For New York Giants fans as well as others, this period of time is rich with material to root for. Yet, for 30 NFL teams, the season has ended prematurely and with disappointment. With some envy we will watch the Kansas City Chiefs play the San Franscico 49ers this Sunday in the Super Bowl. Most of us are already turning our thoughts and attention to the upcoming draft which starts April 25th. We wonder what players are available in the draft and will offer our team the best chance to play in the Super Bowl next year.
The participants in the Senior Bowl this past weekend in Mobile, Alabama serve as a polestar of potential prospects for our teams. Our research commences and ideas ensue. No matter how specious, speculative or even misguided our ideas may be in regards to collegiate prospects, we treasure our thoughts and hold them closely. We believe that we have uncovered the next great player to help our team to the Super Bowl. We hold our beliefs to be clear and therefore need to voice them loudly and with a clarion voice. That being all said, these are my views on the New York Giants as of today:
New York Giants: Difficulties in the 6th Spot
With the sixth pick in the draft, the Giants are in a morass. Too far back to take top quarterback prospect such as Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, yet they are not in a position to draft a right offensive tackle. Prospects such as Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma or Taliese Fugua from Oregon State figure to drop into the middle of the first round. One option for the Giants is to regroup and get out of the sixth position spot. Trading down in the first-round is a viable option. Amarius Mims out of Georgia, is a right tackle prospect, that I have been following. Closing the talent gap can happen in several different ways
Mims stands out with terrific footwork. One doesn’t realize that he is 6’7” 340 pounds. I have been spoiled in watching him, as the current Giant right tackle has poor footwork, bends at the waist, and is too often out of position. A drawback in watching Mims is that he was injured for almost half of this season with various ailments. While none of the injuries were serious, one has to proceed with caution in the evaluation process. If drafted by the Giants, Mims would be an immediate upgrade to the Giant offensive line.
Considering a Quarterback
Could the Giants take a quarterback? Of course. But one has to be mindful that Daniel Jones has been hit and battered to often in his brief Giant career; the Andre Luck conversations are inevitable. Luck called an end to his career prematurely stating that his body could no longer take the punishment. The Giant offensive line this past year gave up 85 sacks, the most by any team in almost 40 years. Can any quarterback take such punishment?
If the New York franchise believe that it is time to move on from Jones, I adore Drake Maye’s arm. Yes, he has only played two years of college ball, and yes, he really is not a Run-Pass-Option (RPO). And yes, in some respects his play this past year declined from the previous year. And yes, the Giants would probably have to trade up to get Maye. With all these negatives, Maye is the apple of my eye. Speaks volumes for the rest of the quarterback prospects.
Considerations other than a Quarterback
If the Giants stayed in the sixth spot, a wide receiver is a consideration. Consider what Howie Roseman in Philadelphia and John Lynch in San Franscico have done. Just put offensive talent around the quarterback to help lift his game. Rome Odunze is a wide receiver prospect out of Washington. At 6’3” 215, he benefitted from playing in a pass heavy offense that featured quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. With 4.34 speed, Odunze can be slotted at the WR1 spot.
Odunze was used in multiple ways in college, and can line up in almost any receiving configuration. Averaging almost 18 yards a catch he is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. The Giants currently don’t have that.
I sit here besides by only candle. So little light to see the way. Perhaps tomorrow my vision will improve and more light will be cast on this subject.
Barry Schustermann
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