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There is less than a month to go until the Giants can use their 12 picks in the upcoming NFL draft. Here's a look at how those picks might go:
First round (6th overall) - LB Devin White, LSU
A first-round linebacker for the first time in 35 years? It's possible. The Giants would love it if Ohio State DE Nick Bosa, Kentucky LB Josh Allen or Alabama DT Quinnen Williams fell to them. That might take two quarterbacks going in the Top 5 (possible) and another surprise pick to happen. If it doesn't, White could be the best defensive player on the board. One team source said the Giants' defensive coaches love him, and pairing him inside with Alec Ogletree could make them a force in the middle. He's got great sideline-to-sideline speed (a 4.4 in the 40), he's smart, he's solid in coverage. He could be this generation's Antonio Pierce.
First round (17th overall) - QB Daniel Jones, Duke
I mean, they have to take a quarterback in the first round this year, right? They can't wait until 2020, can they? Right now I'd guess it's 50-50 whether they take a quarterback or not, but it seems like they'd be more likely to do it with their second first-round pick. That's really risky, given the importance of the position. If you find the guy to be the face of your franchise for the next 15 years, why not take him at 6? It's a good question that has no answer at the moment. There are indications, though, that the Giants think highly of Jones, and they certainly value the coaching (and the recommendation) of Duke coach David Cutcliffe, who was Eli Manning's old coach at Ole Miss. They prefer that comparison, by the way, to the one that compares Jones to the last quarterback the Giants took from Duke 27 years ago.
Second round (37th overall) - WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
Giants coach Pat Shurmur may like the weapons he has, but he knows that his receivers have something in common - something small. Golden Tate is 5-10, 197. Sterling Shepard is 5-10, 203. Corey Coleman is 5-11, 185. They need, and they want, a big receiver. Harry is 6-2, 228 with 4.5 speed and is a terrific positional receiver. In other words, in tight coverage he finds a way to get in position for the ball. He could be the big, outside target the Giants have been looking for since Plaxico Burress left town.
Third round (95th overall) - CB Jamel Dean, Auburn
The Giants have high hopes for Sam Beal, their supplemental third-round pick from last year, but they know Janoris Jenkins is likely gone after this year. They need to replenish this group after trading away Eli Apple. That makes LSU's Greedy Williams a sleeper at 17, but more likely he'll be gone by then, leaving the Giants to take a corner later. Dean has had knee issues, so this pick would require the Giants doctors to clear him. If they do, they'll love his size (6-1, 206) and speed (4.3) and potential.
Fourth round (108th overall) - OT Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
This feels a little long for Dave Gettleman to wait to find his first Hog Molly, but he does believe those players can be developed. The 6-5, 303-pound Hyatt might not need a lot of developing, though. He was a four-year starter and if he was a little stronger and his technique was a little better he might be a Day 2 pick. He could be anyway, but the Giants will like his potential here. He could immediately play right tackle, switch to left in the future. Some even project him at guard.
Fourth round (132nd overall) - OT Isaiah Prince, Ohio State
Yes, back-to-back offensive linemen in the fourth. Gettleman would go three in a row, if he could. Prince might be more of a developmental project, but he certainly has tantalizing size at 6-6, 305. He projects as a right tackle, but he's a little raw. He could stand a year sitting behind a veteran - perhaps Mike Remmers, who visited the Giants a few weeks ago and remains on their radar as he continues to rehab from back surgery.
Fifth round (142nd overall) - S Will Harris, Boston College
They got Jabrill Peppers to replace the departed Landon Collins, and veteran Antoine Bethea will be plugged into the lineup for at least a year. But the 6-1, 207-pound Harris could be the perfect complement to Peppers over the next few years. He's got great speed (4.4) and is good in coverage. He's particularly good at something the Giants have stunk at for years - covering tight ends.
Fifth round (143rd overall) - DE Shareef Miller, Penn State
The Giants believe they have the makings of a good pass rush with a healthy Markus Golden and an improved Lorenzo Carter. But they do need more than that, especially if either of those two don't pan out. Miller is 6-4 and 254 and little bit slow (4.7). He might be more suited to defensive end than edge rusher if he puts on a little weight. But this late in the draft, there's value there.
Fifth round (171st overall) - CB Kendall Sheffield, Ohio State
They won't find an immediate starter this low, but they can find a corner with blazing speed and inconsistent skills. He's only 5-11, 193, but he can keep up with the faster receivers in the game. And as he's working on his technique, he can be a huge addition for special teams.
Sixth round (180th overall) - DT Chris Slayton, Syracuse
He's got the size (6-4, 307) and strength and scouts even like his technique, but his production at college never really matched. Some team is going to see his potential and some coach is going to believe he can push his buttons. In the meantime he can be a big body for depth in the middle of the defensive line.
Seventh round (232nd overall) - LB Gary Johnson, Texas
The Giants will like that he's an aggressive player and was known as a leader. He even has terrific speed (4.4). But he's a bit undersized (6-foot, 226) and needs to get stronger (he did 16 reps on the bench press at the combine). His speed will make him a fine special teamer while he's developing his body to play more on defense.
Seventh round (245th overall) - QB Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt
OK, look, the chances of the 12th of 12 picks sticking around into September is remote anyway. Plus, if the Giants do draft a first-round quarterback and keep Alex Tanney around as a veteran backup, then Kyle Lauletta's days are numbered. The Giants were pretty down on him last year, both for his arrest and lack of development. The Giants could deal Lauletta late in the summer and stash the coach's son on the practice squad. Then the kid could stick around in 2020 as the third quarterback when (if?) Manning is gone. Hey, it could happen!
