NFL Draft

A little off topic (but really what the hell is on topic, this is my blog...), but in reference to the NFL draft this past weekend - Giants handled themselves quite nicely for a team without a first-, fifth- or seventh- round pick. Picked up a former top-10 prospect (Webster) at the corner position out of LSU who'd fallen into the second round due to injury concerns, which makes him a huge potential value pick, but just as easily could result in a bust. If he plays as well as hoped for, Will Allen should be on the short list (read: the entire list) to be leaving after this season, and Webster should faithfully fulfill his starting role. Third round we picked up a DE from Notre Dame, last name Tuck. He's apparently pretty fast off the line, and is a potential starter in a year or two, whenever Strahan vacates the premises. With Osi Umenyiora and Mr. Tuck manning the two DE positions, I'd be fairly confident in us getting our fair share of sack opportunities. Fourth round we picked up a big (read: huge) back out of Division I-AA Southern Illinois. As the Star-Ledger says,

It's no secret Giants coach Tom Coughlin prefers big running backs, but this seems a bit drastic.

With their first selection on the second day of the draft yesterday (No. 9 in the fourth round and 110th overall) the Giants took Brandon Jacobs from Division I-AA Southern Illinois -- all 6-4 and 267 pounds of him.

Jacobs is the heir-apparent to Ron Dayne. Aside from their similarly large sizes, I hope the similarities end there, and Jacobs can actually establish himself as an RB capable of gaining the tough yards. He's played alongside Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams at Auburn before transferring to SIU and getting his own PT, so he seems capable of picking up the 3rd and 1's.

7th round we picked up another DE (can't have too many, ever - look what happened this past season...) I'm very happy with the moves we've made this past offseason. Picked up potentially the highest-rated wide receiver free agent in Plax, an MLB coming off a sick season in Antonio Pearce, a nice addition to the OL in Kareem McKenzie (which will allow Pettigout to move back to his natural position), a new kicker, and these players in the draft, all of whom have huge potential upsides. Now, we're clearly still nowhere near the level of the NFC elite, but with a big year out of Eli and Plax making some sick plays and a return to form by Strahan, we may be able to surprise some people and make our way into the playoffs. Regardless, I'm much more optimistic than I was at this point last season, and certainly moreso than the year before.

What about the other teams in the draft? Vikes did a nice job, as did the Cards. And holy shit, what's going to happen if Carlos Rogers stays healthy, Joey Harrington learns to throw, and the Lions receiving corps runs over the NFC. With the addition of Mike Williams, who will complement Roy and Carlos, the Lions have the potential to be the sickest wide receiving corps...ever? Before the draft, my inclination was that Mike Williams was the top WR in the draft. Sure, he's had a year off, but his 2003 season was amongst the better in NCAA history. Braylon Edwards may be faster, and Troy Williamson may be faster than anyone else in the draft, but my money is on Mike Williams as the #1 rookie WR this year.

Any thoughts on other teams?