New York Giants 2014 NFL Draft Half Way Report Card

With the New York Giants having a bye in Week 8, it gives everyone an opportunity to review the season at the half way point and what kind of impact the rookies have made. General manager Jerry Reese selected seven players back in May at the 2014 NFL Draft and  – at least from an offensive standpoint – has improved the team and added quality depth.

Due to injuries, some of these rookies have become starters and pleasant surprises, as well.  The usual growing pains have not been present and more contributions are expected to help the Giants make a playoff run after a 3-4 start.

Here is the Giants 2014 draft class and their grades at this point in the season:

WR ODELL BECKHAM, JR. (Round 1, 12th overall, LSU)     B+

Judging by Beckham’s play in the team’s last three games, he would have probably been given an A if not for the hamstring injury that held him back during the preseason and beginning of the regular season. The LSU alum has three touchdown receptions and has been thrust into the starting line-up with the absence of Victor Cruz. Beckham is becoming a ‘go-to guy’ for quarterback Eli Manning and should continue to impress.

C WESTON RICHBURG (Round 2, 43rd overall, Colorado State)     B+

It is rare when an offensive lineman doesn’t miss any playing time with injuries, but Richburg has done just that in starting all 50 games at the college level and now in the NFL. Head coach Tom Coughlin switched him to left guard and he has started the team’s first seven games there.

DT JAY BROMLEY (Round 3, 74th overall, Syracuse)     C

Inactive for all but one game so far in the first seven weeks, Bromley’s grade can easily be an ‘incomplete.’ But you expect third round picks to be impact players that can spell your starters, especially on the defensive line. But this is an area that Big Blue is deep in.

RB ANDRE WILLIAMS (Round 4, 113th overall, Boston College)     A-

When training camp opened, Williams was third on the depth chart behind starter David Wilson and Rashad Jennings. But Wilson’s neck injury forced him to retire and Jennings also suffered an injury after establishing himself as more than an adequate replacement. Reese’s foresight to build up his backfield with quality depth paid off, as Williams has stepped into Jennings’s shoes quite well with 280 yards on 89 rushes and two touchdowns.

DB NATE BERHE (Round 5, 152nd overall, San Diego State)     C+

Playing mainly on special teams, Berhe has only one tackle (four total) with those units.

Live Feed

Betsided

LB DEVON KENNARD (Round 5, 174th overall, USC)     B

His biggest moment came in the loss to Dallas when taking over for an injured Jon Beason at middle linebacker and he amassed four tackles. Kennard also showed some spark during training camp and he has a big upside.

DB BENNETT JACKSON (Round 6, 187th overall, Notre Dame)     B-

After recording eight tackles during the preseason, Jackson appeared to be a diamond in the rough. He made the practice squad but was put on the injured list in October.