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New York Giants: Linebacker Duke Riley Would Be Perfect Pick In Round 2

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Duke Riley (40) celebrates as Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks on following a defensive stop during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Duke Riley (40) celebrates as Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks on following a defensive stop during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants select LSU linebacker Duke Riley in ESPN’s Steve Muench’s perfect Round 2 Mock Draft.

The New York Giants received mixed reactions for their first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Giants addressed a need in name, selecting tight end Evan Engram 23rd overall. But, Engram is not a prototypical tight end.

Engram rarely plays inline and is not a good blocker. He is comparable in size to Brandon Marshall and is essentially a slot receiver. The Giants now have an embarrassment of riches in terms of pass catchers.

By selecting Engram 23rd, the Giants passed on linebacker Reuben Foster. Foster was passed on by a number of teams, but they all did not have a need at the position like the Giants. There were some red flags with Foster, but his talent on the field would have helped the Giants immensely at linebacker.

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Luckily for the Giants, there are a lot of good players that dropped out of the first round. Round 2 is when they finally land the linebacker that will help upgrade the second level of their defense.

In Steve Muench’s most recent article on ESPN, he makes the perfect selection for each team in the second round. For the Giants, Muench’s perfect pick is selecting LSU linebacker, Duke Riley. Here is what Muench said about the Giants landing Riley.

"The Giants are in need of playmakers at linebacker. Riley has the instincts, range and cover skills to help in that regard. A 2016 team captain, he also has excellent intangibles."

Riley would fill an immediate need for the Giants. He is capable of playing all three downs, but excels against the run. The Giants need a run stuffing linebacker; their linebackers were not good against the run last season. Riley would help that right away.

Riley has the sideline-to-sideline coverage in the run game that the Giants desperately need. They have a pass coverage linebacker in Keenan Robinson and a pass rusher in Devon Kennard; Riley could be the missing piece to help elevate the run defense.

Riley was effective in his lone season as a starter and was a team captain, which the Giants love. He also has experience on special teams, an area the Giants were shaky at certain times in 2016.

Many Giants fans would love to see Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham fall to the Giants, as he was mocked to them as a first round pick a few times during the draft process. But, he gets selected right before the Giants by the Miami Dolphins in Muench’s perfect mock.

Next: Complete 2017 NFL Draft First Round Grades

While that may disappoint some fans, Riley would be an excellent addition to the Giants defense and special teams.

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