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New York Giants 2016 NFL Draft Grades

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; (left to right) New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese , wwner John Mara , new head coach Ben McAdoo , Laurie Tisch and Jonathan Tisch pose for a photo during a New York Giants press conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; (left to right) New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese , wwner John Mara , new head coach Ben McAdoo , Laurie Tisch and Jonathan Tisch pose for a photo during a New York Giants press conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants 2016 NFL Draft Grades
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Eli Apple (Ohio State) is selected by the New York Giants as the number ten overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Ohio State Cornerback Eli Apple

There was little debate to this pick; the Giants made a major reach. With the two players they were targeting going ahead of them, the Giants went to their board and took the best player available that didn’t have any red flags. That would explain why they passed on Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, who had a whirlwind night with his social media accounts being hacked.

With Tunsil being written off, despite the need for an offensive lineman being near the top of their list and Tunsil being a potential No.1 pick before the Titans traded out, the Giants passed. Instead they took the talented, but raw, Eli Apple.

It was a peculiar pick as cornerback wasn’t near the top of the needs list for the Giants. With the signing of Janoris Jenkins in free agency to replace Prince Amukamara, the Giants looked set on the perimeter for cornerback, pairing him with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. A nickel corner that can play the slot was a need, but Apple doesn’t really fit that profile as he played on the outside with Ohio State.

Rodgers-Cromartie was a disaster in the slot with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jenkins isn’t much better. Apple will probably be given the chance to win the slot duties, but he has a lot of work to do before reaching his full potential. Only 20-years old, he needs some coaching to help clean up his technique as he is grabby at the line of scrimmage, something that won’t fly in the NFL.

Given the needs around the roster, and the fact Jerry Reese admitted that an offer to trade down came along and they declined, he is putting a lot of stock in Apple. Reese was under immense pressure to hit a homerun this draft, so taking a player as much of a project as Apple could seal his fate as Apple. He is a couple years away from reaching his potential, albeit that potential is a No.1 corner but it won’t be realized soon.

Grade: C+

Next: Second Round Grade

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