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New York Giants Select Derek Barnett In Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft 2.0

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants select Derek Barnett in Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock draft.

The New York Giants have clear needs heading into the offseason. They have already made some cuts, releasing veterans Victor Cruz and Rashad Jennings. Those moves indicate that the Giants plan to make changes to their outside receiver corps and running backs.

While replacing two players who were cut makes sense, the Giants have other needs that probably trump another running back and wide receiver. Once again, offensive line is atop that list. The Giants offense underperformed in 2016 because of the offensive line as much as any other reason.

Another area of concern is tight end. Larry Donnell is not expected to be brought back, leaving Will Tye and Jerell Adams as the only tight ends on the roster. The Giants could address this need with their first round pick.

Both O.J. Howard out of Alabama and David Njoku of Miami would both represent value for the Giants with the 23rd overall pick. Unfortunately for the Giants, both players are off the board in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft.

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With both tight ends off the board, the Giants could add either Alabama’s Cam Robinson or Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk, both offensive lineman. But, Kiper Jr. has the Giants addressing an underrated need along their defensive line.

With the 23rd overall pick, Kiper Jr. has the Giants selecting Tennessee defensive lineman Derek Barnett. This is a pick that may surprise some people, but pass rush, and defensive line in general, is a need for New York.

Last season the Giants relied almost solely on Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon at defensive end. Romeo Okwara showed some flashes once he replaced Pierre-Paul and the team likes Kerry Wynn. But adding a pass rusher with the caliber of Barnett would give the Giants solid insurance should Pierre-Paul leave as a free agent.

Here is what Kiper Jr. has to say about mocking Barnett to the Giants despite the offensive linemen being available.

"If you’re shocked this isn’t an offensive tackle, I don’t think you’ll be surprised by the end of April when you’ve heard plenty about the blocking talent in this class. Barnett has been tremendously productive as a pass-rusher, and even if Jason Pierre-Paul is back, the Giants could use the help. If he’s not, then a pass-rusher is a must."

Kiper makes a lot of sense here. Whether Pierre-Paul returns or not the Giants need to add some depth to the offensive line. They could also lose Johnathan Hankins in free agency, which would make adding a pass rusher from the middle of the defensive line a necessity.

As Kiper notes, there is a lot of blocking talent. The offensive line is probably a position the Giants would like to address in free agency to bring in some experience. John Jerry and Marshall Newhouse were the oldest players along the offensive line at 30 and 28 years old respectively. Adding a veteran, enabling the Giants to kick Ereck Flowers to the right side, is probably their best course of action.

Next: New York Giants: 5 Potential 2017 First Round Picks

The Giants defense improved by leaps and bounds last season from 2015. If they want to sustain their success, adding an impact pass rusher in the first round would make some sense. How the Giants approach free agency will be a deciding factor in which direction they ultimately decide to go in the NFL Draft.

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