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Dave Gettleman has been talking about "Hog Mollies" for years, and he promised to rebuild the Giants' offensive line on his first day as general manager nearly 2 1/2 years ago. Yet in his two drafts, he's only selected two offensive linemen -- only one above the seventh round, and none in the first.
There's a good chance that's about to change, with many believing the Giants will select the top offensive tackle on their board in the first round of the NFL draft on April 23.
But what if they don't? Here's how that might go, in the latest version of my Giants seven-round mock draft...
First round (4th overall) - Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons
The best defensive player in the draft is Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young, but there seems to be little-to-no chance he ends up with the Giants. Either the Redskins are taking him at No. 2, or the Lions are taking him at No.3. It would likely take two big trades (and possibly two big mistakes) to see him sliding to No. 4.
And that leads to the 6-4, 238-pound Simmons, who has the speed of a wide receiver (4.39), the flexibility to line up as an edge rusher, an inside linebacker, a safety, or a cornerback. He may not be the prototypical pass rusher that the Giants need, but he's a dangerous defensive weapon nonetheless. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham could find a ton of ways to deploy him, and he'd instantly make the Giants defense better.
Some think that versatility hurts him, asking how a team could draft him in the Top 5 if he doesn't have a defined position. But if the Giants don't take a tackle, they'll figure out where to play Simmons. They could line him up anywhere except for defensive line and he'd immediately be one of the best defensive players they've had in years.
Second round (36th overall) - Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson
If the Giants don't take a tackle in the first round, bet the house they'll take one in the second. This is a problem, though, because there could be seven off the board in the first round, and maybe another one or two gone in the first pick or two of the second round. They might get a shot at someone like Boise State's Ezra Cleveland (though his stock seems to be rising), or even Houston's Josh Jones if he unexpectedly falls. But most likely, at least eight tackles will be gone.
Which leaves them with the 6-6, 350-pound Wilson, the lesser of the two Georgia tackles, but still a very good one. He's not as refined as Andrew Thomas, but he was good enough that he would've replaced Thomas as the Bulldogs' left tackle had he stayed in school. Some scouts think he could've used the extra year, but his size and potential make him a starter of the future, which is exactly what the Giants need.
Third round (99th overall) - Wisconsin C Tyler Biadasz
Drafting Simmons in Round 1 basically pushes their other priorities down a notch, so instead of grabbing one of the top centers early in Round 2, they'll have to wait until Round 3. And as long as there's no real run on centers before then, the 6-4, 314-pound Biadasz could still be in reach.
He's not an overwhelming prospect, but he's considered to be solid and smart with the potential to be a decent starter. The Giants need help at center, as Gettleman said on Monday. They're not going to know about Jon Halapio's recovery from a torn Achilles until June, which basically leaves them with just Spencer Pulley. So they'll be adding a center in this draft.
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Fourth round (110th overall) - Utah S Terrell Burgess
The Giants are looking for a safety with good awareness and a nose for the ball to team with the tough Jabrill Peppers on the back end of their defense, and this 5-11, 202-pounder could be an upgrade over Julian Love. He's got good speed (4.46) and scouts say he's got good field awareness, both in his nose for the ball and deciphering where runners and receivers are going. He's a former cornerback, too, so he could immediately be useful in nickel or dime packages.
Fifth round (150th overall) - Pitt CB Dane Jackson
After signing James Bradberry in free agency and drafting DeAndre Baker in the first round last year, corner isn't a huge need. But the jury is really still out on Sam Beal and Corey Ballentine, so bringing in competition would seem necessary.
The 6-foot, 187-pound Jackson is a physical corner with good speed (4.57). Some scouts don't think he's quick enough to play the slot or stick with the really fast NFL receivers. But he's got a nose for the football which will help his development and he'll definitely have a shot to compete for a job.
Sixth round (183rd overall) - Alabama DE/LB Anfernee Jennings
The Giants don't have a strong pass rush, and they're not going to go after any of the big names available, like Jadeveon Clowney or Yannick Ngakoue. That leaves them with the draft, where they will absolutely be on the lookout for help -- help they're not likely to find early. But if they wait, they could get some interesting value on Day 3 in the 6-2, 256-pound Jennings.
He's not a classic edge rusher, and some think he'll eventually play inside. But he's got some potential. He also eased some concerns about a knee injury by participating in the Senior Bowl. One big thing in his favor: He was a captain at Alabama, which means Tide coach Nick Saban is going to give a good recommendation to his former protégé -- new Giants head coach Joe Judge.
Seventh round (218th overall) - Texas Tech OT Terence Steele
When Gettleman said he liked the depth in this class of tackles, it was a pretty good indication that he's going to draft one early, and won't stop there. He might even double up earlier than this, but if he waits this long, he'll be lucky to find the 6-6, 312-pound Steele.
He's had weight issues in the past, so that's a concern, though he did fine with that as a four-year starter in college. He needs to develop his technique more, but that's what these late rounds are for -- developmental players.
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Seventh round (238th overall) - Miami WR K.J. Osborn
The Giants certainly have bigger needs than a slot receiver, although they don't have a lot of receiver depth and Golden Tate's future with the team is unclear beyond this year.
Also, the Patriots have lived off speedy, shifty slot receivers for years. So there's potential for this 5-11, 203-pounder with 4.48 speed. He's also a good special teams player and a solid return man, both of which Judge -- an old special teams coach -- will like.
Seventh round (247th overall) - Syracuse DE Kendall Coleman
He's known as a hard worker who plays above his athletic ability, and that's enough for someone to take a shot on him late in the draft. He's 6-3, 257, so his size is good for an edge rusher. He wasn't very productive in college, though, and his 4.95 speed shows he probably lacks the burst to be very effective. There's something there to work with, though, and he could be a good practice squad stash.
Seventh round (255th overall) -- Cincinnati RB Mike Warren
One thing the Patriots were really good at over the last decade was using a committee of running backs in a variety of roles. Granted, the Giants aren't going to diminish Saquon Barkley, and they also just signed Dion Lewis. But there could be specialized roles for others, such as this 5-9, 226-pounder who is known for being a strong inside runner. It could eventually make him a factor on the goal line. He can catch passes out of the backfield, too.