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New York Giants Select Zach Cunningham in Pro Football Focus Mock Draft

By Nick Ziegler

Oct 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) runs away from pressure by Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Florida won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) runs away from pressure by Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Florida won 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pro Football Focus has recently released their third 2017 NFL Mock Draft. Who do they have the New York Giants taking?

It was a great bounce-back season for the New York Giants in 2016. After struggling for a few seasons under Tom Coughlin, the switch to Ben McAdoo resulted in an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance in 2016.

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In the playoffs, the Giants, unfortunately, ran into the red-hot Green Bay Packers. Even with one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Giants were unable to slow down quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

As expected with a good record, the Giants don’t have a ton of holes on their team. One of the most important things that they must address in the offseason, however, is their offensive line. Left tackle Ereck Flowers really struggled in 2016. His inability to give Eli Manning protection limited what the Giants could do on the offensive side of the ball.

With Manning and weapons like Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants should have had a much better offense in 2016. Even though strengthen the offensive line is a need for the Giants, Pro Football Focus has them going in a different direction.

In their third mock draft, Pro Football Focus has the Giants selecting linebacker Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt. Here’s what they had to say about Cunningham:

"It’s going to happen. Someday, the Giants will add a playmaking talent to their linebacking corps. So why not this year? Cunningham loves to take on blockers and he sheds them well and his nose for the ball led to his 56 solo run stops that led all Power-5 linebackers. He has the skills to excel in coverage as well, it’s just a matter of getting better as a tackler where he’s missed 34 over the last two years. The Giants’ defense took major steps forward in 2016, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement at the linebacker level."

As stated by PFF, the Giants do have a need for some talent at linebacker. With defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul headlining some of their talented defensive players that are free agents this offseason, the Giants might have some holes to fill.

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Even though the Giants’ defense was great last season, their weakness was certainly at linebacker. Many have wanted the Giants to select a linebacker for many years now. In 2017, those people may finally get their wish.

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