New York Giants 2010 Draft Review

The Giants' defense could have been called a national disaster last season. The only team that gave up more touchdowns on defense was the Detroit Lions so a defensive overhaul was expected. Jason Pierre-Paul, Linval Joseph, Chad Jones, and Phillip Dillard could all start for this team. The later draft picks Mitch Petrus, Adrian Tracy, and punter Matt Dodge could all make this team and contribute. The Giants did a very good job of selecting great athletes that could grow into roles as the season progress and help them re-establish the dominance they showed through their Super Bowl run of '07 and their pre-Plaxico incident stability of '08.


Round 1, Pick 15

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

Ht: 6’ 4 ¾” Wt: 270

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The pass rush used to be a strong point for the New York Giants but last season it became their Achilles' heal.  JPP is a freakish type athlete that can have a Javon Kearse type impact on the Giants.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Raw junior college transfer who looked like Spiderman coming off the edge with loose hips and a giant wingspan and catapulted up draft boards in his lone season at USF. Won over coaches in the recruiting process by per- forming backflips in pads. Enamored scouts with the 13 consecutively performed backflips caught on camera and is intriguing from a purely athletic standpoint. However, all his hype does not match his performance on the field and he has too many red flags for a wise drafting decision maker to pull the trigger expecting any- thing more than the raw developmental pass rusher that he is. Very unrefined and unproven and could struggle to ever live up to his first- round draft billing. Has first-round athletic traits that likely will fool a team into overdrafting him in the top 15. Has big-time boom-or-bust potential.

NFL projection: Top-20 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Pierre-Paul is a freak on an athlete and will be a top 25 pick in the 2010 NFL draft.  He is still raw in a couple areas of his game, but he has the potential to be one of the best defensive ends in the NFL.  He has great length, speed, quickness and flexibility.  He has an innate ability to find gaps in the blocking scheme and by using his flexibility and quickness, to penetrate those gaps to make plays.  Extremely explosive first step and when his only job is to pin his ears back and rush the quarterback, he is at his best.  He can dip his shoulder off the ball and barely gives the blocker and space to punch.  Has a great closing burst and works to knock the ball out on contact.  Plays with strong hands as a pass rusher and in the run game.  Needs to improve strength to hold the double team run block, but when he comes off the ball low, he can control the blocker, shed with force and make a tackle on the ball carrier…. Overall, whatever team drafts Pierre-Paul will be getting a rare, explosive athlete with the ability to become a game changing pass rusher, but he is very raw and needs a lot of work so there is some real risk involved in using a high pick on him.  He is a definite 1^st round pick, in our eyes, but he needs to go to a team whose DL coach is extremely good at teaching the fundamentals as JPP needs the most work in this area if he is ever going to become the player he has the talent to be.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Pierre-Paul’s freakish athleticism has become a YouTube attraction, and NFL teams desperate for pass rushers should consider him in the first two rounds.  He has very raw technique and marginal strength, but defensive line coaches will line up for the chance to mold the potential-packed prize. 

Round 2, Pick 46

Linval Joseph, NT/DE, East Carolina

Ht: 6 4 ½” Wt: 328

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Joseph continues the overhaul of the Giants defensive line.  Another fast riser during the scouting process, Joseph could come in and start immediately at DT.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Flew under the radar before declaring early following the departure of head coach Skip Holtz, but awoke scouts at the Combine after posting a strong performance. The ability to fit as an end/five-technique in a “30” front or inside in a 4-3 front will increase his value. Possesses the size, strength, arm length and movement skills to become a solid starter with continued development.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Joseph’s potential is intriguing, but there are questions about his functional strength and stamina that may limit his value to some teams.  Others, however, may end up drafting him higher than his game indicates because of their need at the position. 

Round 3, Pick 76

Chad Jones, S, LSU

Ht: 6’ 2 1/8” Wt: 221

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An athlete that has never been a full-time football player, Jones will take time to develop as a full-time NFL player.  His superior physical skills won't translate onto the field immediately, and I don't know if he plays special teams.  The Giants are banking on their coaching staff instilling the necessary knowledge in Jones.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A multi-sport star with intriguing measurables, movement skills and hitting ability, Jones is more naturally athletic than instinctive and lacks the warrior mentality to bang in the box. Interviewed poorly at the Combine, coming across as too aloof and dispassionate about the game. Will be a deluxe strong safety with back- half capabilities in the pros. Has physical tools to be a standout center fielder, but the million-dollar question is: How good does he want to be?

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Jones has very good size, is a physical tackler and has surprising range in the deep middle.  With only one season as a starting free safety, he’s still rough around the edges.  His LSU teammates considered Jones the best all-around athlete on the team.  Given a year or two to develop better technique, Jones could prove to be a better NFL player than some of the more highly touted defensive backs drafted ahead of him. 

115.)  New York Giants
Phillip Dillard, LB, Nebraska
Ht: 6' 0" Wt: 245

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  With a gaping hole at middle linebacker, Dillard is an excellent example of the type of player that fits nicely in that role.  Dillard's impact should come on special teams in the immediate future but could develop into a starter down the road.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Showed renewed focus as a senior, when he became a full-time starter and elevated his stock. Carried momentum into the postseason and showed enough athletic ability at the Combine to warrant considering on the weak side. Might fit best as an inside linebacker in a 3- 4 alignment. Has room to grow and should con- tribute readily on special teams.

NFL projection: Mid-to-late draftable pick. 

147.)   New York Giants
Mitch Petrus, OG, Arkansas
Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 310

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Petrus is a good athlete but does not have elite speed for an offensive lineman.  He could become an effective left guard if he continues to work in the weight room.  He provides good depth initially and could blossom into a starter.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Signed as a tight end, Petrus moved to offensive guard and then to fullback before settling at guard.  Scouts had questions about his ability in pass protection, but those were answered when Petrus earned first-team all-SEC honors in coach Bobby Petrino’s pass-first offense in 2009.  He remains a bit lighter than scouts would like, but Petrus plays with impressive tenacity and the athleticism that earned him a scholarship as a skill-position player.    

184.)  New York Giants
Adrian Tracy, DE, William and Mary
Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 248

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Tracy is an undersized developmental project that was dominate in the conference in which he played.  Needing to gain strength and understanding of the pro-game, Tracy is a long shot to make the team but could develop into a rotational defensive end.  

221.)  New York Giants

Matt Dodge, P, East Carolina

Ht: 6' 1" Wt:  224

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Like many young punters, Dodge needs to work on his hang time, but he has the physical abilities to make it in the NFL.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Big, flexible punter with a powerful right leg who can unleash some bombs, which makes him draftable. Needs some refinement but could significantly impact a team’s field-position game.

NFL projection: Fourth- to fifth-round pick

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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