Grades For The NFL Draft

I know we talked about this on the last episode of the program, but since I wasn't there I wasn't able to give my take on how the Giants and Jets did at the NFL Draft. Last week here on the blog I posted about what the local area teams need to do in the draft to try and fill their holes. Some of the picks were good, while others may leave fans scratching their heads. Some holes were filled, while others still need to be addressed. So here now is the grades for both the Jets and Giants for their respected drafts this year, at least as far as I'm concerned.

Big Blue had quite a few holes they needed to try and fill. They needed to try and pick up another receiver, offensive line help, help in the secondary and help with the pass rush. The Giants had seven picks to try and fills those holes. General Manager Jerry Reese did make a huge splash with their 12th overall pick when they took Wide Receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. from LSU. This was a great pick for the Giants. Beckham is really quick, to the point where he can make moves after the catch to get more yards, and he has the speed to be able to beat a defensive back downfield. Beckham will be a nice complement to Victor Cruz. Reese then upgraded the offensive line in the 2nd round, when he selected Weston Richburg, the center from Colorado State. Richburg is smart and agile, and he is equally good as a pass protector as he is in the running game. He is going to be a good pickup to help protect Eli, which is something that didn't really happen last year for the Giants.

Another solid pick the Giants made was their 4th round selection, which they used on Andre Williams, the Running Back from Boston College. According to what I've read and heard, he is a bruising running back, almost kind of a ground and pound style back, that could be utilized late in a ballgame to help hold a lead.  When it came to addressing the defense, it may be hit or miss with the Giants. The team used their third-round draft choice on Jay Bromley, the defensive tackle of Syracuse. From what I've been hearing, he is a versatile player, but he may have difficulty anchoring at the defensive tackle position, a position which the Giants have been looking to anchor down for a while now. Lets face facts the Giants pass rush hasn't been as feared as it once was.

The Giants used their final three picks in the draft on a linebacker and secondary help. They selected Nat Berhe, a Safety from San Diego State,  Devon Kennard, the Linebacker from Southern California and Bennett Jackson, the Cornerback from Notre Dame. Berhe doesn't offer the Giants much, as he is, according to some experts, an overachiever who lacks size and speed, which is going to be a problem. The best pick of the lot could be Kennard of USC. He may not crack the starting lineup but could be good in pass coverage and on special teams.

Sure the Giants did upgrade the offense with adding a threat receiver, a solid lineman and a pounding running back. On defense, there hasn't been much of an upgrade. So they sort of balance each other out. All in all, a very solid draft by the Giants.

Final Draft Grade: B

As for the New York Jets, they had more to work with, in regards to their picks. Gang Green had 12 picks to work with, trying to fill holes at wide receiver, tight end and in the secondary. For the fourth year in a row the Jets used their first round selections on defense, an area they really needed to address. This time, the Jets used their 18th overall pick to select Calvin Pryor, the Safety out of Louisville. Pryor is an explosive hitter with good but not great ball skills. Some could make the argument that there was a better option at safety but this is the guy the Jets felt could help them out better. Still a very solid pick. Same thing can be said for their 2nd round pick, Jace Amaro, the Tight End from Texas Tech. He will be a big help in the passing game from the tight end position. He is 6'5 and 265 pounds. The guy has good pass catching range, something that will be able to help out the Quarterback. It will be a nice complement to Jeff Cumberland at tight end.

The Jets used their 3rd round pick to help out the secondary, taking Dexter McDougle, the Cornerback from Maryland. He may not have had a super distinguished college career and is coming off a shoulder injury, but according to reports he has the excellent instincts and intangibles to play at this level. As afar as the receiving core goes, the Jets added two new possible targets for their quarterbacks to throw to. Fourth-round wide receivers Jaleh Sanders of Oklahoma and Shaq Evans of UCLA should be a solid duo. Sanders is fairly elusive, while Evans is a smart route runner who knows how to get open even if he is not a burner. But then again it's been a question mark for the Jets, as they have had a little trouble getting good receivers out of the draft, so it will be interesting to see what happens with these two guys possibly in the lineup.

The Jets did pick up some good pieces they needed to make the team better, that's for sure. Some of the picks could turn into big stars in this game, but some of the picks are leaving you scratching your head. There is still more work that needs to be done for this team to be a threat in the AFC East, that's a given. After this draft, the Jets may have pieces in place to build around, either by hanging onto current talent or possibly moving it in a deal. All in all it was a solid draft for the Jets.

Final Draft Grade: B

So there you have it, the draft grades for both the Giants and Jets for this year's draft!