NY Giants Mock Draft 2.0

Round 1 (2): Josh Rosen QB, UCLA

I’m going to hold my ground and say that the Giants are not taking Saquon Barkley. And let me tell you why:

I just don’t see why Giants GM, Dave Gettleman, would make it so transparent that he’s taking Barkley at 2, if he really was. It was mentioned at the very beginning of the offseason that Gettleman has a plan to tighten ship and run a misinformation campaign to keep from Giants info getting out. He seems to be aware of the information leak issue and plans to remedy it.

MMQB writer, Peter King, made the analogy that Dave Gettleman is so tight lipped that he could work for the CIA. So why then would he make it this clear the Giants want Barkley? I’m banking on Gettleman using Barkley to put pressure on the Browns, making them think Barkley won’t be available if they waited till the 4th pick to take him.

So, with the 2nd overall pick, the New York Football Giants select Josh Rosen, the QB with the best mechanics coming out. Rosen is actually my QB2 overall, but I project that the Browns won’t give in to the Giants-Barkley rumors and select my QB1, Sam Darnold.

Rosen actually reminds me a lot of Eli Manning in the way he plays the game. He’s accurate with a strong arm and is his best when utilizing play action. Rosen is a very smart QB, he wants to know why a specific play is called and can quickly diagnose what defenses are doing, on and off the field. He’s one of the few QB’s coming out that has experience under center and doing a full drop back.

Rosen can be a streaky passer; he can get out of rhythm on a drive and miss some throws, but when he is on, he’s hitting guys perfectly in stride. He’s got a strong arm and tight spiral that enables him to fit the ball into tight windows. Rosen is not the most mobile; he can do some RPO’s if the call is made, but you won’t see Rosen making something out of nothing like the other big 3 QB’s coming out.

It’s no coincidence that new Giants Head Coach, Pat Shurmur, received a 5-year deal from the Giants this offseason and a 1st round pick has a 5-year deal. For reference, former Head Coach, Ben McAdoo, only received a 4-year deal to be the new coach. Shurmur is being called a QB guru after his work with Nick Foles on the Eagles in 2013 and Case Keenum with the Vikings in 2017. Giving him a high-profile player to mold could bring even more impressive results.

Taking a QB who will be on a (relatively) cheap rookie contract for the next 5 years is perfect timing to pair with an Odell Beckham Jr’s mega deal (who the Giants are not expected to trade). With a year behind Eli Manning to sit and learn how to be a pro and how to handle the pro game, Rosen could be the perfect pick for the Giants to transition from one franchise QB to the next. Look to see the Giants marry Pat Shurmur with a rookie QB for his tenure in NY.

(Previous: Josh Rosen, QB UCLA)

Round 2 (34): Tyrell Crosby OT, Oregon

Giants need help on the offensive line. They made moves to sign a LT (finally) in Nate Solder, and OG Patrick Omameh who both should come in and be instant starters on the left side of the line. They also tendered center, Brett Jones, who played very well filling in for Weston Richburg last year. There are also rumors out there that the Giants are trying to trade Ereck Flowers. This leaves the entire right side of the line up for grabs with only 2017 6th round pick Adam Bisnowaty and 2017 undrafted free agent Chad Wheeler as potential RT’s.

Bringing in Crosby with the #34 pick gives the Giants a plug and play starter at RT. Crosby started 36 games while at Oregon, 19 at RT and 17 at LT. Crosby could potentially give the Giants a starter at RT for the foreseeable future, as well as having the possibility to slide over to LT whenever the Giants move on from Nate Solder.

(Previous: Nathan Shepherd DT, Fort Hayes)

Round 3 (66): Rashaad Penny RB, San Diego St

Rashaad Penny is a mid-round favorite of mine who has the ability to make an impact year 1 like Kareem Hunt did for the Chiefs. Penny is coming off one of the best rushing seasons in college history with 2248 yards, 23 TDs, and 7.8 ypc on 289 carries.

Shurmur said he likes RB’s that can catch the ball, and Rashaad Penny has shown that ability with 34 catches the last two years at SDST. He also has ability as a returner with 2 kick return and 1 punt return TDs last year. Penny could come in and immediately contribute to the RB group that includes Jonathan Stewart and Wayne Gallman.

(Previous: Nick Chubb RB, Georgia)

Round 3 (69):  M.J. Stewart CB, UNC

M.J. Stewart is an experienced, versatile CB with good mirroring skills. He hasn’t had an INT in the last two seasons, but that’s more attributed to Stewart not being targeted much. Ball skills are there as evidence by his 6 total INTs his freshman and sophomore years. Stewart started his college career as an outside corner, but was used more in the slot towards the latter half of his tenure at North Carolina. With good size at 5’11 200lbs, Stewart’s versatility should help him carve out some playing time as a rookie.

(Previous Frank Ragnow C/OG, Arkansas)

Round 4 (102): Darius Leonard LB, South Carolina State

Small school player who got snubbed from Clemson and has played with a chip on his shoulder since. Combined 12 sacks, 4 INT’s and 5 forced fumbles the last two years, Leonard is a quick and instinctive linebacker who impressed at the Senior Bowl with his ability to drop into coverage. Leonard could potentially go earlier in the draft, but being out of a small school with lesser competition may affect his draft stock. He could be used as a “moneybacker” in James Bettcher’s defensive scheme, similar to how the Arizona Cardinals used Deone Bucannon. Giants attended South Carolina State’s pro day to get a look at Leonard, as well a top 30 visit to bring Leonard up to New Jersey for further evaluation, so the interest is definitely there.

(Previous: Duke Dawson CB, Florida)

Round 5 (139): Tre’Quan Smith WR, Central Florida

The Giants haven’t spent much of their pre-draft resources on the WR position. But after the release of Brandon Marshall, the Giants are definitely in need of at least some depth at the position. Currently the Giants have Odell Beckham Jr, Sterling Shepard, Roger Lewis, and then a scatter of practice squad players. With the few pre-draft resources they have used, there has been a common theme in the WRs they have viewed. They seem to be looking for a deep play threat to compliment Odell and Shepard. Smith is a 6’2 203lb WR who ran a 4.49 40-yard dash. Smith finished with the second-most deep pass yards, the third-most deep pass receptions, and the second-best deep catch percentage in college, according to PFF 2018 Draft Guide.

(Previous: Joe Noteboom OT, TCU)