New York Giants Mock Draft
By Ian Taubin
NEW YORK GIANTS MOCK DRAFT
Round 1 Pick 19: Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
Round 2 Pick 52: Marvin Austin, DT North Carolina
Round 3 Pick 83: Casey Matthews, LB Oregon
Round 4 Pick 117: Luke Stocker, TE Tennessee
Round 6 Pick 185: Rashad Carmichael, CB Virginia Tech
Round 6 Pick 198: Johnny White, RB North Carolina
Round 6 Pick 202: Greg McElroy, QB Alabama
Round 7 Pick 221: Byron Stingily, OT Louisville
DRAFT PICK ANALYSIS:
Round 1 Pick 19: Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
Castonzo is tough as nails! He moves like a tight end, but blocks like a beast with unlimited upside. Castonzo had a great week at the Senior Bowl, even though he didn't play very well in the actual Senior Bowl Game. He is the top OT on my draft board and when you can get the top OT in the NFL Draft at #19, it is very difficult to pass up. Castonzo was also a Team Captain at Boston College last season and Jerry Reese loves drafting former college captains to bring that leadership to the Giants. This is a very safe pick and he could wind up anchoring the offensive line for Big Blue for many years to come.
CBS Sports Analysis:
Pass blocking: "Good initial quickness out of his stance. Gains depth efficiently in his kick-slide. Plays with good balance, moving on the balls of his feet with his knees bent and shoulders square. Shows good lateral agility to slide and mirror the pass rusher. Appears to be quick enough for the cut-block on quick throws. Prototypical long arms to grasp the pass rusher and has improved his strength to control. Can struggle with leverage and be walked back into the pocket by short, stout pass rushers able to get into his chest. Lacks the sand in his pants to anchor sufficiently." (By CBS Sports)
Run blocking: "Gets a good initial push, but loses the leverage battle quickly and struggles to sustain. Gives good effort and has made significant improvement in this area over the past three seasons. Has a tendency to get his hands too far outside the numbers, but with greater strength would have more control. Relies on positioning and technique and lacks the power to drive defenders off the ball, despite improvement in this area. Flashes some leg drive when he gets under the pads of an opponent." (By CBS Sports)
If Castonzo is drafted, the next best option would be Mike Pouncey, C/G University of Florida.
Round 2 Pick 52: Marvin Austin, DT University of North Carolina
Marvin Austin was unquestionably the best player on the field at the East-West Shrine Game. Unfortunately, Austin has been shadowed by his off field image more than his ability to dominate an offense as Austin was suspended last season for taking benefits from boosters. He was projected as a top 15 pick with tremendous power, explosion and great footwork. If Cofield leaves as a free agent, Austin could become an instant starter alongside Chris Canty on Week 1 vs. Washington.
CBS Sports Analysis:
Pass rush: "Good initial burst off the snap. Strong hands to grasp and discard the blocker and demonstrates good use of swim and rip moves to gain clearance. Good straight-line speed, agility and balance to track the quarterback. Good use of leverage and boasts a powerful leg drive for the bull rush. Cognizant of passing lanes and will get his hands up. Not always disciplined or assignment sound. Anticipates the snap count and will occasionally be drawn offside." (By CBS Sports)
Run defense: "Quick enough to slip through a gap and disrupt the timing of running plays. Good size and power to control his gap responsibility. Has a tendency to play too upright, negating his own power. Strong, active hands to disengage from the block as the ball carrier nears. Reacts quickly to the attempted cut block, sprawling and re-gaining his balance quickly by pushing off cutting offensive lineman. Good hustle laterally and downfield. Good vision and footwork to keep his feet while making his way to the ball carrier." (By CBS Sports)
If Austin is drafted, I would take Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech.
Round 3 Pick 83: Casey Matthews, MLB Oregon
Casey Matthews is no longer just a pedigree from the same family tree of NFL All-Pro, Clay Matthews. He's now defined himself as a defensive juggernaut capable of not only keeping the QB in check, but also able to shut down the run game. Matthews possesses great football intelligence. One of his biggest accomplishments during his college career was help keep Cam Newton in check during the National Title Game last season. Matthews was definitely the MVP of the defense that game. He does not have great speed, but he does have a solid burst off the snap and will never shy away from contact. He is a very good tackler with excellent awareness on defense. He would immediately fill a void on special teams and has all the potential to become a starting MLB on the Giants in time. Matthews is projected as a 4th-5th round pick, but I wouldn't let him get past the 3rd Round. He brings attitude and fire that the Giants have been lacking on Defense over the last few years.
Casey Matthews LEVELS Oregon State QB http://youtu.be/Cpj1gZapEMI?hd=1
If Matthews is taken, I would take Michael Gilchrist, CB/FS Clemson.
Round 4 Pick 117: Luke Stocker, TE Tennessee
I have never been a big fan of the inconsistent Kevin Boss. Is Boss a solid contributor, Yes. Is he a difference maker? NO. Stocker, on the other hand, has soft hands with very long arms to grab those highly thrown balls that Eli Manning has a tendency to throw. He is a tough worker who is a team-first player. Stocker has been touted as a TE that does not have that WOW factor, but he shows a ton of potential. He has all of the intangibles to take his game to the next level and has modeled his game after Jason Witten, who has been a Giant killer since the day he was drafted.
Inside Look at Luke Stocker
http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d81f04133/First-Draft-Luke-Stocker
If Stocker is taken, I would take Shareece Wright, CB USC.
Round 6 Pick 185: Rashad Carmichael, CB Virginia Tech
With Aaron Ross and Terrell Thomas set to become free agents after next season, don't expect the Giants to keep both. Big Blue will need to retool the cornerback position and what better way to do so then with a speedy and talented cornerback that reads routes well and plays under control. He is not ready to be an every down back yet, but could turn into a great nickel cornerback in the 6th round, that BLEEDS value. He does not have the size and strength to matchup against the Dez Bryant's or Jeremy Maclin's of the world, but because of his speed, he has the potential to be great in zone schemes.
If Carmichael is taken, I would take Jake Kirkpatrick, C TCU.
Round 6 Pick 198: Johnny White, RB University of North Carolina
If you have seen Johnny White run over the past season at UNC, you will notice that his running style is similar to Ahmad Bradshaw. He shows absolutely no fear and keeps his legs moving at all times. He is a fantastic special teams player, specifically as a gunner. As a former cornerback and wide receiver, he seems to find the open lane and makes defensive players look foolish. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, which has been a big issue for the Giants since Tiki Barber was in the backfield. The only reason White is not projected in the top 3 rounds is his size; he's only 5'10" and 210 lbs. However, you cannot deny talent and this kid can play. Watch the highlight run vs. Miami below to see what this kid can do.
Johnny White Draft Profile: http://youtu.be/esDCiBYRnQE?hd=1
Johnny White Highlight Run vs. Miami:http://youtu.be/n21LdmFyFMo?hd=1
If White is taken, I would take Ronald Johnson, WR USC.
Round 6 Pick 202: Greg McElroy, QB Alabama
All Greg McElroy knows is winning. He won a National Championship in High School and at Alabama. He does not have the strongest arm and is not a big body in the pocket but he has poise, he can be pinpoint accurate, and he also has great footwork. Similar to Chad Pennington, McElroy has the ability to make all of the NFL throws but does not have a cannon of arm. The one main negative about McElroy is that he has a hitch in his throwing motion and has been trying to change that since he finished last season. The Giants have been down this road in the past with trying to change the throwing motion of Andre Woodson and it did not end well. Thankfully, McElroy is different. He is willing to sit back and learn from Eli Manning and make all necessary changes to become a legit backup QB in the NFL. This is a low risk draft pick and one that I would definitely make if I was Jerry Reese.
If McElroy is taken, I would take Pat Devlin, QB Delaware.
Round 7 Pick 221: Byron Stingily, OT Louisville
Byron Stingily is a very raw OT prospect. He spent two years at junior college and was a very undersized lineman. He transferred to Louisville after his sophomore season and during this redshirt season, he gained 65lbs and started to turn a lot of heads with his strength and athleticism. He is still learning the position, but as a 7th round draft pick, and with a need for depth on the Giants offensively line, why not take a chance on raw talent and hope for the best.
If Stingily is taken, I would take Anthony Sherman, FB UConn.
New York Giants 2011 Draft Board Round By Round
1st Round (Pick 19)
1. Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
2. Mike Pouncey, C/G Florida
3. Tyron Smith, OT USC
4. Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
5. Nate Solder, OT Colorado
6. Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
7. Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
2nd Round (Pick 52)
1. Marvin Austin, DT North Carolina
2. Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech
3. Akeem Ayers, LB UCLA (will have to trade up in 2nd to draft him)
4. Brandon Harris, CB Miami
5. Orlando Franklin, OG Miami
6. Jon Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
3rd Round (Pick 83)
1. Casey Matthews, LB Oregon
2. Marcus Gilchrist, CB/FS Clemson
3. Shane Vereen, RB California
4. Jerrel Jernigan, WR Troy
5. Allen Bailey, DE Miami
4th Round (Pick 117)
1. Luke Stocker, TE Tennessee
2. Shareece Wright, CB USC
3. Virgil Green, TE Nevada
4. Greg Salas, WR Hawaii
5. Ahmad Black, SS Florida
6. Delone Carter, RB Syracuse
6th Round (Pick 185)
1. Rashad Carmichael, CB Virginia Tech
2. Jake Kirkpatrick, C TCU
3. Buster Skrine, CB Tennessee Chattanooga
4. Derrell Smith, LB Syracuse
6th Round (Pick 198)
1. Johnny White, RB North Carolina
2. Ronald Johnson, WR USC
3. Denarius Moore, WR Tennessee
4. Dion Lewis, RB Pittsburgh
6th Round (Pick 202)
1. Greg McElroy, QB Alabama
2. Pat Devlin, QB Delaware
3. Noel Divine, RB/KR West Virginia
4. Keith Williams, OG Nebraska
7th Round (Pick 221)
1. Byron Stingily, OT Louisville
2. Anthony Sherman, FB UConn
3. Owen Marecic, FB Stanford
4. Devon Torrence, CB Ohio State
Undrafted Free Agents:
1. Kris Durham, WR Georgia
2. Akeem Dent, ILB Georgia
3. Mark Herzlich, ILB Boston College
4. Keith Darbut, LB Baldwin-Wallace
5. Ryan Hill, CB University of Miami
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