5 TO WATCH
A YEAR AGO, they stole the biggest game-breaking player in the NFL draft, a record-shattering receiver who fuel-injected an offense stuck in neutral. And this week at the Scouting Combine, the Giants will try to pick out the next star like they did with Odell Beckham Jr., who was the 12th pick last spring. GM Jerry Reese and the Giants own the ninth pick of the 2015 draft. It’s the Giants’ first top-10 pick since 2004, when they selected Philip Rivers at No. 4 and traded him to the Chargers in exchange for Eli Manning. Owner John Mara believes the franchise is close to returning to contention, and another strong draft would add a critical infusion of talent. Expect the Giants to focus in on these five talents:
BRANDON SCHERFF IOWA, OL
NFL draft analysts have linked the 6-4 Scherff to the Giants for weeks, and it’s not hard to see why. Even after Reese’s massive makeover last spring, offensive line remains a primary concern.
Scherff is widely considered the top lineman in the class, and he brings the versatility the Giants covet, capable of plugging a hole anywhere on the line. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock compared Scherff to 2014 Cowboys first-rounder Zack Martin, an All-Pro guard as a rookie who instantly stabilized the Dallas offense.
“I look at Brandon Scherff, I see a similar example,” Mayock said. “I think he’s an All-Pro guard, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play tackle in the NFL.”
LANDON COLLINS ALABAMA, S
The Giants’ top three safeties Antrel Rolle, Stevie Brown and Quintin Demps are free agents, and even if Rolle resigns, there’s little depth at the position; youngsters Cooper Taylor and Nat Berhe are unproven.
Collins is the finest of a lean safety class, and that should ensure he’s a high selection. He’s at his best playing in the box and going downhill, but he brings enough athleticism to be used in a flexible defensive scheme, said Mayock.
“Big enough to take on the run but certainly quick and athletic enough to cover running backs and tight ends,” Mayock said. “That’s what I see in Landon Collins.”
DANNY SHELTON WASHINGTON, DT
This one is a long shot, mostly because the 6-2, 339-pound Shelton may not last until the Giants pick. The Huskies star has been compared to Ravens anchor Haloti Ngata and Patriots run-stuffer Vince Wilfork. He can stymie the run, and still push the pocket, a rare combination at his size. Teaming Shelton with Johnathan Hankins, the Giants’ 2013 second-round pick, should lead to instant improvement for a run defense that surrendered a l eague-worst 4.9 yards per carry last season, and give the franchise a strong upthe-middle defense for years.
But several teams covet Shelton, who could move out of the Giants’ draft range with a strong workout.
ARIK ARMSTEAD OREGON, DE
Even if the Giants do re-sign Jason Pierre-Paul, the franchise lacks depth at defensive end, and new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo understands the importance of having a strong pass-rush rotation.
There are plenty of quality defensive linemen in this draft, but few have the athletic upside of the 6-7, 285-pound Armstead. The former Oregon star has the explosiveness to develop into a quality pass rusher, but he brings enough size to play the run. While he’s raw, he could be a dangerous weapon in Spagnuolo’s system.
Armstead may not make it to the Giants, though. His athleticism could vault him past an array of tweener pass-rushers.
T.J. CLEMMINGS PITT, OT
The Panthers senior played basketball in high school and began his college career as a defensive lineman. He switched to the O-line in 2013, but his athleticism still remains, and he’s expected to perform well in Combine drills.
“He’s got great feet,” Mayock said. “I think the Combine is going to help him, (people are) going to be impressed.”
Reese has long coveted superb athletes with upside, and Clemmings, a product of Teaneck, brings that. He’d likely begin his career as a right tackle, which would force Justin Pugh to guard. But with development, Clemmings could emerge as a left tackle, eventually replacing the inconsistent Will Beatty.