Entering the night, the Giants had a couple of players hoping to select at Pick 10 if the rest of the draft shook up as they planned. Balancing out the off-the-field issues and weaknesses in each player’s game, New York compiled all its notes together just to fall short of what they had hoped would happen with two of its most coveted players going before it was their time to bat
Needing some help upfront on the offensive side of the ball, Jack Conklin of Michigan State quickly became a favorite in the New York draft room but only for a short period of time due to Tennessee trading back into the top 10 with Cleveland to select the mauling offensive tackle with the eighth overall selection.
By: Christian Page
Having one of its most coveted players off the board just two spots earlier, New York moved on to its next highly regarded player in Georgia’s high ceiling edge defender and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. Seeing a lack in pass rushing off the edge with not a strong linebacking corps either, Floyd would fit in nicely giving the Giants something it lacked a season ago.
As the narrative of the NFL Draft continues, Chicago selected Floyd in another trade as the Bears swapped picks with the cornerback needy Tampa Bay Buccaneers from its 11th spot. Literally, the Giants’ top two coveted players were taken from them right before their eyes.
Reading reports, the Giants’ backup plan was all but decided in how they would address its first round selection. Just signing former Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins to a large contract in the free agency season, it came by surprise when the front office signed the card with Eli Apple’s name on it.
Now knowing how the Giants viewed the redshirt sophomore cornerback in a class full of high-caliber secondary playmakers, New York pulled the trigger over the highly sought after Vernon Hargreaves III. Apple thrived at Ohio State playing both man and zone coverages as a two-year starter. His length is desirable and can be an effective tool if learning how to play with better technique and eliminating his overly aggressive style of play.
With the most recent signing of Jenkins accompanied by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Apple will be a quick candidate to serve as the primary nickelback serving to his strength as a versatile playmaking defensive back. Wanting more elements to create a big and physical secondary, the new selection gives the Giants just that. Though being a developmental product, Apple shows the upside to become a solid cornerback at the next level with appropriate length and the willingness to break down and tackle though it still needs to be refined.
Even with the Giants’ defensive staff comfortable with two all-star quality starting cornerbacks, having that third rotational player, either at nickelback or a true corner, is essential in today’s pass heavy game. Also, being able to tackle in open space is a tremendous asset to have while facing off against more spread offenses with more zone coverage looks on defense in the NFL today. Apple shows the willingness in that department but is considered just an average tackler at best needing some more development from an NFL coaching staff.
I do not agree with New York’s assessment on Apple ranking him as a better player than Hargreaves, Houston’s William Jackson and even Clemson’ Mackensie Alexander, but I can say the selection does make sense when breaking it down from a scheme perspective with Apple becoming a prominent nickelback if his separation and tackling skills continue to improve.
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