New York Giants Draft
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What is the 2018 NFL Draft Plan For the New York Giants?  

A new era in New York Giants football has commenced!  Big Blue looks to reshape its image and bounce back from a 3-13 campaign.  A season that marked an end to the Jerry Reese tenure. One year ago it would have been hard to imagine that the Giants would have been picking in the top 5 of the 2018 Draft.  Their are a ton of issues with ranging from depth and a lack of leadership.  The New York Giants currently holds the pivotal #2 overall pick in the upcoming draft and there are plenty of directions the team could pursue.

As an organization – a number of directions the team could pursue.  So far here is what we do know –  GM Dave Gettleman has freeed up cap space.  He has also trading for LB Alec Ogletree, and acquiring the following free agents:

LT Nate Solder – 4 years – 62 Million
OG Patrick Omameh – 3 years – 15 Million
DL/EDGE Kareem Martin – 3 years – 15 Million
RB Jonathan Stewart – 2 years – 6.9 Million
FS – Michael Thomas – 2 years – 4 Million
WR Cody Latimer– 1 year – 2.5 Million
DB William Gay – 1 year – 1.01 Million
DL Josh Mauro – 1 year – 880 Thousand
CB Teddy Williams – 1 year – 880 Thousand
CB B.W. Webb – 1 year – 815 Thousand

While the Giants signed big contributors, they let go players such as QB Geno Smith, RB Orleans Darkwa, RB Shane Vereen, OL Justin Pugh, OG DJ Fluker, OC Weston Richburg, EDGE Jason Pierre Paul, DT Jay Bromley, OLB Devon Kennard, LB Keenan Robinson, LB Jonathan Casillas, LB Kelvin Sheppard, CB Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, and CB Ross Cockrell.

Before moving on, lets outline expiring contracts over the next two seasons. It is common practice for teams to draft replacements of players that are not part of long term solutions. 

2019 Free Agents  

Odell Beckham Jr 
Brandon Marshall
Cody Latimer
Nick Becton
John Jerry
John Greco
Brett Jones
Kerry Wynn
Josh Mauro
Mark Herzlich
Ray-Ray Armstrong
B.W. Webb
Teddy Williams
Landon Collins
Zak DeOssie

2020 Free Agents

Eli Manning
Paul Perkins
Jonathan Stewart
Sterling Shepard
Jerell Adams
Ereck Flowers
Thurston Armbrister
B.J. Goodson
Michael Thomas
Darian Thompson

With the above outline in place – here are the needs and potential fits on draft day, for the New York Football Giants.

Defensive Backfield – 2018 New York Giants Draft Plan  

Big Blue’s secondary was an absolute mess last season. The unit turned on coach McAdoo and played a role in his departure. Pat Shurmur hired Defensive Cordinator James Bettcher and Secondary Coach Lou Anarumo to re-shape the unit.   

Bettcher’s system is one in which he likes to bring pressure by relying on man coverage.  Man coverage with little to no help fro safeties.  Hard to bring consistent preasure if you do not have reliable defensive backs.  Adding cornerbacks early and often is not a bad 2018 New York Giants Draft Strategy.   

Potential Day 1 Picks:  Jaire Alexander (Louisville)    

Possible Day 2 Picks:  Mike Hughes (UCF), Isaiah Oliver (Colorado), Carlton Davis (Auburn), Duke Dawson (Florida)  

Reasonable Day 3 Picks: Holton Hill (Texas), Davontae Harris (Illinois State), Dane Cruikshank (Arizona), Kevin Toliver (LSU), JC Jackson (Maryland), Brandon Facyson (Virginia Tech)   

Offensive Line – 2018 New York Giants Draft Plan 

The entire unit could use a Tosh.O type reboot. Gettleman has already started on this by bringing in Omameh and Solder, while letting Pugh, Fluker, and Richburg walk.  Ereck Flowers was deplorable as a top 10 pick playing left tackle and will try to transition to the right side. As of now at guard, John Jerry and Patrick Omameh are slated to start. 

Potential Day 1 Picks: Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame), Isaiah Wynn (Georgia), Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame), Connor Williams (Texas)      

Possible Day 2 Picks: Will Hernandez (UTEP), Austin Corbett (Nevada), Billy Price (Ohio State), Tyrell Crosby (Oregon), Alex Cappa (Humboldt State), Jamarco Jones (Ohio State)

Reasonable Day 3 Picks: Brandon Parker (NC A&T), Wyatt Teller (Virginia Tech), Greg Senat (Wagner), Geron Christian (Louisville), Mason Cole (Michigan), Colby Gossett (Appalachian State)  

Pass Rushers – 2018 New York Giants Draft Plan 

The New York Giants are two off-seasons removed from Oliver Vernon and Jason Pierre Paul signing multi million dollar deals. The latter played around 90% of the defensive snaps and lead the team in sacks during the 2017. He has since been traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which leaves a huge void in a Giants defense.  A defense that will be adopting a 3-4 look. Avery Moss, 2017 5th round pick from Youngstown State, and Romeo Okwara provide depth behind Vernon.  This is a concern and should lead to Dave Gettleman addressing the EDGE position.

Potential Day 1 Picks: Bradley Chubb (NC State)       

Possible Day 2 Picks: Lorenzo Carter (Georgia), Sam Hubbard (Ohio State), Duke Ejiofor (Wake Forest), Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma), Josh Sweat (Florida State)  

Reasonalble Day 3 Picks: Kemoko Turay (Rutgers), Ade Aruna (Tulane), Leon Jacobs (Wisconsin), Dorance Armstrong (Kansas), Breeland Speaks (Ole Miss), Tyquan Lewis (Ohio State)  

Linebackers – 2018 New York Giants Draft Plan 

The New York Giants did not retain OLB Devon Kennard, LB Keenan Robinson, LB Jonathan Casillas, and LB Kelvin Sheppard.   They were able to acquire Alec Ogletree from the Los Angeles Rams.  This would lead one to believe he would start alongside often injured BJ Goodson in Nickel and Base personal.  After the defense ranked second in the league in rushing yards per game in 2016, the Giants fell to 26th, despite having one of the best run stuffing tandems in the league up front (Harrison/Tomlinson). In the past the linebacker position has been ignored and could be addressed in 2018.  

Potential Day 1 Picks: Roquan Smith (Georgia), Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech), Rashaan Evans (Alabama)    

Possible Day 2 Picks: Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State), Fred Warner (BYU), Skai Moore (South Carolina), Genard Avery (Memphis),) Darius Leonard (South Carolina State)

Reasonable Day 3 Picks: Josey Jewell (Iowa), Dorian O’Daniel (Clemson), Shaquem Griffin (UCF), Tegray Scales (Indiana), Christian Sam (Arizona State), Jack Cichy (Wisconsin)   

Quarterback – 2018 New York Giants Draft Plan 

Do we need to spend a ton of time on this one.  New York Giant fans LOVE Eli.  His name will echo within the walls of Giants lore FOREVER!  With that said… he is 37 years old.  

Potential Day 1 Picks: Sam Darnold (USC), Josh Rosen (UCLA), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Lamar Jackson (Louisville), Josh Allen (Wyoming)       

Possible Day 2 Picks: Kyle Lauletta (Richmond), Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State)   

Reasonable Day 3 Picks: Chase Litton (Marshall), Nic Shimonek (Texas Tech), Logan Woodside (Toledo), Mike White (Western Kentucky), Kurt Benkert (Virginia), J.T. Barrett (Ohio State)  

Comment below on your thoughts on who the New York Giants should pick up with the #2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.  Also, playing the 2018 NFL Draft Tournament on StatementGames?  (A different take on Fantasy Football) The organization will send you $1,000 if you can go 10 For 10 with your picks!  

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