I’m changing things up a bit this week. Instead of using the Pro Football Network draft simulator, I’m going to use one from the NFL draft database. Let’s see how much leeway and another simulator that will change the Big Board rankings I work for will change the result for the New York Giants.
By the way, even before I start choosing here, I absolutely know that some of you will be furious about my choice number 7. Come on, hit me with the positional value argument. I’ll put up with it, partly because if you’re making this argument, you don’t believe security is as important as I am.
Anyway, here we go.
Round 1 (No. 5) – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Offensive tackles Evan Neil and Ikem Ekwonu are the only two players in the draft class that I would put in fifth place over Gardner without a second thought. They left. I would have thought Oregon quarterback Kaivon Thibodeau in this spot, but he’s gone too.
Kyle Hamilton’s Notre Dame security and Charles Cross’ Mississippi state attacks are worth discussing here. The best thing the Giants can do if they can’t get the offensive tackle they want is to get defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, the personal press guard his defense needs to thrive. Gardner is top of the class and I think that would be an amazing result for the Giants.
Looking at this board, I have two of the next three choices. I want two out of three from Sauce Gardner, Kyle Hamilton and Charles Cross. The guy I want the most is Gardner, so I’m taking him here.
Other players considered: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame; Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Round 1 (No. 7) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
As I said, when I was sitting at number 5, I knew I wanted two out of three between Gardner, Cross and Hamilton. The Panthers took Cross at number 6. Since there are only two experienced safes in the current roster, and Hamilton is very valuable here, I do not hesitate to make this choice.
I wish there was an offensive tackle here, but I’m not picking OT4 (Trevor Penning) over a player who might be the best clean prospect in the draft class.
Hamilton – safety for everything. He plays alone. He can cover up from the slot. He can play in the box. He can blitz. He has ball skills. He has a range from sideline to sideline. He has amazing instincts to read and react. He is a reliable player in space. I may not be a trained scout, but I don’t think you need to be one to see that this guy has nothing wrong.
Like I said, I would like to get an offensive tackle on 5 or 7, but I won’t miss out on a potential game changer instead of Trevor Penning.
In this scenario, there is a good argument for a down trade. This time, however, I decided to stay away and take Hamilton.
Squash me in the comments if you like, but I will support this choice.
Other players considered: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa, Travon Walker, Edge, GA; Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida
Round 2 (No. 36) – Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
Faalele, a 6ft 8in, 384-pound mountain of proper tackle, is the 39th player overall on this big board. That’s higher than his PFN billboard. However, I love this child. You can’t teach 6ft 8in and 384lbs with 35+” arms. I always thought he would be a fallback if the Giants couldn’t handle an offensive tackle in the first round. This is where he becomes.
Even though he’s technically perfect, he’s a planet to run on as a pass rusher and a devastating run blocker when he’s clinging. Perhaps Faalele needs a little time to adjust to playing in the NFL. That’s what Matt Gono and Corey Cunningham are for.
Other players considered: Cayir Elam, CB, Florida; Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington; Jahir Dotson, WR, Penn State; Boy Meif, Edge, Minnesota
Round 3 (No. 67) – Trey McBride, TE, Colorado.
It seemed premature for the backup running back. However, this was the moment when a few tight ends mattered on the board. I went with the guy who is most considered TE1 in the draft class. When value and need match, you love making those choices, and there is definitely a need for giants.
Other players considered: Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State; Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M; Jalen Wiedermeier, TE, Texas A&M; Troy Anderson, LB, Montana State
Round 3 (No. 81) – Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame
I know that this choice will cause bewilderment. Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker, Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller, and James Cook or Georgia are all players ranked above Williams on the board used.
This choice, however, concerns the received conversation. if the Giants keep Saquon Barkley, what kind of running back are they looking for as a complement? There has been some discussion that they need a third downstream or downstream that can take over the duties of receiving, blocking, and executing. This is Williams.
From NFL.com:
The short-tempered team leader and combat runner who throws everything on the field. Williams was a worker bee with a willingness to do hard work on all three downs and has superb third down talent both in blitz and as a runner off the field. The Patriots’ use of James White, Dion Lewis and Brandon Bolden may be a model for how Williams is used in the NFL.
Maybe it’s early for Williams. The board showed this as sort of a sweet spot with multiple runner options, which is what I chose.
Other players considered: Walker; Spiller; James Cook, RB, Georgia