New York Giants: 5 biggest draft needs and prospects to watch
By Sean Dyer
3. Cornerback
After cutting Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, cornerback instantly became a need for the New York Giants. They have Janoris Jenkins as their No. 1 corner, who needs to have a bounce-back season after showing a lack of effort at times before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Across from him is now Eli Apple, who has struggled on and off the field in his young career. Dave Gettleman has given Apple a clean slate but he was called a “cancer” by teammate Landon Collins and something like that is not easily forgotten. He’s also been shaky when on the field anyway.
Ross Cockrell left in free agency to sign with the Carolina Panthers leaving the Giants in need of cornerback depth. They’ve added William Gay, B.W. Webb, Teddy Williams, and Curtis Riley to join Donte Deayon, Brandon Dixon, and Daryl Morris on the cornerback depth chart. However, none of those guys can be trusted to start aside from Gay, who’s entering his 12th NFL season and is not part of the future in New York.
The Giants won’t be taking a cornerback at No. 2 overall but if they trade back in the first round a corner could become an option, although it’s still unlikely. There could be solid options at the top of the second round or Big Blue could wait until the middle rounds.
Prospects to watch: Jaire Alexander (Louisville), Mike Hughes (UCF), Isaiah Oliver (Colorado), Carlton Davis (Auburn), D.J. Reed (Kansas State), Donte Jackson (LSU), Quenton Meeks (Stanford), Christian Campbell (Penn State)