The NFL Draft: On The Clock, New York Football Giants

New York Giants

Pick: #10

Top Needs:  DE (4-3), FS, CB, OT, WR, ILB

Top Targets:  Shaq Lawson, Kevin Dodd, Ronnie Stanley, Laquon Treadwell, Ezekiel Elliott

Off The Board:  

PickTeamPlayer, POSSchoolComments1Tennessee TitansLaremy Tunsil,   OTOle MissA shut down corner to protect franchise QB Marcus Mariota. 2Cleveland BrownsJared Goff, QBCaliforniaThe Browns finally find an answer to stop the QB merry go-round of the last 20 years.3San Diego ChargersJalen Ramsey, DBFlorida StateWhether he plays cornerback or safety, the Chargers get one of the best players in the draft.4Dallas CowboysJoey Bosa, DL Ohio StateThe Cowboys shore up their defensive line, and find QB, LB and DB help later in the draft. 5Jacksonville Jaguars Vernon Hargreaves, CBFloridaThe Jaguars get a shutdown corner in the first round, find solutions in the front seven in free agency and the rest of the draft.6Baltimore RavensMyles Jack, SS/LBUCLAThe Ravens leap to draft an elite defensive talent, and possibly draft a future star.7San Francisco 49ersCarson Wentz, QBNorth Dakota StateKap forces the teams hand and they take a potential future starting QB to truly start a new era.8Miami DolphinsMackensie Alexander, CB ClemsonMiami plugs its biggest hole,  but with a player who does have some questions.9Tampa Bay BuccaneersDeForest Buckner, DLOregonBuckner could easily go earlier, but he's too talented to fall any farther than this.10New York Giants???

There is just a consistent trend that every team needs help on the defensive line, and every team needs help on the offensive line. I've said it before, I'll say it again - there are like three or four teams in the league that can't use help in both areas.

The New York Giants are not one of their teams. And while they can add another first round tackle here in Ronnie Stanley, to pair across from last year's Erick Flowers, I am not sure that's what will make them better in 2016. They could stay on offense - new coach Ben McAdoo is an offensive coach after all. Could they draft Laquon Treadwell to pair with Odell Beckham, Jr.? I can't believe that's not tempting to McAdoo. And I think this is a place where teams will seriously start thinking about Zeke Elliott. In truth, a number of teams that have already drafted could use a potential eight-to-ten year starter at RB who resembles a young Frank Gore. Who couldn't?

It's tempting - I'd like to see Elliott in New York, rounding out that offense. But...it's not like the team doesn't have big needs on defense.

The story of what happened to Jason Pierre-Paul will make for an interesting premise for a bad movie someday, but right now it's just a stunning display of a guy literally blowing up his career. He cannot tackle (having 7 1/2 fingers does make it tough) and isn't the answer at DE. Their depth is poor across that position, so they're definitely going to be looking at Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson, who coincidentally played college football together at Clemson. Lawson has a longer pedigree but both project as very solid pass rushing ends, and Dodd perhaps is more of a fit for a 4-3. If they want to instead focus on the interior of the line, A'Shawn Robinson comes into play.

This comes down to a strategy decision -- there are definitely players at WR and RB who will be there in the second round to help New York. The same absolutely goes for DL, one of the deepest positions in the draft. Does the team go for Best Player Available? It's hard to believe that Zeke Elliott isn't at or close to the top of any teams boards down at pick 10.

If you're the Giants, what do you do?

THE PICK: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

I'm not sure this is the smartest move, but I think the fact that there is such depth at DL, and it's just maybe time to pounce on a three-down starting RB. He seems perfect for what the New York offense wants to do, expands the offense in a way that Andre Williams, Shane Vereen and Rashad Jennings couldn't do together.

Elliott is big and fast, and runs both aggressively and elusively. I saw a few Ohio State games this year and it is hard not to see his skill and how it translates to the NFL. There's no reason to think he's not going to be really, really good. The NFL.com projection? Edgerrin James. OK, then. I'd like a piece of that.

It's a bold move, but hey, it's New York and it shouldn't take too much to compete in the NFC East. Think about how a complete RB changes an offense. It opens up the passing game even more and helps with clock management (something the Giants could certainly use help with).

Next up, the Chicago Bears.