New York Giants: Potential targets on Day 3 of the NFL Draft

We are through the first 100 picks of the 2018 NFL Draft, but a bulk of the selections are still to come. Here are 15 prospects who the New York Giants could target on Day 3.

After selecting Saquon Barkley second overall on Thursday, the New York Giants added Will Hernandez, Lorenzo Carter, and B.J. Hill on Friday. Big Blue’s draft class has been solid so far, but they’re not done.

The Giants still have a few needs to address. They could use another offensive lineman, specifically an offensive tackle. They could add depth on the defensive line or on the edge. Another playmaking linebacker in the middle of their defense wouldn’t hurt. New York could also use help at cornerback and may look to add another wide receiver.

Big Blue will have two picks to address their handful of needs. New York’s fourth-round selection will be No. 108 overall and their fifth-round selection will be No. 139 overall. The Giants are without a sixth or seventh-round pick due to trade for Alec Ogletree and Ross Cockrell.

So who could the New York Giants target on Day 3 of the NFL Draft? Let’s take a look at the top remaining prospects for Big Blue.

Offensive Linemen:

“Hog mollie” Will Hernandez is on board but the Giants could use another offensive lineman. Ereck Flowers has still not shown up to OTAs and it’s rumored that New York is shopping the former first-round pick. A replacement at right tackle should be a priority.

The top offensive tackle left on most boards is Tyrell Crosby (Oregon). Crosby is big, long, and can move people in the running game. He looks like a mauling right tackle. If Crosby isn’t atop your offensive tackle big board, it’s likely because Jamarco Jones (Ohio State) claims the top spot. Jones has long arms and a strong upper body with enough quickness to stick at tackle.

If the Giants are looking to take a chance on a small school player they could target Desmond Harrison (West Georgia) or Jamil Demby (Maine). Harrison is a great athlete who flashed some dominant plays but may not have the bulk or technique for the next level. He would be a project pick. Demby may end up playing guard in the NFL but he’s naturally strong and excels in pass protection as a college tackle. Demby has good size and starter potential.

Defensive Linemen:

The Giants added B.J. Hill (NC State) in the third round but he seems to be another defensive tackle. A three-technique defensive end, especially one with pass rushing ability, could be useful.

Maurice Hurst (Michigan) continues to drop due to a heart condition that has reportedly caused him to be crossed completely off some teams’ boards. Hurst is a first-round talent and the best pass rushing interior defensive lineman in this year’s class. There’s certainly a health risk involved, but Hurst could be a perfect three-technique to line up next to Damon Harrison. He’d be an unbelievable value pick in the fourth round.

Another defensive lineman who could help with Big Blue’s depth up front is Da’Shawn Hand (Alabama). The former top high school recruit in the country has great size for a 3-4 defensive end and great physical traits. The problem with Hand is that he was never able to put everything together at Alabama. It could have been a lack of opportunity on a deep defensive line or it could have been a lack of commitment. That’s up for Dave Gettleman to decide.

Edge Defenders:

Big Blue drafted Lorenzo Carter (Georgia) in the third round, but as they transition to James Bettcher’s 3-4 scheme, they could look to add more edge rushers on Day 3.

Dorance Armstrong Jr. (Kansas) is a great athlete who could be a situational pass rusher from day one. He didn’t run well at the NFL Combine or his Pro Day, but he is an explosive pass rusher who can get after the quarterback.

Josh Sweat (Florida State) is a great athlete with the potential to be a great 3-4 rush linebacker. Unfortunately, knee issues and lack of quickness off the snap have limited his production. He could be a solid NFL pass rusher if he improved his pass rush arsenal, but without better moves, he’s just another guy.

Perhaps the opposite of Sweat, Jeff Holland (Auburn) overcomes his lack of athleticism with great play strength and a smart pass rushing approach. Holland does not have great movement skills but he’s aggressive and knows how to find his way to the quarterback.

Linebackers:

After trading for Alec Ogletree, the New York Giants may be set at inside linebacker. However, with B.J. Goodson’s injury concerns, I’d argue that adding another playmaker in the middle would be a smart move, especially one who could inside and outside linebacker.

Shaquem Griffin (UCF) was the star of the NFL Combine and there’s no reason he can’t carve out a role in the NFL. Despite missing one hand, Griffin is a sure tackler with good range. He has good instincts and technique which allow him to overcome any physical limitations he may have. Griffin’s speed (fastest 40-yard dash time from a linebacker in NFL Combine history) is what could allow him to play as an edge rusher on passing downs for the Giants.

Cornerbacks:

New York needs help at cornerback after releasing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Eli Apple has been inconsistent on and off the field, and even though he’s been given a clean slate, there’s no way of knowing what you’re going to get from him. William Gay, B.W. Webb, and Riley Curtis were added as depth, but a cornerback with future starter potential could go a long way in resurrecting Big Blue’s defense.

Holton Hill (Texas) has ideal size and length for an NFL cornerback. He is physical in coverage and isn’t afraid to contribute in the running game. Hill is a great athlete and solid in man coverage. There are maturity issues that could cause the Giants pause, but he has starter potential down the road if he can put it all together.

Quenton Meeks (Stanford) has tremendous size and is technically sound in coverage. He has good strength and a smooth backpedal but lacks the speed and acceleration to make up for mistakes. A coach’s son, Meeks is willing to put in the work to improve, but his lack of top-end speed could be tough to overcome.

Wide Receivers:

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After releasing Brandon Marshall, the New York Giants could use another wide receiver, particularly one with size. Some fans may want Dez Bryant to be the answer, but that may not be financially possible.

Gettleman could turn to his first-round pick Saquon Barkley for a scouting report on his college teammate DaeSean Hamilton (Penn State). Hamilton has good size and solid hands. As a great route runner, Hamilton consistently gets open and moves the chains. Hamilton welcomes contact and turns 50-50 balls into 80-20 in his favor. Hamilton is loved by his teammates and could make an impact early for Big Blue.

If the Giants are going to replace Marshall, why not replace him with a player who’s been compared to the now former Giant? Marcell Ateman (Oklahoma State) has great size and the ball skills to immediately make him a red-zone threat. He has natural hands and great body control. Ateman can use his size to shield off defenders and he’s also able to adjust in the air to make contested catches. He high points the football, getting to the ball before smaller corners even have a chance. Ateman is also a willing blocker who loves to dominate cornerbacks.

Next: New York Giants: Reaction to Lorenzo Carter and B.J. Hill

It’ll be tough to find a bigger wide receiver than Auden Tate (Florida State). At 6’5, 228 lb., Tate is a monster in the red zone. The issue with Tate is that he lacks the speed and quickness to separate from defenders in between the 20s. Tate has good ball skills and can fight through contact, making him a potential matchup problem for smaller defensive backs.

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