The New York Giants hold the 25th overall selection in the first round of next week’s NFL draft and could be targeting a number of players at a number of positions.
Ideally, they’d like to land a top wide receiver or cornerback, but veteran draft expert Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network believes they may not get a shot at a top outside corner talent as they could all be gone by the time the Giants select in Round 1.
I think Christian Gonzalez (Oregon), Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), Joey Porter, Jr (Penn State) and Deonte Banks (Maryland) are going to be off the orbs by the time the Giants are on the clock.
They may also not be in a position to grab a top wideout at No. 25, either.
Pauline is not buying into the Zay Flowers (Boston College) rumors, saying the Giants already have a similar player in last year’s second-round pick, Wan’Dale Robinson, who is expected to be ready for training camp after missing the second half of last season with a torn ACL.
Pauline is hearing the Giants are high on Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott.
More of a third round pick…he’s an explosive downfield receiver with great pass catching hands who also helps as a return specialist.
Pauline also warned about taking smallish receivers in the first round, which is something we’ve been preaching about on this site for years. Flowers fits that mold.
So does Scott at 5-feet-10 and 177 pounds but as a third- or fourth-round pick, it’s a better value. Lance Zierlein of NFL Network compares Scott to former Indianapolis Colts four-time Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton.
While the comparison to T.Y. Hilton might raise some eyebrows, Scott is a similar player in body type, speed and versatility. With just two seasons of starting experience at receiver, his route running and ball skills are almost certain to continue to improve and become less of an issue for him in the future. He has the speed and shiftiness to uncover on all three levels. Also, he offers jet sweep and receiver screen value. A smallish frame and lack of hand strength are likely to continue to plague him on contested catches, though. Scott is an ascending talent whose versatility and playmaking talent create an easily projectable upside as a good starting slot receiver early in his career.
The Giants met with Scott at the NFL Scouting Combine where he ran the 40 in 4.44 seconds. He sizes up as a slot receiver in the NFL and the Giants seem to be flush with those at the moment, so Scott is going to have to exhibit some real skill if he is to make an immediate impact.
