New York Giants: 25 prospects to watch on Day 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft
By Sean Dyer
The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft has come and gone, but there are still plenty of talented prospects on the board. Here are 25 Day 2 prospects who could help the New York Giants.
America loves to watch, follow, and react to the first round of the NFL Draft. Although that may be where the glitz and the glam is, a vast majority of the players in the NFL were drafted outside of the opening 32 picks. Day 2 of the NFL Draft is just as important and the New York Giants will have three selections to work with on Friday.
Big Blue will have the No. 34 overall selection in the second round and the No. 66 and 69 selections (courtesy of the Jason Pierre-Paul trade) in the third round. General manager Dave Gettleman will have an opportunity to add plenty of talent to the Giants and here are 25 prospects to keep an eye on.
1. Connor Williams, OT, Texas
The New York Giants need offensive line help and some scouts view Connor Williams as the draft’s top offensive tackle. Some view Williams as a franchise left tackle, others see a right tackle, and some view him as a guard. Big Blue has Nate Solder as their left tackle but they certainly need help on the right side. Williams could start at right tackle for the Giants or kick inside in a worst-case scenario.
2. Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
If the Giants are looking for an interior offensive lineman, Will Hernandez is their man. The definition of a “hog mollie“, Hernandez is an excellent consolation prize for those who wanted New York to draft Quenton Nelson. Hernandez is a hard-nosed road grader who punishes defensive linemen in his way. He could line up next to Nate Solder to solidify the left side of the offensive line.
3. Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
The Giants are transitioning to a 3-4 defensive scheme with Jame Bettcher taking over as defensive coordinator and they could look to improve their edge rushers. Harold Landry bends the edge better than anyone in this class. He can dip and slide under offensive tackles and get after the quarterback with ease. Injury concerns and being undersized for 4-3 schemes likely caused him to drop out of the first round.
4. Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is no longer a Giant and Eli Apple, despite his clean slate, has been inconsistent on and off the field. New York added William Gay to provide some depth at corner, but if Apple doesn’t work out, the Giants need a starting corner opposite Janoris Jenkins. Many had Josh Jackson pegged as a first-round pick after leading the nation with eight interceptions and the press-cover corner has drawn comparisons to Richard Sherman.
5. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Big Blue recently released Brandon Marshall and could use a big-bodied wide receiver opposite Odell Beckham Jr. After drafting Saquon Barkley second overall, the Giants may be set on offensive playmakers, but if they want to replace Marshall, or OBJ if a long-term contract doesn’t work out, Courtland Sutton would be a good value in the second round. Sutton is 6’4 and has great hands.