New York Giants: Grading Their Entire 2015 NFL Draft Class

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Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Third Round, 10th Pick (74th Overall)

Owa Odighizuwa, Defensive End, UCLA

A quiet need for the Giants heading into the draft was along the defensive line. Beyond Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants do not have an established pass rusher. They signed George Selvie, Pierre-Paul’s former college teammate, to go along with the likes of third-year player Damontre Moore and second-year linebacker Devon Kennard. While those options could flourish as they go along in their NFL careers, the Giants can never have enough bodies to use as pass rushers, especially with Spagnuolo back in the fold, and Odighizuwa can help that need.

He represented some decent value for the Giants in third round, as he was rated as a second round prospect, 55th overall, but the Giants got him at 74. Like Collins, he not only made sense from that viewpoint, but also from one of a need. The Giants are woefully thin on the edge; after Selvie and Moore, the Giants do not have much as Robert Ayers is recovering from surgery and Kerry Wynn has little experience in an extended role.

With that, Odighizuwa could have a role right from the start. While he is still developing as a pass rusher, he will bring immediate production against the run. But with the upside that he has in size and skill set, he could develop nicely. Until then, the Giants will be more than happy to use his versatility along the line to help stop the run game.

His athleticism, coupled with his work ethic, should make him a favorite of Tom Coughlin and the Giants staff right off the bat. He is listed as a defensive end, but he could be the next defensive tackle in the Giants NASCAR package that Spagnuolo made famous in his last tenure here.

The only concern is that he has had some injury woes in the past, having surgery on both his hips and missed the 2013 season.

This pick also makes sense because the Giants need to replace the released Mathias Kiwanuka. Kiwanuka was a solid contributor for the Giants in his nine-year career, and finding a replacement in the draft was a good way to go.

Grade: B

Next: Giants Make A Bit Of A Reach In Round 5