Leading up to the NFL Draft, we looked at the Giants’ possible priorities in the first round, which included offensive line, wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, and linebacker.
But now it's onto the rest of the draft, which resumes with Rounds 2 and 3 tonight.
If we learned anything from yesterday's press conferences of Tom Coughlin, Jerry Reese, and Marc Ross following the 12th overall pick, it was that the top brass put a premium on surrounding Eli Manning with playmakers. Those can take many different forms in the latter rounds, so Giants.com looks at what the team's options could be with the 43rd and 74th picks.
If they go the offensive line route, the best available players, according to NFL.com’s grades, are: tackles Joel Bitcoin (6-4, 302, Nevada), Cyrus Kouandjio (6-7, 322, Alabama), and Jack Mewhort (6-6, 309, Ohio State); guards Xavier Su'a-Filo (6-4, 307, UCLA) and Gabe Jackson (6-3, 336, Mississippi State); and center Marcus Martin (6-3, 320, USC).
Meanwhile, on the same list, the top tight ends available are Troy Niklas (Notre Dame), Jace Amaro (Texas Tech), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington), and C.J. Fiedorowicz (Iowa).
But sometimes the best offense is a stout defense, which opens up options for pass-rushers and run-stoppers.
Defensive ends Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame) and Kony Ealy (Missouri) are still on the board, along with outside linebackers Jeremiah Attaochu (Georgia Tech) and Trent Murphy (Stanford).
Everyone is anxious to see where these players land beginning with the second round at 7 p.m. ET, so stay tuned to Giants.com. In the meantime, check out John Schmeelk's full review of the best players available.
