.""

Mel Kiper Jr.

This might be the first time we've seen Turner mentioned as a possibility for the Giants at No. 25 overall. As Kiper noted, Turner has seen his stock rise after he was brilliant at the NFL Combine, with his showing impressing several general managers across the league.

As bad as the G-Men might want a star WR1 for the future, a cornerback must be a focus early on in the draft as well. The same can be said for a new center.

Turner checks in at 6-0, 180 pounds. This past season for the Wolverines, the defensive back posted 36 total tackles, 10 pass deflections and one interception. Who knows, he could be starting for the Giants down the road. That's what Kiper thinks might happen.

READ MORE: 4 NY Giants who could get cut after the NFL Draft