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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
Oct 18, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Jerell Adams (89) scores on a reception past Furman Paladins safety Thomas Brown (6) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

South Carolina Tight End Jerell Adams

The Giants have a steal on their hands with this pick. They landed Jerell Adams in the sixth round despite him being a top-5 rated tight end in this class and receiving a second round pick according to many analysts. The Giants will take it though, as they may have found someone that can make an immediate impact very late in the draft.

Tight end is a sneaky need for the Giants, as there is a lot of question marks at the position. Larry Donnell is recovering from a neck injury suffered last season, Daniel Fells contracted a staph infection which seems to have ended his career, and Jerome Cunningham battled injuries all season. Will Tye came out of nowhere and was productive, but there was still a need at the position.

Adams can fill that need, as he gives Eli Manning yet another weapon. His production wasn’t that great at South Carolina, as he was under utilized, but the tools are there for a successful tight end. He has elite top-end speed for the position, as he can wreck havoc up the seam. He is extremely physical and unafraid to work the middle of the field, while also showing strong route running abilities.

He has the skill set to play in the slot if need be, but is also not a slacker in the blocking department. He improved as a blocker throughout his career, but there is still some work to be done. His hand placement can sometimes be off, but if the Giants can improve that his blocking ability would increase greatly.

If they can improve that, they will have quite the talent on his hands. Jerry Reese has said that Adams is already a better blocker than receiver at this point, which is great news for the Giants as they need a blocking tight end. Having a tight end that can both block and be a threat in the passing game is not easy to find, so landing someone that has the potential to do both well in the sixth round is outstanding value.

This could be the steal of the draft if the Giants can work with Adams, and he could find himself being a contributor sooner than later with the tight end spot lacking currently. If the Giants can develop him, Manning will have yet another weapon to use in the middle of the field, as he has made the most of the tight ends he has played with.

Grade: A

Next: Overall Team Grade

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