The 2014 NFL Draft is behind us. All of the “experts” are handing out there grades for how the teams drafted. It’s an uncertain science that really can’t be taken serious until we’ve watched these kids play a few years. But, man is it fun to speculate and predict. There have been mixed reviews for the drafts of the NFC East division teams. The Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins all made their respective teams better, but who did the best?
My reviews have been mixed on this subject as well. Each team addressed the needs they had going into the draft, some more than others. The Giants and the Eagles were neck and neck in the race for my top grade. Their off-season moves had to be included in how I graded their drafts. The Giants went all in picking up defensive players through free agency and went heavy offensively in the draft. The Eagles let DeSean Jackson go and replaced him, while adding solid guys on defense. I believe the Giants had the better draft that put them in a position to contend again this season.
The additions of Odell Beckham at WR, Weston Richburg at C and Andre Williams at RB will immediately yield great results. The Giants focus on protecting Eli Manning and giving him weapons has been achieved. Yes, Hakeem Nicks was allowed to go, but Beckham has the ability to be just as effective his rookie season as Nicks was early in his career. Eli now has Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle, Mario Manningham and Beckham to throw the ball to. Things can only improve there.
The Giants did some shopping for offensive linemen during free agency and picked up Geoff Schwartz, J.D. Walton, John Jerry, Charles Brown and Dallas Reynolds. Based on the efficiency of their line last season, all 5 of these guys could have a chance to start this year. Richburg will jump right in and challenge for the starting C spot. I believe he’ll win the job.
The additions of Rashad Jennings in free agency and Williams in the draft will give the Giants a nice one-two punch at RB with two different types of players. Jennings is a dual-threat back who can catch the ball coming out of the backfield. Williams is just going to smash the ball down your throat. This unit will put the freak show at this position last year deeply hidden in the memory banks of the fans.
The Giants also made some moves to help out their defense as well. Nat Berhe has a legit chance to challenge for a starting role on this team. The uncertainty of Will Hill’s season has left a hole at S and Berhe might be able to jump right in. The G-men love to use multiple defensive linemen throughout the course of the game to keep guys fresh. Jay Bromley is a big guy to use as a run stopper that can help there.
All in all, I give the Giants a B+ grade and expect them to jump back into championship contention this season. One thing I know for sure about this team under Tom Coughlin, when you begin to count them out, that’s when they are at their best.
