Giants draft preview

At 3:00 the Miami Dolphins will kick off the NFL Draft by selecting Jake Long with the first pick.  It’ll be a few hours before the Giants make their pick with the 31st pick in the draft.  Who knows who will still be on the draft board by that point?  Let’s take a look at some of the prospects the Giants may pick.

Kenny Phillips, Safety, University of Miami

Kenny Phillips is my ideal pick.  I hope he’s there for the Giants at the 31st pick, as his stock has declined since the college football season came to a close.  There are a few teams interested in Phillips that pick before New York in the first round like the Eagles, Chargers, Packers, and other teams.  Philllips is an athletic safety that is a ballhawk.  He doesn’t make the big plays or the big hits, but I still believe he’s easily the best safety available in the draft.

Dan Connor, Linebacker, Penn State

Dan Connor is a two time All-American and the winner of the 2007 Chuck Bednarik award.  Connor is from Linebacker U, so why isn’t he higher on the draft board?  The Giants don’t really have a pressing need for a lineback now with Antonio Pierce and Mathias Kiwanuka filling two of the three starting spots.

Jerod Mayo, Linebacker, Tennessee

I’ve seen Mayo going to the Giants in a few mock drafts but I don’t think it’s going to happen.  Mayo is very athletic and could potentially fit our defensive scheme, but I feel any whole at linebacker can be filled with a pick later in the draft.

Tyrell Johnson, Safety, Arkansas State

Tyrell Johnson is climbing the draft board quickly and could end up being the Giants pick.  Johnson is now rated as the number one safety on some of the expert’s draft boards.  However, I still think Kenny Phillips is the Giants pick between the two.  Johnson is aggressive and athletic, but his agressiveness can hurt him at times.  His instincts are also questionable.

James Hardy, Wide Receiver, Indiana

James Hardy reminds me of Plaxico Burress.  Hardy is 6′7″ and weighs 220 lbs.  Hardy is a great athlete and would easily be my pick if the Giants had a glaring need for a receiver.  They don’t though, so this pick may be a bit far-fetched.  Steve Smith’s emergence in the playoffs may have destroyed any chance of this pick happening.