By Mytee
ROUND 1 (Pick 23):
Ryan Ramczk, OL, Wisconsin
One scout was shocked to see this former UW-Stevens Point LT play so well in his Badgers debut against Louisiana State at Lambeau Field. “LSU has edge guys and I was saying, ‘Who the heck is the left tackle?’ ” he said. “He stood out. He matches up with people stride-for-stride athletically.” Underwent hip surgery in January. Arms measured just 33¾ inches but hands were immense (10 7/8). “Balanced and strong and steady,” said a second scout. “He goes 15 to 25. He’ll be fine.” Aggressive run blocker. “You’re just betting a lot on this guy who in one year worked his way into being a productive blocker toward the end of the year,” said a third scout. “He just comes out of nowhere, he plays, now he’s hurt and he can’t work. Lot of red flags for me. I hope they take him early.”
How he fits: The Giants struggled to protect Eli Manning last year and struggled mightily running the ball and the play of Erik Flowers had a lot to do with it. The Giants need to upgrade their offensive tackles and Ryan Ramczk is the best in a weak class. However, getting the highest rated offensive tackle in the draft at 23 is a bit of a coup.
Garett Bolles – OT, Utah
Bounced around from high school to high school, played in junior college and spent just one season at Utah. “Checkered past,” said one scout. “He’s the most talented of all of them (tackles). Really athletic and tough. Plays hard. He’s got to get stronger.” Will be 25 as a rookie. “He’s more of a traditional mauler,” said another scout. “He’s athletically gifted and plays the game dirty tough. He is an LDS Mormon guy that’s kind of recaptured his life. He ran with gangs earlier in his life. He’s pretty good.” Arms were 34, hands just 9 3/8.
How he fits: Similar to Ryan Ramczk, many consider Bolles to be one of the best offensive tackles in the draft. Bolles or Ramczk, whichever is available and highest on Reese’s board, would give the Giants a much-needed tackle that can play at the highest level. Potential guard candidates Forrest Lamp and Cam Robinson will also be evaluated but the Giants offensive line needs start on the ends.
Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State 6-6, 295lbs
Physical specimen with 34¾ arms and 10½ hands. “It won’t be because of lack of talent,” said one scout. “Good feet. Flashes twitch. Going to need lots of work, though.” Departed after disappointing junior season in which he had 1½ sacks in nine games. Played a lot inside but was more productive outside. “He does have a takeoff when they move him on the edge and he can up field,” another scout said. “Talented but inconsistent. I question his toughness, shed, instincts. I’m scared because he doesn’t play hard. High opinion of himself. They question if he loves football.”
How he fits: The Giants defensive line got a big boost by acquiring Snacks Harrison in free agency last year. He helped solidify the Giants run defense. It is well documented how much priority Reese and the Giants place on the defensive line, they won two Super Bowls because of their dominant defensive lines. The Giants currently need a penetrating three tech to add to their pass rush and McDowell fits that bill. Concerns of his motor should quite down with the strong locker room leadership the Giants have.
Zack Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt 6-3, 234lbs
Started 27 of 36 games over three seasons. “He’s pretty (expletive) good but it’s not even close to (Reuben) Foster,” one scout said. “He’s a modern-day linebacker. He goes sideline to sideline. Led the SEC in tackles. Tough, very athletic.” Arms were 34 3/8. “He’s either a long-levered ‘sam’ backer on the line, kind of that Scott Fujita role, or he’s an inside guy,” a second scout said. “Solid, productive football player. I don’t see the dynamic play. I guess K.J. Wright was a lot like that coming out (Mississippi State, 2011). If it’s third and 8 and you’ve got to get off the field, (Cunningham) is not the guy to make that play consistently.”
How he fits: The Giants have ignored the linebacker spot as much as they have shown attention to the defensive line. The Giants defense played very well last year but if there’s a weakness, it’s the linebacking corp. Zack Cunningham could step right in and start and give the Giants the athleticism in the middle of their defense they’ve lacked for years.
David Njoku, TE, Miami 6-4, 246lbs
Renounced his final two years of eligibility. “It was a little bit surprising,” said one scout. “Very smart kid with a goofy personality but no issues off the field. In high school he was a 7-1 high jumper. Really good athlete and run after the catch.” Arms measured 35¼ at the combine. Started nine of 26 games. “I don’t know how you can take an unproductive backup guy from an average team in the first or second round,” a second scout said. “He’s going to blow the combine out and he’s a track guy. As far as a football player, he is a long ways away.” Ran 4.67 with a vertical jump of 37 1/2.
How he fits: Similar to linebacker, the Giants just do not seem to care about their tight ends. With a Quarterback entering the twilight of his career and with three solid playmaking receivers, the addition of a good tight end would seemingly take this offense to the next level. There is a lot of depth at TE in this draft and the Giants could use all the help there they can get.
Other potential picks: Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Derrek Bennet, Cam Robinson
ROUND 2 (Pick 55):
Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan, 6-5, 319lbs
Four-year starter for ascending Western Michigan program. Size and potential to dominate at the point of attack with pure power should make him a coveted right guard prospect. He can be a little stiff in his movements and his footwork needs plenty of work, but he’s functional in both areas. Might need additional work before he is ready to take on the wily, athletic defensive tackles in the NFL, but his physical traits and power give him a chance to become a reliable NFL starter.
How he fits: If the Giants go elsewhere with their first-round pick, Taylor Moton could be a possibility later in the draft. Projected as a second or third-round pick, Moton possesses the versatility to be an elite blocker on the offensive line. His ability to play inside or outside could intrigue Big Blue, which will likely experiment with new line combinations once camp opens in August.
Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan: 6-5, 298lbs
Three-year starter who brings leadership and high character into the locker room. Wormley’s size and athleticism could appeal to teams that favor big, strong base ends who can set a physical edge and then bump inside as pass rushers. Wormley could be coaxed into a more sophisticated pass-rush approach with coaching, but he’s not there yet. His size, athleticism and versatility gives him a chance to earn early playing time and to become an eventual starter.
How he fits: Would add an interior pass rush presence to the Giants defensive line. Paired with Snacks Harrison and with Vernon and JPP on the outside, Chris Wormley would fit right in as the 3-tech along the big blue defensive front.
Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida: 6-1, 238lbs
Missed four games with an ankle injury in an oft-injured career. “I don’t see how he gets out of the first (round),” said one scout. “Too fast, too athletic, too good of a player over his career there.” Arms were 33 1/2. Wonderlic of 21. “He can run and he’s rangy,” another scout said. “He’s got great leadership intangibles. Now he’s often-injured, too. He’s got to go first round.”
How he fits: His position may cause him to stick around longer than many expect. This would be a coup for the Giants in the 2nd round and help add much needed athleticism to their linebacking corp. Watch any Florida tape and you’ll be hard pressed not to walk away impressed with Davis.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee: 5-10, 214lbs
Redshirted at Alabama and spent time in junior college before starting eight of 24 games for Volunteers. “He can do it all,” said one scout. “He’s quick. Got good balance and vision. Catches the ball extremely well out of the backfield. Just hasn’t been a lead dog.” Ran 4.56 with a vertical jump of 39½. “When Jalen (Hurd) went down (in 2016) he had a chance to step up and be that guy and you just never saw it,” another scout said. “He’s not really a between-the-tackles, wear-you-down, take-the-bull-by-the-horns guy. He needs to get out in space. He can be a good player in a niche role.”
How he fits: The Giants like what they have in Paul Perkins and Shane Vereen as a passing down back. However, any team that finishes 29th in the league in rushing cannot be contempt with the backs on the roster. Sure, the line and play design had much to do with the lack of production from the ground game, but the Giants still need an elite back to lean on. Kamara may be there for the Giants at 55 and they should seriously consider him. I’m not sure the Giants would have Joe Mixon on their draft board.
Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama 6-3, 239lbs
It’s difficult to find a good comparison for Everett because his size and toughness are similar to Marshall’s coming out, but his playing style resembles Delanie Walker at times. Everett has size, speed and tremendous run-after-catch potential, but it is his willingness and ability to block that separates him from other “matchup” tight ends. Route running is below average, but he should improve with NFL coaching. Everett has the talent to become a very good NFL starter with Pro Bowl potential if he puts it all together.
How he fits: “Them adding another threat to the team, like myself, would help a lot,” said Everett, who caught 49 passes for 717 yards and four touchdowns last season. “That offense would be sick, man. They’re kind of missing that big-body guy. I know their coach is an offensive-minded coach. If they pull the trigger on me, we can be pretty successful. “Everett would give the Giants arguably their most talented tight end since Jeremy Shockey, who last played for the team in 2007. He stands 6-3 and weighs 227 pounds. He ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash. In three collegiate seasons, he caught 107 passes for 1,584 yards and 13 touchdowns. Everett said he views himself as a Jordan Reed, Shannon Sharpe-type player.
