New York Giants: Bold moves to make on draft day

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Bold Move No. 4 – Time to Go to Work

First Round (12) – QB Lamar Jackson

The Giants trade back up to get talent and Lamar Jackson has tons of it. Falling outside the top 10 gives the Giants time to let their new QB whispering head coach the chance to groom and help him grow. He can sit and learn behind a two-time Super Bowl MVP while also maturing his body and frame to be more durable for the NFL to create a highlight reel of laser throws and electric runs.

First Round (21) – OT Orlando Brown

With his monster size at 6’8, he slides down the board a bit while other teams are filling their needs with playmakers. The Bengals were hoping he’d fall one more spot but the Giants saw enough during the combine and his interview to know that he’ll be well worth the 21^st pick and will soon be the future blindside blocker for their new franchise QB once Eli decides to step away.

Second Round (34) – LB Malik Jefferson

The linebacker from Texas has the athletic ability to team up well with BJ Goodson and would give the Giants something they haven’t had in years; two young capable linebackers that are wrap-up tacklers and aren’t a liability in coverage.

Second Round (37) – OL Billy Price

The interior lineman from Ohio State brings versatility back to the Giants O-line and helps put an end to the revolving door at the guard spots. I fully anticipate the Giants bringing back DJ Fluker and his nasty finishing style which is the kind of mentality the new regime wants its players to have. Billy Price already has that in him, which he showed in flashes during his time at Ohio State. Pairing him with Fluker during the offseason will help give him that everyday swagger you want your big horses up front to have.

Third Round (66) – RB Rashaad Penny

Penny is a pure beast. This kid is electricity in a bottle and has the big-play ability that the Giants backs currently lack. He is a complete threat out of the backfield catching the ball and has the frame and size to do well picking up blitzes through the A gap. Pair Penny with Wayne Gallman and all of a sudden you have depth and talent at the running back position. Paul Perkins isn’t a feature back but he should be kept around for insurance with these two younger backs. Perkins very well could come out of his sophomore slump a completely different back.

Fourth Round (98) – WR DJ Clark

The Giants dip back into the LSU pool to grab another wide receiver and this one has straight-line speed and is great at high pointing the ball. He may not be as sure-handed as Odell Beckham Jr. but in the beginning of the fourth round, he’s a great pick and will bring something Giants tried to add in free agency last year; size! At 6’4 198 lb, he’ll keep teams from doubling down on Beckham and will free up Sheppard to play the slot where he’s found success.

Fourth Round (103) – CB Donte Jackson

The fourth round belongs to the LSU Tigers. The Giants add Donte Jackson to the cornerback mix after revamping the offense. They can start to turn their attention to the defense and its needs of depth after injuries devastated both sides of the ball. Jackson is an excellent corner at a shade less than six feet tall. He brings great ball skills and can play outside or nickel which would free up the Giants to move Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to free safety if he stays with the team on a restructured contract.

Fifth Round (149) – DL Kendrick Norton

Coming from the turnover chain capital of the nation, Kendrick Norton has the size to team up for a nice rotation in the middle of the Giants D-line. At 6’3 320 lb, he has the size to be competitive at the next level. With a much-underrated pass-rushing skill set, he’s prime to be a steal in the draft when overlooked or compared to the Bradley Chubbs in this class.

Sixth Round (162) – DE Breeland Speaks

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The edge rusher from Ole Miss brings a relentless motor to the table. With that high level of energy and the experience of playing inside and outside on the line, he would give the Giants new defensive coordinator the ability to rotate edge rushers and stand-ups in the base 3-4 or nickel defense the Giants look to run in the 2018 season. Being able to groom Breeland and Moss (last year’s fifth-round pick) would give the Giants a chance to rest Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon and allow them to go do what they do best late in games: go get the quarterback.

Time to Clock Out

With these bold moves, the Giants were able to revamp their whole team in a draft and continue to build for the future with extra picks going forward. These bold moves would take a lot of guts and moxie to pull off, but if the brass is strapped for cash and wants to roll the dice on their scouting department and the ability to move back and forth in the draft, this would be a great way to restructure the franchise and breathe new life into the team.

Next: New York Giants 3-round mock draft 3.0

These moves do more than change the transmission it put a whole new engine block in this machine. If Dave Gettleman can get something to this effect down, we all would know that he meant what he said about going to work in 2018 and he can sleep for one week before OTA’s start.

Punch the clock boys. Job well done.

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