Pro Football Network gives the Giants Mason Graham at No. 3
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings is out with a seven-round mock draft, and in my view his early-round selections for the New York Giants leave a lot to be desired. Let’s go through it.
Round 1 (No. 3) — Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Cummings says:
Dexter Lawrence is as good as they come, but they can’t do it alone. With the top QBs off the board, the Giants add Mason Graham alongside Lawrence, instantly acquiring one of the scariest DT tandems in the league. Graham is an instant impact contributor.
Valentine’s View: This is the “quarterbacks are already gone” scenario. Cummings gave Cam Ward to the Tennessee Titans at No. 1 and Shedeur Sanders to the Cleveland Browns at No. 3. That leaves the Giants with the “best player on their board” option.
I like Graham as a player. I hate the pick of Graham in the No. 3 spot in the draft. First, I think WR/CB Travis Hunter (No. 4, New England Patriots) and edge Abdul Carter (No. 7, New York Jets) would be the more impactful picks in this spot.
Secondly, there is so much depth in the defensive tackle class I believe the play in this spot is a special talent like Hunter or Carter, then addressing the defensive tackle need later on.
Round 2 (No. 34) — Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Cummings says:
At 6’4”, 215 pounds, Jayden Higgins is the streamlined, reliable WR2 the New York Giants to fully free up Malik Nabers in the passing game.
Valentine’s View: I hate this pick, too. Yes, the Giants as of now have a need for additional assets at wide receiver. This, though, is the wrong priority for New York at this point in the draft. I big-bodied possession receiver is not the play at No. 34.
If this were my draft, this is where I would start considering defensive tackle. Cummings already did that, but there are still plenty of directions I would be looking to go in before considering a receiver. Cornerback, offensive line, safety, quarterback, maybe even edge is where I would be looking.
I’m going to table quarterback since none went in the second round of Cummings’ draft. That decision can come later.
LSU offensive tackle Emory Jones went No. 35 to the Titans, interior offensive lineman Gray Zabel went No. 55 to the Los Angeles Chargers, and interior offensive lineman Wyatt Milum went No. 60 to the Detroit Lions. Cornerbacks Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Benjamin Morris (Notre Dame), Darien Porter (Iowa State), Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State) were taken in Round 2.
As for defensive linemen, Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M, Derrick Harmon (Oregon), Kenneth Grant (Michigan) and Deone Walker (Kentucky) all went in the second round.
I think I would have chosen from that group of players before thinking about a wide receiver.
Round 3 (No. 65) — Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Cummings says:
Quinn Ewers has enough arm talent and creative capacity to be a future starter for the Giants if he can stay disciplined with his mechanics and rhythm.
Valentine’s View: Cummings is 0 for 3, in my view. I don’t like this pick, either. I have not done a full review of Ewers’ film yet, but I watched enough Texas football this past season to know I am not a fan. I don’t think Ewers has the mobility to be an effective NFL quarterback.
Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss, who went No. 68 to the Las Vegas Raiders, has to be the pick if the Giants are going quarterback with the board the way it is at No. 65. Jalen Milroe is also still on the board here.
Here are few other noteworthy players remaining on the board:
Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon; Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas; Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State; Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
The rest of the draft
Round 4 (No. 104) — Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
Love the selection of Pierce as a developmental, high-upside offensive tackle. I had a chance to speak with him recently. Here is our conversation.
Round 4 (No. 134) — Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Round 5 (No. 155) — Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Round 7 (No. 221) — Johnny Walker Jr., Edge, Missouri
Round 7 (No. 248) — Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
