Examining Potential New York Giants First Round Picks

With just a few days until the NFL Draft, potential Giants targets are starting to shape up.  With a good amount of holes on the roster and a General Manager who has a history of taking the best player available, it will be very interesting to see how this draft shapes up for the Giants.  Below are the odds for some of the Giants potential draft targets in the first round. 

1.     DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver Louisville:

Parker would most likely be a best player available selection as wide receiver isn’t the biggest need on the Giant’s roster (although to what extent Cruz comes back from his injury is still unknown.)  Parker is an elite talent, and absolutely dominated competition when healthy during the 2014 season.  In just six games played in 2014, Parker averaged a mind numbing 142.6 yards per game and finished with more than 120 receiving yards in all but one game.  The addition of Parker would give the Giants an elite wide receiver corps to go with Beckham and Cruz  If White and Cooper are off the board come pick nine, don’t be surprised to hear Parker’s name at ninth overall. 

Odds: 25%

2.     Brandon Scherff, Offensive Tackle/Guard Iowa:

Scherff is regarded by most as the top offensive line prospect in this year’s draft.  With how much the Giant’s line has struggled over the past few seasons, this would fill an immediate need.  However, the question is whether or not the value is there to take a player that is projecting as a guard at the next level with the ninth overall pick.  With the line in desperate need of a talent infusion, it would not surprise me to see Reese stray away from his best player available strategy and take a mauler like Scherff. 

Odds: 20%

3.     Trae Waynes, Cornerback Michigan State:

While cornerback is one of the stronger positions on the roster, Prince Amukumara is in a contract year and has a history of injuries.  It would not be a total shock to see the Giants load up at the cornerback position by selecting Waynes.  Since Reese took over as General Manager in 2007, Reese has twice spent a first rounder at corner in Aaron Ross (2007) and Prince Amukumara (2011) and spent a second rounder on Terrell Thomas in 2008.  Waynes would be great insurance if Amukumara were to leave after the season and has the potential to blossom into a shutdown corner in the NFL.     

Odds: 18%

4.     Danny Shelton, Defensive Tackle Washington

It is being reported that the Giants are looking for a defensive tackle to pair with emerging star Jonathan Hankins.  While Danny Shelton is arguably the best defensive tackle in this draft, there are some concerns as to whether he would fit in the Giants defensive scheme.   Shelton himself has said he would be better suited in a 3-4 defense as space eater and weapon against the run.  However, his size and talent may be too much for Reese to pass up on if available at ninth overall. 

Odds: 12%

5.     Todd Gurley, Running Back Georgia

Perhaps the most intriguing situation for the Giants is the talk of Gurley being the pick at ninth overall gaining traction.  Mock draft expert Todd McShay has him as the Giants pick in his latest mock and Gurley could be too much for Reese to pass up if available at ninth overall.  Running back is far from a need for the Giants; however, Gurley is considered by many experts as the best running back prospect to come out of college since Adrian Peterson in 2007.  If not for a torn ACL last season, Gurley would most likely be a lock as a top five pick.  The thought of an offense highlighted by Odell Beckham Jr., Eli Manning, and Todd Gurley could be very tempting come Thursday night.  

Odds: 10%

Other Player:

Regardless of what we think we know is going on in a team’s draft war room, we never really know what’s going on until the draft actually unfolds.  Add in the chance of a top prospect like Amari Cooper falling and it is impossible to know for sure what direction the Giants will go come Thursday. 

Odds: 15%