Anyway, if he turns out to be an impact player this could mean the end of Barry Cofield in blue. Cofield has been a real rock on the defensive line and if he does depart New York he will be missed but the Giants are smart to get ready for it with the best talent available when they made their pick.

I’m a big fan of drafting corners in the first round because you rarely find good ones via free agency. If you do, they often break the bank. So the position is solid. And the player?

The guys on NFL Network love the pick. They’re calling him a top 10 talent and the best value pick. So we get value at an impact position that you pretty much have to draft? Sounds pretty good.

Prince Amukamara wore #21 for Nebraska. What number will he wear for the Giants?

Some youtube videos, the flattering:

The NOT so flattering:

Interesting to speculate on who is left for the Giants but mock drafts and experts always lose a lot of accuracy after the first few picks so we should start seeing more “suprises”.

How the Giants picks rated on the Cowboys draft board. 1st number is round, second is spot in that round.

Jason Pierre-Paul – Ranked 1-16
Linval Joseph – Ranked 4-13
Chad Jones – Ranked 3-8
Phillip Dillard – Unlisted (could be one owe can’t see)
Mitch Petrus – 4-18
Adrian Tracy and Mitch Dodge are not shown

The only big discrepancy here seems to be Linval Joseph. Let’s hope we’re right and they’re wrong!

LB Phillip Dillard (Nebraska). Reese and Ross say he will compete for the MIKE spot. 6′ and 245 pounds and they say he is instinctive and can cover. Interestingly the Giants talked about him in the 3rd:

We actually talked about him at three (third round) and there was some good discussion about it. We thought there was a chance that he’d be available and that Chad wouldn’t be, so we decided to go that route and hold our breath, and we got him. It was a restless night’s sleep but it was worth it.

It sounds like this guy is a real student of the game, hopefully enough to QB the defense.

OG Mitch Petrus (Arkansas) repped 225 45 times at the combine but is considered (according to some scouting reporsts) more of a finesses player than a mauler. Jerry Reese used the term vicious – sounds like the Giants see him as more of a mauler than a finesse guy. He is said to be a good puller, good at blocking guys on the second level.

LB Adrian Tracy (William & Mary) is going to convert from DE where he played in college to SAM. The Giants seem to see him as a pass rusher first, which sounds a lot like Sintim to me. Reese compared him to Reggie Torbor but let’s hope Reese is right that this guy can be better.

P Matt Dodge (East Carolina) is a pick that might make a lot of Giants fans happy: he can punt and he can kickoff. In 2009 Dodge averaged 45.8 yards per punt (2nd in the nation). 24 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line, 61.6 yards average kickoff with six touchbacks. Not sure how well that speaks of his NFL kickoff potential…

Linval Joseph looks like a run-stuffing nose tackle. He’s listed at 6’6″ and 300 and is strong (39 reps at 225). Reese says he can play anywhere inside including nose tackle or 3 technique and that he’s a run stuffer who can push the pocket. But it sounds like Joseph would be the nose while Canty would be the three.

As for safety Chad Jones, at 6’3” and 230 pounds he is big for his position. Almost linebacker size! Like the Giants first round pick, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jones came out after his junior year and doesn’t have a tone of experience. Also like Pierre-Paul, he’s considered a top-notch athlete (though he’s a pitcher instead of a back flipper) who turned down an offer from the Astros. Despite his size, Jones can cover; he played corner for LSU in 2007. The concern is he ran slower than expected prior to the draft. I say screw his 40 time and let’s see if he is fast in pads. And he was still 4.5something at his pro day.

And we still saw a lot of familiar names around at 15. Dan Williams, Sean Witherspoon, Derrick Morgan, Jason Pierre-Paul, Mike Iupati… I had a feeling it would be Morgan (seems like the BPA) or none of the above and a total shock.

Jason Pierre-Paul was a bit of a surprise. Maybe there’s something we don’t know about Morgan? At 6’5″ and 270 he has protypical DE size and since Kiwi hasn’t proven to be much of a pass rusher (yet) and since Osi has to prove himself (again) DE could be considered a position of need I guess. You’d have to think though that if they had Dan Williams graded equally they’d have taken him – Without Robbins, there’s an obvious roster spot for a DT…

And I as I write this, Derrick Morgan goes tot he Tians at #16. Something tells me we’ll be trying to compare these guys for a long time.

1) Brian Price, DT
2) Chad Jones, S
3) Anthony Dixon, RB
4) Sean Lee, MLB

I think the positions make sense, but maybe a little too much sense. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Giants pick the same positions we fans think they need most in the early rounds.

Clearly the Giants biggest position of need. Sure we all know someone saying Braylon Edwards would be better than an unproven rookie. And if you don’t consider the salary cap those people are correct. I have no problem with the pick even if Nicks doesn’t beat out Hixon, Smith, Tyree, Moss, or Manningham. Yeah the Giants have a bunch of unproven guys or #2-#3 guys but Edwards wasn’t ahppening and the Giants did the next best thing – they drafted the most NFL ready receiver with upside available at 29. And they didn’t reach.

2nd Round: LB Clint Sintim, Virginia

Says he’ll play SAM for the Giants. Should be able to contribute immediately on the pass rush and on special teams. Has a chance to become an exceptional starter thanks to his good size and ability to defend the run. There are concerns about his coverage skills but the Giants expect him to be bale to drop back into coverage. Who am I to argue?

2nd Round: LT William Beatty, Connecticut

Reese said he was the most athletic tackle in the draft and that he’ll have no pressure to play right away. In other words, he’s a project. Round 2 is a bit early to be drafting projects, unless the guy becomes an elite left tackle in 2 years. Then this pick will be pure genius.

3rd Round: WR Ramses Barden, Cal Poly

A 6’6″, 230 pound receiver but no replacement for Plax. More of a possession guy then a stretch the field guy because he’s probably not much faster (4.6 40) than any of the NFL competition. But he can catch and he’s big. Can he be a special red zone threat? I like his chances so I like the pick. Obviously the Giants thought he was worth giving up a 5th rounder to move up for.

3rd Round: TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin

At 6’3″. 243, this guy is a smaller tight end not known for his blocking. However, blocking can sometimes be coached. He’s a pretty polished receiving threat. Reese says he will play H-back and will be expected to do some blocking but you get the feeling this guy is here to abuse linebackers in coverage. sounds exciting to watch so I really like the pick.

4th Round: HB Andre Brown, North Carolina State

Reese says this guy reminds him of Derrick Ward. He reminds me of Rodney Hampton. Good speed and tough so he can move the pile. Coughlin calls him a slasher which is what I remember they used to call Tiki the first time I saw him come in for Hampton. Who knows what he is from a highlight reel and a few quotes? Hopefully he’s a good running back.

5th Round: QB Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State

Reese calls this a value pick and says Andre Woodson is not being shoved out the door. I guess competition is good and if the scouts say this guy was BPA then so be it. Certainly I’d rather have seen a safety but…

6th Round: CB DeAndre Wright, New Mexico
7th Round: CB Stoney Case, South Carolina

Two corners I’ve never heard of to be honest. Coughlin says they are corners so the Giants still don’t have a 4th safety. I know 3 on the roster is enough, but that means there is no competition for the 3 guys we have now and an injury leaves us pretty screwed. Both guys are 5’11″ and close to 200. I can’t help but think that they won’t be on the team unless one switches to safety or becomes a special teams ace. But coach says they are corners so what do I know?