GBN Draft Report: Pre-Combine Big Board Update (2/22)

Defensive Tackle
17 Kayden McDonald
19 Peter Woods
26 Caleb Banks
31 Christian Miller
36 Lee Hunter
52 Xzavian Harris
59 Darrell Jackson

Linebacker
2 Arvell Reese
6 Sonny Styles
30 CJ Allen
38 Anthony Hill
47 Jack Golday
53 Deonate Lawson

Offensive Guard
15 Vega Ioane
44 Emmanuel Pregnon
64 Chase Bisontis

Offensive Tackle
8 Francis Mauigoa
12 Spencer Fano
18 Caleb Lomu
25 Monroe Freeling
33 Kadyn Proctor
35 Caleb Tiernan
41 Max Ihenacher
55 Gennings Dunker
58 Blake Miller
63 Austin Barber

Wide Receiver
9 Carnell Tate
11 Jordyn Tyson
13 Makai Lemon
22 Denzel Boston
32 KC Concepcion
37 Zachariah Branch
39 Chris Bell
46 Chris Brazzell
51 Germi Bernard
57 Malachi Fields

I'd go with Styles and the better of an OL or run stopping DT (like Mikller) in Rnd 2

and worth #5, I just need some convincing. The arm tackling is what's throwing me off. Anyone have a full suite of film on him? Not just the "highlight" reels or where i can get? I've searched...

In comment 17108478 EJNNJ said:

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and worth #5, I just need some convincing. The arm tackling is what's throwing me off. Anyone have a full suite of film on him? Not just the "highlight" reels or where i can get? I've searched...

dont care how he tackles. he literally didnt miss one tackle all year.

and then come back with someone like Anthony Hill in Rd 2. I think that would be a homerun for the defense.

if he is there @ 5.

As usual, thanks for the plug MS; always appreciated. Also wanted to reaffirm that we don't necessarily rank players ourselves; rather we try and figure out, at least as best as we can, how the NFL has them ranked and right now it appears that Styles has moved into that 5-10 range which would obviously put him in range for the Giants.

I'd also note that as part of the post noting the big board changes we noted that:

"in talking with our sources around the league one gets the sense that there is an emerging top 4 prospects for the upcoming draft including Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, who of course is expected to be the first player selected, Ohio State LB Arvell Reese, Texas Tech DE David Bailey and Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love. One also gets the sense that there is a solid second grouping just behind that first quartet including WR Carnell Tate, LB Sonny Styles and S Caleb Downs of Ohio State and G/T Francis Mauigoa and DE Reuben Bain of Miami. How that latter group is ranked 5 thru 9, though, really seems to depend largely on who one talks to."

And while a lot of Giants fans seem to be focusing primarily on this or that position with the 5th pick, Harbaugh himself has said he's never had a pick that high before and what he wants to do is get a really get a good, impactful player. Presumably, in that context he'd really like to get one of those top 4; failing that the big question will be do the Giants themselves have one of those other players clearly graded ahead of the others. If they do, he'll be your guy, but we likely won't know that until April 23rd (which for the record is basically 2 months away as we speak!) and we may not know much more when it comes to the Giants until they actually make that pick.

I would also say that looking at that second tier group, if that's what it comes to for the Giants, they're going to get a shot at a good player who's going to address an issue they'd like addressed.

So you're saying we pick 5th in a draft where there are four clear top players.

Why am I not surprised?

In comment 17108526 Eric from BBI said:

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So you're saying we pick 5th in a draft where there are four clear top players. Why am I not surprised?

Based on some broad assumptions I've been playing around with (before Free Agency), I think the one "Top 4" prospect on GBN's Big Board -- who may be there at #5 -- is Jeremiyah Love. And if the Giants actually take the Notre Dame running back, maybe your web site will blow up the entire Internet:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders
Most likely QB Fernando Mendoza (unless they trade with Jets.)

#2 New York Jets
They have Breece Hall so they won't go with Jeremiyah Love.
Desperate for a QB but probably won't select one with Mendoza off the Board.
They are pretty desperate along defensive front, so maybe they go Arvell Reese at #2.

#3 Arizona Cardinals
They are a mess along both sides of the LOS.
Maybe they go EDGE/DE David Baily here.

#4 Tennessee Titans
They are desperate for a pass rush and desperate for WR
Maybe they go Reuben Bane (Miami) or Carnell Tate (Ohio State).

So, maybe, that leaves Jeremiyah Love.

In comment 17108526 Eric from BBI said:

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So you're saying we pick 5th in a draft where there are four clear top players. Why am I not surprised?

i disagree. i bet if you polled 10 GMs that dont need a QB and asked them who they would they take you would probably get 8 different players.

In comment 17108526 Eric from BBI said:

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So you're saying we pick 5th in a draft where there are four clear top players. Why am I not surprised?

Are there any players blind in one eye?

In comment 17108526 Eric from BBI said:

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So you're saying we pick 5th in a draft where there are four clear top players. Why am I not surprised?

I have my doubts about Reese and Mendoza looks like someone who could do well in the Shannahan/Kubiak system a la Mac Jones or Sam Darnold, but is otherwise limited. I kinda agree with Sy that on pure talent alone the only player who might grade clearly higher than anyone else is Love. Maybe it is me, but I always get concerned with people like Bailey. The sack numbers are there, but he is not big enough to play 4-3 DE and there are not many tackles other than his Sacks/TFL.

In comment 17108494 BigBlueDawg56 said:

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In comment 17108478 EJNNJ said: Quote: and worth #5, I just need some convincing. The arm tackling is what's throwing me off. Anyone have a full suite of film on him? Not just the "highlight" reels or where i can get? I've searched... dont care how he tackles. he literally didnt miss one tackle all year.

Very valid point. Given his size and speed explosive/athleticism traits I'd think he can hit big as well, I just haven't seen it on tape.

In comment 17108526 Eric from BBI said:

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So you're saying we pick 5th in a draft where there are four clear top players. Why am I not surprised?

Indeed, it does seem to be our luck! At the same time, I don't really see this as 1996 redux. For starters, its not really clear that any of the top 4 guys are necessarily great fits. They don't need a QB; there questions whether Reese's best value is as a Parsons/Carter type clone; and they already have three edges, although getting Bailey would likely open a trade for Thibo and maybe recouping that missing 3rd. And Love is a RB and would we really want to go there. My guess is they would if it came to it, and MS is correct, he's the only one of the 4 who looks like they could slip to 5, at least at this time.

The other point is they guys we have been talking about - Styles, Tate, Mauigoa, Downs etc- are the guys we are still going to be talking about and the big question may ultimately be do the Giants themselves have one of those guys - most likely Downs or Styles - rated significantly higher than the others.

Just a couple of other comments. One, it doesn't appear that there is necessarily that big a gap between the top tiers this year. And maybe most importantly, the Giants are going to get a shot at some very good prospects with that 5th pick!

In comment 17108518 Chris684 said:

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if he is there @ 5.

Just by watching what I see in games, I a grabbing BAIN if available
He has wrecked some stuff in games
Terrell Suggs vibes
Think JH would love him
If we grab him, maybe package KT and a 5/6 for a 3rd
Trade down 10-12 spots in rd 2 for another 3rd
Next 3 picks after Bain Oline, wr,lb, or cb in any order.

seen a "big board" with Bryce Lance and Lane rated higher than Omar Cooper. That's certainly different.

I know Ponds is not ideal size, but if he runs well at the Combine and/or his pro day, he might sneak into day one.