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New York Giants: Reaction to the selection of RJ McIntosh

By Sean Dyer

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 02: A Miami fan wears his version of the turnover chain before the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 02: A Miami fan wears his version of the turnover chain before the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The New York Giants wrapped up their 2018 NFL Draft by taking defensive lineman RJ McIntosh in the fifth round.

Dave Gettleman made it very clear that he’s rebuilding the New York Giants from the inside out. Big Blue used their final pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to add yet another trench player, selecting defensive lineman RJ McIntosh in the fifth round.

I like the strategy with this pick but I’m indifferent to the player. Building in the trenches is exactly what the Giants need. When the Giants were willing Super Bowls, they had a great offensive line and an unstoppable pass rush. Jerry Reese got away from that and that’s how Big Blue ended up 3-13 in 2017.

Gettleman was determined to add “hog mollies” and he’s done just that. He added guard Will Hernandez in the second round and defensive tackle B.J. Hill in the third. Although New York is transitioning to a 3-4 defense and needs more bodies in the front seven, I would have preferred another offensive lineman in the fifth round. With Tyrell Crosby and Jamarco Jones still on the board, I would have taken one of them.

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Also, if the Giants were going to add a defensive lineman, I would have preferred them taking a chance on Maurice Hurst. I understand that Hurst has his medical concerns with his heart condition but he’s a first-round talent who would be worth taking a fifth-round flier on. The Oakland Raiders certainly thought so, trading up to take Hurst with the pick right after Big Blue.

Hurst’s heart condition is believed to be the same issue that Star Lotulelei had in 2013 and he’s been a productive NFL player after being drafted by Dave Gettleman! Perhaps the Giants doctors weren’t comfortable with Hurst, but that would’ve been my pick as far as defensive lineman go.

Focusing on RJ McIntosh, however, he has the potential to be a disruptive pass rusher. McIntosh is a very good athlete with speed and quickness off the line. He has good flexibility and moves well. He could be a three-technique for Big Blue but needs to add strength in order to handle the run. McIntosh didn’t put up huge pass rushing numbers at Miami (Fla.) but he also gets his hands up and bats down passes. He’s raw and likely would’ve benefited from another year in school, but there’s plenty of potential there.

Next: Potential targets on Day 3 of the NFL Draft

Barring a trade back into Day 3, the New York Giants are done making picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. They added three potential rookie starters, two rotational defensive linemen, and a developmental quarterback with future starter potential. This was a very good first draft class for Dave Gettleman.

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