Packers 2016 Draft: Last minute NFL mock draft
By Kenn Korb
Pick #10 — New York Giants
Chris Jones
New York has a wide array of directions they could decide to go in, all of which would make sense to target with this #10 pick.
Outside of Odell Beckham Jr., the team has no reliably consistent options for Eli Manning to look to for production; a wide receiver such as Treadwell have been linked here and would be a good second option in the passing game.
The offensive line continues to be a stain of incompetence; Ronnie Stanley would be someone who pushes the always-underwhelming Marshall Newhouse off the starting unit, giving the team bookend tackles (with Justin Pugh) for at least a few seasons.
The defense received an influx of talent — and a subsequent gigantic hike in price — but they have multiple holes remaining to fill. Leonard Floyd can be someone used as a pass rush option in sub-packages, while possibly becoming a decent coverage option as an OLB in the Giants’ 4-3 lineup. Robinson, Nkemdiche, Rankins, Chris Jones, Jarran Reed, and others could all be looked at to join the overall DL rotation (though more so on the interior in most of these cases).
What I would really like to see — at least in terms of best meeting together need with available player for this mock draft scenario — would be Ragland going here. The Giants have long needed to upgrade the middle of the defense, and even if he is on the lower end of his potential he becomes the best linebacker of any spot that they have had in years.
Since Ragland isn’t happening though, Jones is my pick for them here.
Jones gives a team someone not only potentially strong production, but he can work at multiple different spots along the line depending on the situation. Versatility is a key component which gets consideration in determining a pick for any team, but the Giants in particular have about a decade of recent history to point towards for making a concerted effort in finding and utilizing players who can jump to any spot on the line. Mathias Kiwanuka was the most notable example for them, but others have done this kind of thing to some extent.
Elsewhere, we see someone like Michael Bennett being one of the most dynamic defensive pieces out there due to his versatility, and a defense can reach a special level when you have someone with that type of talent on your roster.
Should this happen, it would probably be a surprise — or even a shock — but really, it probably shouldn’t be. It just makes sense.