Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

1^st Round (#32) RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech

2^nd Round (# 63) WR Rueben Randle, LSU

3rd Round (#94) CB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech

4^th Round (#127) TE Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati

4^th Round (#131) OT Brandon Mosley, Auburn

6^th Round (#201) OT Matt McCants, UAB

7^th Round (#239) DT Markus Kuhn, North Carolina State

Analysis of Notable Selections:

David Wilson: The Giants are thin at running back with really only the oft-injured Ahmad Bradshaw left to carry the load.  The Wilson selection fills a need.  However, the team also has a need at right tackle and guard.  New York passed on Amini Silatolu and Cordy Glenn.  Big Blue may have been better off taking a talented and versatile offensive lineman like Cordy Glenn and a running back (Lamar Miller, Robert Turbin or Bernard Pierce) later. 

David Wilson runs hard, but he is better running to the outside than between the tackles.  He is an average goal line runner and has to improve his ball security.  Wilson is going to have to learn to quickly find small creases and head North-South in the NFL.  Does he have the vision to do this?  New York obviously thinks so, but time will tell.

Rueben Randle: This pick fills another area of need as Mario Manningham left via free agency.  Randle is a big receiver who has a good feel for running a variety of routes.  His production was curtailed at LSU due to a very conservative offense and poor quarterback play.  Randle could very well be a better pro than he was as a collegiate player.  The former LSU standout will benefit from having a quarterback of Eli Manning’s caliber deliver the ball to him.  Rueben Randle should be a fine addition to New York’s receiving corps.

Jayron Hosley: New York again finds a major talent available for them.  Hosley is undersized, but he does not know it.  It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog that matters.  Hosley is extremely competitive, quick and has terrific ball skills.  Hosley is also a dangerous punt returner.  So why was Hosley still available late in the 3^rd round?  The former Hokie tested positive for marijuana at the combine and his slight build hurt his draft stock.  Hosley can be a fine 3^rd corner for New York.  He is the type to enter the league with a chip on his shoulder.  Jayron Hosley was one of the better value picks in the 2012 NFL draft.

Adrien Robinson: The Giants have been very successful recently in finding productive tight ends late in the draft (Kevin Boss) or via free agency (Jake Ballard).  Adrien Robinson did not catch many passes in Cincinnati ‘s offense (29 career receptions for 474 yards (15.0 per) and 5 touchdowns), but he has a big frame (6’ 4” and 265 lbs) and good athleticism.  Robinson can block and the Giants’ fine tight ends coach, Mike Pope, will work on turning him into another surprise contributor.  Robinson fills a need because Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum both suffered serious knee injuries in the Super Bowl.    Many thought the Giants should target Coby Fleener in the 1^st round to fill the tight end need.  However, New York wants a tight end that can block.  Fleener did not block well enough for the Giants to spend a high pick on him. You have to trust Jerry Reese and his scouts’ eyes on this pick.  They may have found a solid contributor with some seasoning in the 4^th round.

Brandon Mosley: The Giants wanted to get younger on the offensive line.  Mosley played left and right tackle at a major SEC program.  He is a former tight end and basketball player so Mosley has decent feet.  He must gain size and strength to play in the NFL, but that can come in time.  Mosley was a decent developmental offensive tackle who New York added with an eye on the future.

2012 NFL Draft Grade: B

Bottom Line: The Giants picked a couple of bargains in Reuben Randle and Jayron Hosley.  It remains to be seen whether David Wilson is a lead back in the NFL.  If he is then this draft class is quite good.  New York frequently finds steals on the 3^rd day of the draft and Adrien Robinson and Brandon Mosley have a chance to develop. Big Blue mostly builds through the draft and the 2012 class should help them this year and down the road.