New York Giants: Analyzing Jerry Reese’s Tenure as General Manager
2015
Draft Selections:
Ereck Flowers, OT
Geremy Davis, WR
Bobby Hart, OG
Notable Free Agency Additions:
Dwayne Harris, WR
Shane Vereen, RB
Notable Free Agency Losses:
Antrel Rolle, S
Notable Trades:
Moved up seven spots to select Collins in 2nd-round
7th-round pick (2016) to Steelers for Brad Wing, P
Missed Opportunities:
David Johnson (draft)
La’el Collins (undrafted)
Orlando Franklin (free agent)
Mike Iupati (free agent)
Doug Free (free agent)
Record: 6-10
Postseason: Did not qualify
Analysis:
The 2015 draft class looked to be a huge disappointment, before the recent emergence of Landon Collins this past season. Originally unable to catch a football during his rookie season, Collins has quickly developed into one of the best safeties in the NFL and is an aggressive ball hawk. His 2016 season reaffirmed Reese’s desire to trade up for him and has established himself as a defensive anchor for the years to come.
The same cannot be said for their first-round pick, Ereck Flowers. At the time of the draft selection, Flowers was considered a reach. The Giants had targeted Brandon Scherff as their preferred offensive lineman to draft, but the Redskins took him earlier than expected. Flowers struggled in 2015, but this was excused because he was a rookie and was still developing. In 2016, his struggles were inexcusable. He was flat-out terrible, and has been a bust.
The Giants need to find a new left tackle immediately, and must shift Flowers somewhere to the right side. If he can rejuvenate his career as a right guard or right tackle, Reese can enjoy a minor victory. Regardless, Flowers cannot be trusted to guard Eli Manning’s blind-side because his poor footwork and technique has made him a revolving door.
The mid-round picks, Odighizuwa and Thompson, have been battling injuries while receiving minimal playing time. Hart stuck around as roster depth, but has not impressed when playing while the starters were out. The other pick, Davis, was a mainly a practice-squad player before being released in 2016.
Reese spent a lot of money on career special-teamers, in hopes of fixing that phase of the Giants. Harris spent a lot of time as receiver in 2015 and performed well. Casillas has emerged as a starting linebacker in 2016, but he still needs to work on his catching. Vereen was brought in to be a change-of-pace back, but he has not really fit in yet. So far, his fumbling has been an issue, along with his health.
Reese trading up for Collins has proven to be a great move, as was his trade for Wing from Pittsburgh. Collins has replaced Rolle in the secondary while trading for Wing ensured that the Giants have a punter who can pin opponents deep.
The Giants had opportunities to supplement Flowers with other capable linemen, such as La’el Collins, Doug Free or Mike Iupati in free agency, but did not pull the trigger. The big retrospective miss here was not drafting David Johnson, whom I consider to be the best running back in the league. The Giants passed on him three times, and regret it now, considering their poor rushing attack.
Reese was criticized for overpaying for special teams players, but both Casillas and Harris contribute to each game. Flowers has been a bad No. 1 pick, but Collins’s emergence makes up for it.
Offseason Grade: B-