Draft Review: New York Giants

1st Round, Pick #19:  Justin Pugh OT Syracuse

For a team that normal goes best player available and sticks to their board, this pick is surprising.  Pugh was getting a lot of attention, but he isn't worth a first round pick.  Pugh has good fundamentals, quickness, and footwork.  But his lack of strength and bulk really cost him a lot.  Pugh doesn't have the length to play tackle and doesn't have the strength to move inside to guard.  He can't anchor in against a good bull rush against defensive ends, so why would he be able to do that against NFL defensive tackles?  Horrible pick!
Pick Grade:  F

2nd Round, Pick #49:  Jonathan Hankins DT Ohio State

What a great value the Giants got with this pick.  Hankins was a fringe first round pick and to get him in the late second is nice.  Hankins fits the Giants very well because he has some versatility to his game.  He can play both defensive tackle spots which helps him see the field more and help when they move lineman around.  Hankins has good quickness and agility for his size, but still needs to improve his pass rushing skills.  He'll likely see the field on early downs where he can clog up the middle and help their run defense.
Pick Grade:  A

3rd Round, Pick #81:  Damontre Moore DE Texas A&M

Do you remember when Damontre Moore was once widely considered as the #2 overall pick for the Jaguars?  Well a poor combine and some off the field concerns really sent him falling on draft day.  However the Giants got a complete steal here.  Watch Moore on film and you'll see a dominant pass rusher that was unstoppable in SEC play.  The Giants have a strong locker room and should be able to keep him in check.  Moore will help fill Osi Umenyiora's role as a pass rusher until he develops enough to be a full time starter.  The talent is definetly worth the gamble here in the third round.
Pick Grade:  A+

4th Round, Pick #110:  Ryan Nassib QB Syracuse

I've never been a big fan of Ryan Nassib and the talk that he was going to go in the first or early second round was just ludacris to me.  He is a smart QB but doesn't have that good of an arm to be a good NFL starter.  Probably just a backup.  However Nassib didn't go that high and was taken here in the fourth round to be Eli Manning's backup.  This will allow Nassib to sit back learn and develop and become a better QB.  The Giants really don't have much for help if Eli goes down, so taking Nassib here will help them out.  Nassib falling here probably helps prevent him from becoming a flop.
Pick Grade:  B+

5th Round, Pick #152:  Cooper Taylor S Richmond

After the past two three picks were good, the Giants went right back to the questionable route.  Taylor is a big (6'4 230) safety who really isn't that great of an athlete.  He isn't fluid and doesn't have great speed.  That hurts him at safety and then add in that he doesn't have the size to play linebacker.  The Giants will probably look to have Taylor help out at safety when they go into their nickel package where like to bring Antrell Rolle down as a nickel back.  But I really wonder how well he'll be in that role.  But you would think they could have taken somebody else here and gotten Baccari Rambo or Robert Lester in the sixth or seventh rounds and had a better player.
Pick Grade:  D

7th Round, Pick #225:  Eric Herman G Ohio

Even though the Giants and Eli throw the ball a lot, they are still a run oriented team.  Because of that they still want offensive lineman that are better run blockers, especially guards.  So here in the seventh round they are looking for player who have potential to develop into a quality backup or an eventual starter.  Herman was a four year starter at Ohio who is a nasty blocker that is always going through the whistle.  Herman will have to battle for a spot on the roster, but he fits with what they want to do.
Pick Grade:  C

7th Round, Pick #253:  Michael Cox RB UMass

In the seventh round a lot of teams are normally taking flyers on potentinal guys and hoping that they turn out to be contributers.  Michael Cox barely played at Michigan and then transfered to UMass after graduation to take advantage of the graduate transfer rules.  Because of this he doesn't have a lot of experience or game film.  However he does have the size and average speed needed to play in the league.  However Cox is going to have an upward climb to make the team with the Giants already having a stable of backs they trust.  I would have liked to see them use this on a tight end like Joseph Fauria or even Onterio McCalebb if they were going to take a RB.

Pick Grade:  D

Overall Grade:  C