If you follow NFL Mock Drafts this time of year, and I know you do otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this, you’ll know that people are all over the place with the New York Giants and their pick at No. 10. I’ve seen everything from Vernon Hargreaves III to Laquon Treadwell, but I’m sticking with my board and the Giants’ need, which is definitely on the defensive side of the ball.
To see every team’s Perfect Mock Draft click here.
Round 1, Pick 10 – Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
2015: 66 tackles, 11 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-1, 232 pounds
Lee was already due to make an NFL roster and be taken in the top two rounds of the NFL draft, then he reeled off a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and fattened up his bank account considerably. Lee is a multipurpose weapon on defense who can rush the passer, stop the run and cover running backs and tight ends.
Round 2, Pick 40 – Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
2015: 63 tackles, 22.5 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 6-foot-2, 251 pounds
Spence had some off-the-field issues that cost him a roster spot at Oregon and had him playing at FCS Eastern Kentucky. To Spence’s credit, he dominated at that level, but there are a few other red flags beside his past troubles that I think will put him in the second round. His 4.80 40-yard dash, for his size, was underwhelming and he’s built more like a linebacker than a defensive end. That might be where he ends up as a pro.
Round 3, Pick 71 – Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State
2015: Started 25 consecutive games, second-team all-conference, 6-foot-3, 298 pounds
The Giants have spent tons of money in free agency, but the one place they haven’t addressed so far is the offensive line. Westerman slides right into the rotation as a rookie and may be able to step in as a starter by the end of the season.
Round 4, Pick 109 – Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA
2015: 78 catches, 1,105 yards, five touchdowns, 6-foot-1, 207 pounds
Payton was supposed to be a possession receiver and played that role very well for the Bruins, snatching passes for first downs and averaging 14.2 yards per catch over the last two seasons. What people outside UCLA didn’t know was he had flatline speed too, but they were clued in at the NFL Combine when he laid down a 4.47 40-yard dash and then added a 34.5-inch vertical jump to go along with it. The Giants do need a receiver, but this a deep (albeit historically slow) class. Payton is not one of the slow problems and can work his way into action early, especially if Victor Cruz needs to miss more time.
Round 5, Pick 149 – Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois
2015: 129 carries, 708 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, three touchdowns, 37 catches, 280 yards, two touchdowns, 5-foot-9, 198 pounds
This is a draft in speedy, weaponized running backs and Ferguson just happens to fall the Giants here in the fifth round. Ferguson was slowed by nagging injuries this season, costing him at least four games’ action that would have easily put him over 1,000 yards. The Giants are searching for a true, starting running back and Ferguson probably isn’t it. Still, he’ll be a contributor and playmaker, especially on special teams. He was Illinois’ kick returner his sophomore season.
Round 6, Pick 184 – Justin Simmons, Safety, Boston College
2015: 67 tackles, one for a loss, five interceptions, one pass defended, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-3, 201 pounds
Simmons has started at both free safety and cornerback for Boston College over the last couple of seasons and excelled in both roles. He could do either for the Giants and seems to be a guy that’s kind of fallen through the cracks. Putting up those numbers in the ACC should be worth more when it comes to the NFL draft, so his seventh-round grade is a puzzler. Trust though that the NFL teams may see things differently than the scouts.
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