Loading ...After the departure of veteran leader Brandon Jacobs, the New York Giants are in the market for a running back. They have not spent a first-round selection on a running back since 2002 when Ron Dayne was selected in the 1st round.
The free agent market seems like a secondary option for the team at this point, with players like Joseph Addai, Justin Forsett, and even Brandon Jacobs still floating around, the Giants seem content on seeing how the draft plays out and then considering options on the free agent market in the event that nothing falls their way. As such, there are a number of options Big Blue can explore in the middle rounds, where they are expected to look.
Bernard Pierce, Temple:
There is an interesting connection going on here which is worth examining when one considers the Giants' options at running back. Newly hired assistant offensive line coach Matt Rhule coached the offensive line at Temple where he gained intimate knowledge of Pierce and his running style. Despite maybe not having the most elite competition, it is hard not to be impressed with Pierce and what he accomplished at Temple.
In three years at Temple he rushed for 3,570 yards and 53 touchdowns. He average nearly five and a half yards per carry and managed a staggering 27 touchdowns in his most recent season with the Owls.
This could be a player the Giants are looking to swoop in on during a middle or late round who represents real value at the position.
Lamar Miller, Miami:
Miller is a bona-fide stud at the running back position and may prove to be the steal of this years NFL Draft if he gets on the right team in a scheme that plays to his strengths. He is a one-cut runner who can find a lane and hit daylight extremely well.
Outside of Trent Richardson of Alabama, maybe no one works better in the open field than Miller does. He has the ability to make people look absolutely foolish in the open field.
However, he may not reach the final pick of the 2nd round. The man is certainly worth considering in the event that the Giants trade out of the 1st round and back into the 2nd.
Robert Turbin, Utah State:
A very interesting prospect in this years draft, Robert Turbin out of Utah State, has emerged in people's minds as a sleeper candidate after a solid combine.
As if his 2011 season (1,517 yards, 19 TDs, and 6.1 ypc) was not enough to prove that his ACL was 100% after tearing it in 2010, he did by performing well in every positional drill and showing great mobility in the better part of the running back drills.
At 5'10" 222, he could be be exactly the type of physical runner the Giants are looking for behind Ahmad Bradshaw.
Da'Rel Scott figures to be in the teams plans as more of a finesse and home run hitting type guy, but Turbin could bring back the balance to the running attack that Jacobs presented for some time as a Giant.
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Damn….Kyle has been churning these draft pieces out this week!
Kyle – nice piece. I was going to post while I saw your mock as being mostly realistic the one glaring position missing was RB. You have highlighted 2 of the under the radar RBs I like in Pierce and Turbin. I understand why Turbin is under the radar with his school, history or injuries and lack of huge production until his senior year. However, Pierce has been a big time player since his true freshman year. I think he’s a very good choice in middle rounds.
Repost:
GOAT56 says:
March 23, 2012 at 7:17 PM
Nice piece. A few weeks ago I would have said an emphatic no to drafting an undersized TE like Peterson. But after signing Bennett, the 4 TEs on our roster are all huge and bring similar skill sets. I think it’s more likely we draft a Peterson type of TE for some diversity. I know everyone automatically says we had Beckum and he wasn’t “used” right. I’m going on what I saw and nothing that we saw showed he was anything special. And being not just undersized but severely undersized receiving abilities didn’t make up for these deficiencies.
In addition, I would keep an eye on the Denver TE situation. They just signed Tamme and Dreessen today to bolster their TE position. But also currently on their roster are Julius Thomas, Cornelius Ingram and Virgil Green who when drafted were all highly coveted middle round TEs with big upside. Given that this TE draft class id considered weak, I could see acquiring one of these young TEs for 6th or 7th round pick if JR and company are still high on one of the TEs.
Report: NFLPA expects “significant” cap growth in 2014
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/25/report-nflpa-expects-significant-cap-growth-in-2014/
I was very back and fourth with us taking Pierce or not in the middle rounds of that mock. Ultimately I dont think we will take an OT as early as I had us doing it, unfortunate as that is in my mind.
I think its more likely we go WR or corner in 2, but in rd 1 I see us going best available athlete in the front 7 on defense.
Pierce is a definite round 3 possibility imo.
It is very common for us to go OL later on in the draft and just get a guy with good measurables as a project for Flaherty to develop.
If we take an OT I think it’s more likely to be a player who can be a swing OT. To me we would only take a Massie type prospect if we have already given up on Brewer.
I think drafting anything other than a later round CB is overkill unless we are moving a CB to safety.
GOAT56- Yeah I didnt have us going TE until like the 6th or 7th honestly. Its not a position we value all that much in the draft. Especially based on our scheme, why go TE higher than the 4th?
Adding to the RB situation, I could see Ware and Brown both being gone after preseason and a draftee battling with Scott for the #2 spot which as I now I dont think Scott has too tight a grip on.
Kyle – I think it all depends upon how we value the TEs available. I don’t think a prospect like Peterson makes it to 7th round. A TE with his athleticism I think gets selected by the 5th round. I think there’s a better chance of a TE like Allen sliding down to the 3rd round.
I do think TE is still a need. IMO Ballard and Beckum have to be treated as gone from our 2012 TE group. I think we need another receiving threat at TE. We will likely not make up MM by just WRs alone and TE will porbably play a larger role. The current TE group is not capable of an expanded role outside of Bennett.
RB wise I think we are drafting our #2, even #1B RB. At least that should be the hope. Which is why I think we could draft a RB as high as the 2nd round. That’s not likely but I feel it’s a possibility. I agree about both Ware and Brown being in danger of not making the roster. I also think because of that we could even draft 2 RBs. I’m not sure how much we can even expect out of Scott.
I agree completely.
I don’t think we touch a TE till very late … or UDFA.
Bennett will start and be backed by the Bear till Ballard and Beckum return … probably not till mid-season. They also seem to like Hopkins, who knows the system and could be the #3 for a while.
Adding a draft pick looks like overkill to me.
Of course value trumps all that logic.
I think it’s a mistake to assume we will be able to count on Ballard or Beckum at all in 2012. While I’m not saying they can’t return and help I’m saying we can’t expect it. Remember both players got injured in the SB so their recovery time is far shorter than normal. Ballard has injuries to both knees. Neither player was supperior to begin with so any loss of athleticism can greatly diminish their effectiveness. In addition, we lost MM so we will need more out of other positions like TE to make up for his loss. I don’t think last year’s overall TE production will be enough in 2012.
GOAT56
I think they HAVE to draft a Tight End. Only Not Fleener and not in the first or second round. I think they will be looking for a blocker. And I think round five.
Although David Paulson could be worth a look. He has good hands, and they may be able to turn him into a blocker. Maybe Adrien Robinson, Beau Reliford,
Cory Harkey. I think they need/want a blocker first type player.
And I am sure they want him to be right at 255/260.
Actually, I disagree that we need a blocker. Look a our current TEs, all of them are blockers. If anything we need a receiver at the TE position.
I think the determination should be made as to what type of back the Giants want/need. Physical one cut type? Or a feature guy who can press Bradshaw for playing time? Or maybe a kid who can line up anywhere and cause problems.
And given the Giants may likely take this back in the third round, who is out there who is by far better that who the Giants have. With few exceptions, the guys I’m listing will not make it to the third round. Any of these guys are way better that what the Giants have after Bradshaw IMHO.
Lemar Miller:
Size and cut back ability. He seems to have good vision and he looks to set up his blocking. Enough size to be a good blocker. Shifty, good burst.
Chris Polk:
Similar to Miller only much faster and is willing to be physical. Doubt he makes it to 32, but you never know. Oh yeah, the Giants wont take him even if he is around at 32. Oh well………….
David Wilson:
One cut physical down hill runner with some speed. Will make a move outside, then will put his head down and plow. Sounds like a Giant type running back.
Not sure about his ball skills.
Doug Martin:
Can run, catch and block. Fast enough and instinctive. Looks like “Pocket Hercules” 2.0 (IMHO)
Bernard Pierce:
As smooth and natural a runner available in this draft. Seriously underrated. Has 4.49 speed, long effortless stride once he gets by the line. He look like he can run as fast as he needs to to score. Has good size at 217 quick first step and change of direction. Killer back.
Chris Rainey:
Not only does he return kicks and punts, he blocks them too. A 4.3 40 the kid can fly. He changes direction on the run like an insect, I mean insane. He has serious hands/ball skills and can line up at any skill position on offense.
The only weakness (IMHO) is lack of size for blocking. But get him the ball in space and he will score. Brian Westbrook the second?
There are more, Pead, Ceer, Turbin, Gray. However, are the Giants looking to replace Jacobs in kind? Or will they evolve the position into one that gives Eli a ground and air weapon in the same player?
I think a few of these RBs will make it to the 3rd round. RB is just not a valued position in the NFL nowadays. Richardson could even fall outside of the TE. Look at how many teams need a RB going into draft. It’s not about how good of RBs these players are (though I haven’t seen anyone else describe Polk as faster than miller). Look at some mock drafts, now that the bengals signed the law firm most have no RBs going in the first after Richardson. How many teams have second round level type of needs a RB? I doubt we will see 5 RBs going in the second. I think a RB we value as top 5 will be there at our pick in the 3rd round. Also, I think a RB we value as top 2 could be there at 63.
Chris Polk is not faster then Lamar Miller. Theres also no way he goes in the first…
TE …
We have Bennett just signed, and with an understanding that he’ll see a lot of snaps. Ballard was a solid, workman-like TE. Beckum … the undersized H-back type we don’t utilize all that much … and on the PS is Hopkins who they also like.
TEs … for us … are traditional. This means they have to block … block good … block often. This goes way back. Remember how Shockey complained? Way back.
So … it’s not logical to think that now we’re going to throw to the TE more to compensate for losing Manningham. We don’t have a TE-friendly offense, and I doubt that changes much any time soon. What we’re more likely to do is try to replace Mario.
Also … you have to realize that whenever you use a draft pick then there’s an ‘opportunity cost’. We’ll be weaker in the area that would have gotten that pick. One less RB … one less LB … one less CB … etc etc.
If we take a TE then it’ll probably be mid-round … he’ll be a good blocker … or someone will drop and be too high a value to pass up.
Yep
Understand that that same coaches we have know threw the ball a lot more to the TEs when we had a dynamic TE. Our coaches are way more flexabile than what is being assumed. They use the talent that we have on board. We have’t had elite TE play since Shockey left. We are willing to get by with lessor TE talent because we do see many position as more important. But make no mistake about it we drafted Beckum to be MUCH better than he has been. The style of TE Beckum provides wasn’t a mistake or not something we wouldn’t use, the choice of player was the only mistake.
I don’t know about many of these backs but I’m sticking with A WR and a pass-rusher among the very early picks, with an O-lineman, a safety, and a running back as the next order of priorities.