New York Giants: Grading Their Entire 2015 NFL Draft Class

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama defensive back Landon Collins speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Second Round, First Pick (33rd Overall)

Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama

This was an outstanding selection by the Giants, and arguably their best move of the draft. To move up to the first pick on Day 2, the Giants had to surrender their second round pick, originally 40th overall, a fourth rounder and seventh rounder. In return the Giants received the 33rd overall pick from the Titans that they turned into the top-rated safety prospect in the 2015 draft class.

Collins surprisingly slipped into the second round as only one safety, Damarious Randle, was selected in Round 1. With that the Giants pounced and moved up, which turned out to be a smart decision as there was another team engaged in trade talks with the Titans to move up, but the Giants beat them to the punch.

In Collins the Giants are getting a safety that will immediately upgrade their defense. He will step in right away as their best in box safety, greatly improving the Giants woeful run defense. He is also an adequate playmaker with 13 pass breakups and five interceptions in his career at Alabama. That does not mean he should be left in coverage, because if he is he can be if constantly asked to cover one-on-one.

But, he is a capable defender if asked to defend against bigger receivers or tight ends. His size helps him there, as he is as big as a weakside linebacker. That should be something that has Steve Spagnuolo salivating, as he could move up in some sub packages as the outside linebacker in run support, giving the Giants the ability to play another playmaker in the defensive backfield without diminishing their ability to play against the run. At the same time, it will also not leave them short handed in pass defense, as Collins can defend from the linebacker position if need be.

Collins fills a huge hole on the roster at safety and will immediately improve an area of weakness for the Giants. In the second round, they Giants got outstanding value and filled a need.

Grade: A

Next: Defensive End Is Addressed Round 3