Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

Sixteen new players were drafted by the Jets and Giants two weeks ago, and both teams are confident they landed an outstanding class. Of course, it's early and they won't know for sure until training camp begins which of their rookies will be able to immediately help them out.

It's not hard to project, though, based on talent and - perhaps most importantly - opportunity. So here's a look at the 16 members of the Giants and Jets Draft Class of 2019, ranked in the order they're expected to make an impact on New York football this year.

1. Jets DT Quinnen Williams (First Round)

The most talented player drafted by either team, and it might not be close. Believed by some to be the best player in the draft, he'll be a huge part of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' scheme right away. And not only can he impact games with his ability, but the hope is he helps unleash Leonard Williams and any other pass rushers on the Jets, too.

2. Giants CB Deandre Baker (First Round)

The Giants thought he was the best corner in the draft, and many others agree. He's got NFL-ready skills and will step right in as a starter opposite Janoris Jenkins. Figure teams will test him early, rather than throw in Jenkins' direction, so he'll have a chance to make his presence felt.

3. Giants DT Dexter Lawrence (First Round)

A run-stuffing defensive tackle in the middle of the first round sure wasn't an exciting pick, but Giants fans should remember the impact Damon "Snacks" Harrison had on them when he first arrived. Teams won't find it easy to run up the middle on Lawrence, and that will help the outside pass rush, too.

4. Jets LB Jachai Polite (Third Round)

The Jets' biggest need heading into the offseason was an edge rusher and … well, he's it. He's a first-round talent with a lot of character question marks. If he can hold everything together, he'll get a chance to prove he should've gone much higher.

5. Giants CB Julian Love (Fourth Round)

One NFL scout called him "one of the steals of the draft," and the Giants agree. He will get a chance to be the third corner in what could be a fun camp battle against Sam Beal, the Giants' supplemental draft pick from a year ago, who missed his rookie season with a shoulder injury.

6. Jets TE Trevon Wesco (Fourth Round)

As a blocking tight end, he'll be huge for Jets RB Le'Veon Bell, who likes to run to the outside (where the Jets' blocking last season was terrible). But some believe Wesco also has some sneaky receiving skills, and could have a bigger-than-expected impact there, too.

7. Giants WR Darius Slayton (Fifth Round)

He's taller than most of the Giants' receivers (6-foot-1) and he's a burner (4.39 speed), which means the Giants should be able to use him as a deep threat. Not polished enough to be one of the Giants' top three receivers (or one of their top 5 targets), Pat Shurmur will find a way to use him, and you can bank on a few big plays.

8. Giants LB Oshane Ximines (Third Round)

The Giants expect more of an impact out of Ximines than this ranking would suggest, based on the pass-rushing skills he flashed in college. But the jump from Old Dominion to the NFL is huge, and it might take him some time. He'll be a situational pass rusher at first, playing behind Markus Golden, Lorenzo Carter, and Kareem Martin.

9. Giants QB Daniel Jones (First Round)

This may seem alarmingly low for the No. 6 overall pick, but the Giants hope it ends up even lower because they really don't want to play him until 2020. Don't bet on a midseason transition, like there was back in 2004. Jones won't play until the Giants are mathematically eliminated from the playoff chase, or he won't play at all if they're not. Even if he doesn't play, though, his presence could be huge. Fans will be chanting his name and calling into sports talk shows about him every time Manning makes any kind of mistake.

10. Jets OT Chuma Edoga (Third Round)

Bets have to be hedged here a bit, because Edoga's impact might depend on the health and recovery of Brandon Shell from the knee injury he suffered in December. Edoga could have a chance to win the job, in which case he'd have to move a few spots up this list.

11. Giants CB Corey Ballentine (Sixth Round)

Let's assume (and hope) he recovers fully from his gunshot wound. If he does, he's got a chance to be a special teams demon, sort of like David Tyree was for the Giants years ago. There's not likely a spot in the corner rotation for him right now, barring injury. But he can really have an impact on special teams if his play in college is any indication.

12. Giants DT Chris Slayton (Seventh Round)

The Giants love to rotate defensive linemen, so he'll get work. Granted, he's behind Lawrence, Dalvin Tomlinson and Olsen Pierre, but there'll be a spot for him to pick up a few snaps. He also should play a lot of special teams.

13. Giants LB Ryan Connelly (Fifth Round)

He most likely will play inside, where the Giants are jammed with OK talent like Tae Davis and Nathan Stupar (behind starters Alec Ogletree and B.J. Goodson. He could play outside, but there's even less room for him there. Mostly, he's a special teamer and will have to show something there.

14. Jets LB Blake Cashman (Fifth Round)

He's only 6-foot-1, 237 pounds and had surgery on both shoulders last year. The Jets also have a lot of linebackers, which means he'll be relegated to mostly special teams. If the Jets deal Darron Lee, though, Cashman will have the chance to move way up.

15. Giants OL George Asafo-Adjei (Seventh Round)

He's probably more of a developmental offensive line project than anything. Yes, the Giants do have an opening for anyone to win a job at right tackle. Most likely, though, Asafo-Adjei will end up either on the practice squad or being a fixture on the inactive list as part of the Giants' depth.

16. Jets CB Blessuan Austin (Sixth Round)

After multiple knee injuries held him to just five games the last two seasons, the Jets will take it very slow with him. Figure he'll start camp and probably the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Maybe he'll be healthy enough to go by the second half of the season.

Popular in the Community