1st Round (#15) DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida
Key Player(s) Passed On: DE Derrick Morgan
Analysis: The two qualities that we really liked about Pierre-Paul were his lateral quickness and that he consistently hustled in games. There are a lot of defensive ends that just like to try to run around offensive tackles. JPP was very comfortable using his lateral quickness to beat a blocker to the inside. He has more upside pass rush potential than any player in the 2010 NFL Draft. The former South Florida product is risky from the standpoint that he has much to learn about technique. His aptitude for learning the nuances of the game is a question mark. Derrick Morgan may very well be a better player in 2010. However, JPP has the greater potential and could be a big-time pass rusher down the road. A general manager has to consider not just what a player is today, but what he may be in two or three years. Morgan likely represented a single or double to the Giants and JPP a chance at hitting a home run.
The Giants are a good fit for JPP. They are deep at defensive end and he does not have the pressure of being viewed as a savior. Pierre-Paul can play some on 3rd down passing situations as a rookie. His ability to beat offensive linemen to the inside will enable the Giants to experiment with JPP rushing from a defensive tackle position. Justin Tuck was a handful for a guard to block two years ago on 3rd down with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora coming from the outside. New York could conceivably rush in certain situations Umenyiora and Kiwanuka from the outside and Tuck and Pierre-Paul from the inside. The Giants did not get complacent about their defensive end situation. They easily could have decided that everything is fine with a healthy Tuck and better seasons from Umenyiora and Kiwanuka. However, the facts are that the pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been declining (21 less sacks in 2009 compared to 2007) the past two seasons.
2nd Round (#46) DT Linval Joseph, East Carolina
Key Player(s) Passed On: LB Sean Lee, LB Brandon Spikes
Analysis: It is very obvious that Giants' GM, Jerry Reese, believes strongly in a dominant front four to spearhead the defense. We cannot argue with this philosophy. Joseph was a true junior and has some appealing physical qualities. He is a huge and powerful man and a decent athlete. The two-year starter from East Carolina will help shutdown the run. He is another young defensive lineman who is raw in terms of technique and diagnosing plays. Joseph could have been a fast rising 2011 NFL Draft prospect (similar to Dan Williams this year) had he decided to return to school. We thought he should have returned to East Carolina, but being selected in the 2nd round is not too shabby.
The Giants had a bigger need at defensive tackle than many people realize. The team was torched through the air last year, but also surrendered 21 touchdowns on the ground and opponents averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Rocky Bernard was a big disappointment as a free agent and so was Chris Canty. Jay Alford is coming off of major knee surgery. Barry Cofield was not as productive last season after microfracture knee surgery. Sean Lee is a good prospect, but probably did not have as much size as New York wanted in the middle. He also has had his share of knee injuries. Brandon Spikes is a better fit as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Spikes' does not have the foot speed to have the sideline-to-sideline range required of a quality NFL middle linebacker.
3rd Round (#76) S Chad Jones, LSU
Key Player(s) Passed On: LB Donald Butler, Navorro Bowman
Analysis: The Giants did not let the additions of safeties Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant stop them from adding another safety. Jones is a big hitter and has solid ball skills. Grant is 31 and strictly a stop-gap player for this year. Jones was simply too talented a player to pass on. Kenny Phillips is expected to return from a serious knee injury. Phillips was an emerging playmaker at safety, but it remains to be seen if he can make it all the way back. Jones provides added insurance and will be a factor on special teams. The former LSU standout was rated higher on our draft board compared to Donald Butler or Navorro Bowman. Butler and Bowman would have added depth at linebacker, but they do not have as much upside as Jones. We are interested in seeing how much Jones develops with a year-round commitment to football. Jones is an exceptionally talented athlete who devoted months to baseball training at LSU. The former two-sport star should really benefit from a professional weight-training regimen. The Giants will likely try Chad Jones at strong safety because of his hitting ability. He has the ball skills and athletic ability to hold up in coverage.
4th Round (#115) LB Phillip Dillard, Nebraska
Key Player(s) Passed On: CB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
Analysis: Dillard had a decent career at Nebraska, but was not a big playmaker. He has average instincts and does not have exceptional size or speed. PFDN evaluated him to be a reserve in the NFL. He fills a need for the Giants as a candidate at middle linebacker. Owusu-Ansah has more upside potential than Dillard. He was a big fish in a small pond at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, but also impressed at the combine. AOA is a 6 foot and 205 pound corner/safety with 4.4 speed. A team can never have too many cornerbacks. Aaron Ross has been injury-prone and Bruce Johnson will always be undersized. Owusu-Ansah would have injected more talent at the cornerback position and helped as a kick returner. New York went with need over talent with this selection.
5th Round (#147) G Mitch Petrus, Arkansas
Key Player(s) Passed On: TE Andrew Quarless
Analysis: Petrus is a tough and competitive blocker. He can make the Giants as a backup guard. Petrus will always struggle against quick defensive tackles, but it will not be for a lack of effort or preparation. Andrew Quarless represented a lot of value in the 5th round. His character concerns and the fact that he was in Joe Paterno's doghouse for most of his Penn State career likely soured the Giants.
6th Round (#184) DE Adrian Tracy, William & Mary
Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Jonathan Dwyer
Analysis: Tracy was a productive four-year starter at defensive end in college. New York will try to convert him into an outside linebacker because he is too small to be a defensive end in the NFL. Tracy anticipates well and made a lot of disruptive plays in college against lower-level competition. The Giants could use help at linebacker, but Tracy is a project. He has a nose for the football that bodes well for special teams. The Giants passed on Jonathan Dwyer and have unproven depth behind Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. The team still has hopes for Andre Brown after he missed his rookie season with a torn Achilles tendon. Brown has ability, but had injury issues in college, as well. Dwyer is a big back and could have pushed Brown. Dwyer also is not nearly as much of a project as Tracy is.
7th Round (#221) P Matt Dodge, East Carolina
Key Player (s) Passed On: TE Dorin Dickerson
Analysis: Jeff Feagles retired and Matt Dodge will likely be the new Giants' punter. Dodge has a strong leg (averaged almost 46 yards per punt last season with good hang-time) and can also kickoff. Dickerson represented excellent value this late in the draft, but is very similar to Travis Beckum.
Bottom Line: Jerry Reese had three goals this off-season: 1) fix the defense 2) fix the defense 3) fix the defense! The team is counting on three very talented former true juniors (Pierre-Paul, Joseph and Jones) to develop and become major contributors down the road. Pierre-Paul is the biggest risk because sometimes raw athleticism does not always transfer to the field. JPP could be another Jason Taylor if everything clicks for him. We think Chad Jones was the team's best selection from a value standpoint. The Giants did not find much help at linebacker and there does not appear to be any late round steals. Overall, the defense should be much improved between free agency and this draft class. However, the Giants have to hope that JPP is not a better athlete than football player.
Grade: B-
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