The New York Giants wasted little time in the off-season in 2021 over third-year quarterback Daniel Jones with weapons to maximize last year’s offense in 31st place (in terms of meters and points). The signing of Kenny Golladay, John Ross and Kyle Rudolph offers more reliable options than the giants had in 2020, with Ross bringing an explosive element to the group. the addition of Devontae Booker gives the Giants a good backing for Saquon Barkley.
Many Giants fans are delighted, as they should, hoping they can translate these additions to victories on the roster. Concerns over the Giants offense have now shifted to the offensive line (as it was not previously a problem?). With the deduction of the Giants’ best attacking linebacker, Kevin Zeitler, the attacking waiting position remains a question mark.
Shane Lemieux, a rookie from Oregon in the fifth round who was in Oregon last season, was a good blocker for the Giants while on the bench after returning with COVID-19. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.
Nevertheless, the two do not raise much hope for the domestic offensive line, nor does the addition of veteran guard Zach Fulton. In the young career of Daniel Jones, according to PFF’s DPR rank, it has been put under pressure 429 times. An argument can be made that Jones sometimes keeps football a little too long, but anyone who watches a giant game can see that there is too much pressure in the backfield as soon as the fullback hits his back foot. That needs to change.
The Giants can look to EDGE in the first round; there is a possibility that they will stay at number 11 and choose their EDGE with the highest ranking; whether it’s Azeez Ojulari of Georgia, Jaelan Phillips of Miami or Kwity Paye of Michigan. New York can also follow the best player route and follow one of the Alabama receivers, Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith. If the Giants go in that direction, and take a chance on Oregon’s Penei Sewell or Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater, the team could invest in Day 2 of the 2021 NfL draft in their domestic offensive line. Here are five names that can make sense.
Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
The star player was part of the 2018 Joe Moore winning unit, and his brilliance was perhaps the brightest. Humphrey took every collegiate turn in the middle position, making the transition to protect a little more projection; Humphrey, however, is smart, has a struggling background (understands leverage and knows how to manipulate bodies), and he is a two-time captain.
Humphrey uses his hand well to fit in and has fluid hips to turn open and close while showing good foot speed to mirror, where necessary, in the fit protection. Also showed impressive athletic tests during his pro day:
Humphrey’s explosiveness and dexterity in the lower body shows a player who can kick and pull when asked, which will be essential for what the Giants want to do with their guards.
Ideally, Nick Gates, the first-time center of the Giants 2020, would stay in position and Humphrey would move on to waiting, but having the versatility does not hurt, does it? Gates has played at a fixed level for the Giants in the past; if Humphrey fit best there, I would be open to moving Gates to one of the waiting positions, which would enable Lemieux and Hernandez to fight it for the remaining starting spot. The addition of a player like Humphrey will make the offensive line unit much better. Whether it is at the guard or in the middle position can be determined in the training camp.
Landon Dickerson, Alabama
If this player had a clean health condition, we would not have talked about him on Day 2. His 2020 film was insane before tearing his left ACL in the SEC Championship game against the Florida Gators. He’s huge for a guard at 6 feet 6, but he uses his 10 ⅜ “hands very well. This is one of the reasons why his grip strength and hand stopper are so effective.
Dickerson played at every position along the Crimson Tide’s offensive line, but was mostly used at center. I’m not that worried about his transition to guard in the NFL. Dickerson uses those dynamic hands combined with excellent footwork, strength and has a very good athletic ability for a man of his size.
The concern with Dickerson is not just the torn ACL from December. He has a fairly extensive injury history with his lower body. Dickerson had significant ankle injuries in 2017 and 2018, and the former had to undergo surgery. He also tore his right ACL when he was in Florida in 2016. Only his 2019 season was completed without serious injury. I understand the red flags and it should be taken seriously in the evaluation, but this player has a good bond, is loved among his teammates and has true leadership qualities. He sounds like a Joe Judge-type player.
Banks is a 6-5 £ 325 guard who has experience in both positions in college. Its massive extent is evident in the inner parts of the offense. His wide body and his ability to generate power from his bottom half will make him excellent as a game guard who can block the defenders and just disappear to create inside stormy lanes.
Banks are powerful at the point of attack and are actually doing a good job of lowering its high center of gravity to alleviate balance problems. His technique does not always look good on ACE and DEUCE block climbs, but his height and broad stature have given the defender’s problems – running around a man his size is not either. His anchor in pass protection is also very skilled; his hands are not as sharp or as technical as some of these other players, but he is a welcome addition in the third round, if available.
Ben Cleveland, Georgia
Yes, Banks is big, but Cleveland is huge! The 6-6, 343-pound, Cleveland, is a tough, mean, strong and deceptive athletic man.
Cleveland has a 5.05 40-yard dash that was in the 92nd percentile for the waiting position, while it weighed the 95th percentile – these numbers usually do not match. He can bend, pull and locate stuff in space for a man of his size and size. The giant general manager, Dave Gettleman, likes pork crazy and Cleveland really fits the bill.
I do believe that Cleveland is caught by sometimes trying to use the hit and override his command rather than clinging to the whistle and playing. His power and strength are impressive qualities, but I want to see more than just a big hit on a constant basis. He’s going to pose problems for defensive lines in the interior that try to chase the half man because his half man is about 75 percent of a normal man. The fact that he has enough athletic ability to play as a back on the Giants counter makes him a solid target on day two for New York.
I like the temperament and attitude that offends Davis. He is a good running blocker who can perform many different tasks and has managed many stretching / outdoor zones in the state of Ohio. Has the foot speed, space control and athletic ability to kick out and track to pull in power and gap systems.
He also has a good fit and offers an average finish to the table. There’s a positive point with a player like Wyatt Davis, but I wish he was a little more technically sound in both blocking and pass protection. His eyes and feet could improve, which would unlock a more complete player.
Doing a very good job of using his hands with good grip strength, imposing his rough nature and controlling the defensive line – has a strong lead and does not lose half man ratios. Insert his hands and control with good torque and adaptability. Can also strike with the fist and not bring his feet to the line of scrub, which can cause a problem; is usually balanced, but these inconsistencies do appear. In 2020, it underwent spiritual decay, resulting in pockets.
With the right coaching, Pat Flaherty and Rob Sale, Davis can be a very good guard at the next level. He was very effective at university, especially in 2019, but he is definitely worth picking a day two and I would not complain if the team happens to be the Giants.
Author Note: I also love Quinn Meinerz of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the giants in the third round.