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New York Giants: Reaction to Re-Drafting the 2016 NFL Draft

By Nick Ziegler

Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris (13) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Giants won 19-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris (13) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Giants won 19-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sports Illustrated recently re-drafted the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Who did the New York Giants select with the 10th overall pick?

It is always interesting to look back and see what it could have been for a team in the NFL Draft. For the New York Giants, it is no different.

In 2016, the Giants were able to have a very successful season. In the first year under Ben McAdoo, they were able to reach the postseason. Sadly, they were eliminated by the red-hot Green Bay Packers, but they proved that they are on the rise.

One of the reasons for the Giants’ successful season was because of their first round pick. Cornerback Eli Apple helped the Giants have one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Despite reaching a bit, Apple turned out to be solid.

Even though Apple was great for the Giants, Eric Single of SI.com had them going in a different direction with their first-round pick. Instead of Apple, the Giants drafted tackle Laremy Tunsil with the 10th overall pick. Here’s what Single had to say about the pick.

"Apple might have been the best value on New York’s high-priced defense last season, but the Giants were ultimately done in by their deficient tackle play. After a season on the interior, Tunsil is ready to move outside for the Dolphins—he’d be a huge stabilizing upgrade over 2016 incumbents Ereck Flowers or Marshall Newhouse."

Taking Tunsil would have certainly been an interesting pick for the Giants. In his first season with the Dolphins, Tunsil played fairly well for a rookie offensive lineman. As shown in 2016, the offensive line was a weakness of the Giants.

If the Giants did draft Tunsil, they could have had two high first round picks at each tackle position. Ereck Flowers has struggled at left tackle, but many believe he would perform better at right tackle.

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Due to the video that was released just prior to the draft, Tunsil’s draft stock plummeted in the first round. However, he played very well in his rookie season and would have been a solid pick by the Giants. Due to the Giants having Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the secondary, they likely would have been able to survive without Apple this season. However, they are certainly happy with their pick.

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