The 2018 NFL Draft is just over a month away, which means that Draftmas is back. Draftmas will take a look at each NFL team heading into the NFL Draft, what their needs are and who they could be targeting. You will find it here. Draftmas will continue with the New York Giants 2018 NFL Draft profile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCFtEi5Km4I&t=1s
Summary
The New York Giants rode into 2017 hoping to repeat playoff runs. New York finished the 2016 season 11-5 with a Wild Card appearance.
Many Giants fans were shocked at the 0-4 start to the 2017 campaign. This was the second and final season under head coach Ben McAdoo. What finalized this was McAdoo’s decision to name backup quarterback, Geno Smith, as the starter during Week 13.
This snapped Eli Manning’s streak of 210 consecutive regular season starts. This move inevitably drew league-wide ire to say the least, especially when one considers Manning’s laundry list of contributions to the organization. The Giants ended their 2017 campaign 3-13.
On offense, the Big Blue averaged only 15.4 points per game and 314.2 yards of total offense per game. On top of that, their running game left no silver linings in this black cloud, averaging just 96.8 yards per game.
Those numbers did not get any better in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. Giants Pro Bowl wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., suffered a fractured left ankle. Furthermore, this injury landed No. 13 on the injured reserve for the rest of the season.
The emergence of rookie tight end, Evan Engram, was a bright spot for the Big Blue. Engram tallied 722 yards on 64 catches, along with six touchdowns.
Defensively, the G-men gave up 24.6 points per game and gave up 373.2 yards per game. Additionally, they ranked in the bottom 10 for rushing and passing yards allowed per game. The only standout from the defensive front was strong safety, Landon Collins. After racking up 104 total tackles and two interceptions, Collins was the lone Giant on last year’s Pro Bowl roster. It was his second Pro Bowl in just three years in the league.
Picks and Needs
The New York Giants have five picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. New York should be able to claim impact players early, along with potential dark horses in later picks.
First round (1 pick): 2
Second round (1): 34
Third round (1): 66, 69
Fourth round (1): 108
Fifth round (1): 139
Sixth round (0)
Seventh round (0)
Offensive needs:
Quarterback – Eli Manning’s days as a quarterback are not infinite. Despite having loads of franchise records to his name, along with two Super Bowl titles, the Big Blue will need to find a dependable successor to their 37-year-old field general.
Running back – The Giants have yet to find a workhorse in the backfield in recent seasons. The recent addition of Jonathan Stewart from the Carolina will improve the picture. But there might not be a lot left in the 31-year-old former Panther.
Offensive line – Although the o-line last year was not terrible, they were not great either. Adding former New England Patriot tackle, Nate Solder, can help bring leadership to this young crew. But in a division full of linemen that are more than formidable, the G-men will need more.
Defensive needs:
Defensive line – The Giants’ defense racked up 27 sacks last season, which was just 29th in the league. In addition, they have allowed almost 2,000 yards on the ground (1,933, sixth most in the league). This, along with Jason-Pierre Paul now being a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, means the defensive line will need more sparks and fury in the lineup.
Targets
These names are the ones the Giants can realistically bring in come draft time.
First round:
Pick No. 2: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
The New York Giants should not go with running back Saquon Barkley if the Browns pass him up. Why? Because someone like Barkley won’t big noise with an offensive line that forced only 1,549 yards on the ground all season is unlikely. Though they are better at pass blocking, they need to grow and mature as a unit.
Even with the addition of Solder, this is a very young offensive line. They still need time to establish their footing. The best interior lineman in the draft, Quenton Nelson, can bring much needed enforcement both in run and pass protection. His frame, strength and technique will be much-needed utility in increasing offensive production. His leadership showcased at Notre Dame can rally up the troops and bring the pain like never before.
Second round:
Pick No. 34: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
Rashaad Penny can be the next big workhorse for the Big Blue, similar to Tiki Barber. With a balance of size and speed, Penny brings a high motor on the ground game. Penny rushed for 2,248 yards and 23 touchdowns last season at San Diego State. Along with being a hard and patient runner, he could also be a surprise weapon on special teams.
Third round:
Pick No. 66: Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis
Though projected as a fifth or sixth-round pick, Riley Ferguson can bring much-needed depth to the thin quarterback roster in New York. He has thrown 70 touchdowns and just 19 interceptions as a Tiger, in just two seasons. He also completed over 63 percent of his passes in both seasons. Ferguson certainly has potential to be a steal in this draft. In addition, his ability to throw on the run is not something to overlook.
Pick No. 69: Derrick Nnadi DT, Florida State
Derrick Nnadi can be a much needed accent for the Giants’ front seven. While a Seminole, he racked 165 total tackles, including 24.5 tackles for loss. He was also on the squad when Florida State won the Orange Bowl in 2016. The NFL has had quite a history of nose tackles at 6-foot-1 doing great under the lights. Given the right coaching and enough progress in off-season training, Nnadi can turn into a force to be reckoned with in the trenches.
Conclusion
The New York Giants will need to put their foot down in the 2018 NFL Draft, furthermore with free agency. With a new head coach and a young crew on board, the G-men will have much work to do for 2018 to avoid repeating the 3-13 result from last season.
Enjoy the days of Draftmas here at The Game Haus! Make sure to tune in tomorrow for the New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Profile.
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Manuel!