The first thing that strikes me about this draft was that they only selected on LB, in the 4th round no less, for a team that probably needed at least two and one who needed to be able to start right away. That is the thing they missed, what they hit on were several additions to teh Defensive Line that may help this team improve its run defense. It is a difference of opinion on how to improve a run defense that gave up far too many yards in 2009.
Overall I think the Giants drafted a lot of guys who are going to need time to develop. Second round pick (46), Linval Joseph, is the most likely to step into a DT rotation as a run stopper. First round pick (15), Jason Pierre-Paul is a natural pass rusher, but given the fact he has only made seven starts in College he may need some time to adjust to the NFL grind. In the short term this draft class looks worse, since it will not provide immediate impact for the team, but in the long run I suspect the grades will go way up.
With that being said here is a look at the initial grades for teh 2010 Giants draft class:
• Round One – B+, With Derrick Morgan still on the board they took the project pick in Pierre-Paul • Round Two – B+, Joseph had a 3rd round grade, but may be the perfect player in the Giants defensive rotation •Talent- B+, two pretty good picks with a lot of upside •Need- C, they failed to find an immediate starter at LB, but teh run defense should be better •Average- B
Related Links:
• New York Giants news and notes • 2010 NFL Draft initial team grades • The Business of the NFL •MTR Football.com