KillaKyle's Final Mock Draft (4/22)

[KiLLaKyLe]

1. Cornellius "Tank" Carradine

Position: Defensive End

University: Florida State

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 276 lbs.

Forty Time: 4.75

Bench Press: 28

NFL Comparison: Aldon Smith (SF)

Vertical: N/A

Video Clips:

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; vs. V-Tech (2012); vs. Miami (2012);

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; vs. Duke (2012);

Comments: After Saturday's workout, I'm officially onboard with Tank being the Giants first pick at 19. He is working through an Adrian Peterson-like recovery from a torn ACL where he is already running full speed less than six months after the injury occured. In fact, he is actually in Houston doing his rehabilitation with the same people that Adrian Peterson did his rehabilitation with. Tank is a great story, with a familiar career path. He's a JUCO transfer with only one year of starting experience in D1 college football. While he played opposite Bjeorn Werner, who is considered the better prospect of the two, he ended up receiving the majority of the double teams by year's end. He's extremely explosive and has an unrelentless motor. Uses his hands well and maintains leverage. Doesn't have the ideal experience for a first rounder, but his array of pass-rush moves and his tape doesn't lie. He needs to work on his defensive against the run, but with 80+ tackles last year, he isn't really too vulnerable in that area. I think Tank is the perfect player to line up opposite JPP for the future of this defense. Both are very similar in terms of motor and explosiveness. Making a risky pick like Tank in round one could turn out to be a gem for the Giants. He'd be considered the best overall pass rusher in the class if not for the injury. Luckily, the Giants are deep at DE already, so Tank can play a limited role in his rookie season in order to re-gain the necessary strength in his knee. Just think of the JPP/Tuck/Kiwi/Tank rotation. Nasty. Gonna bring fear in offenses going against the Giants.

 

 

2. D.J. Hayden

Position: Cornerback

University: Houston

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 191 lbs.

Forty Time: 4.33

Bench Press: N/A

Vertical: 33.5"

NFL Comparison: Janoris Jenkins (STL)

Video Clips: Ultimate Highlights; vs. UCLA (2012);

; vs. Penn State (2011); NFL Dream Kept Alive (Injury Info)

Comments: One major injury risk in the first, and an even more major injury risk in the second. Hayden is almost completely ruptured a vein going to his heart, which has a 95% fatality rate. Luckily, everything worked out for Hayden and he is cleared for football activities. After running a 4.33 at his pro day, it's easy to assume he is back in football shape. He is fast, quick, and explosive breaking on the ball. Can play outside and in the slot, if needed. Has experience playing off-man, press-man, and zone coverage. He plays much tougher and stronger than his size indicates. Great tackler who is willing to get dirty in the run game. He wraps up instead of using his shoulder, which many CBs have a tendency to do. Wins many jump balls and has great recovery speed. Used on a ton of blitzes and college. Has a knack for creating big plays and turnovers in crucial moments. He is somewhat undersized, but he plays bigger than he looks. Luckily, the Giants have a big corner in Prince who can go against the Brandon Marshall-type players in the NFL. Hayden would be the future CB opposite Prince on this defense, with Hosley in the slot. Hayden wouldn't have to play much his rookie year with all of the depth at CB (Webster, Prince, Hosley, Ross). This will allow Hayden to get comfortable in the NFL. This kid is going to be a star, as long as he can get over the life-threatening injury that occured. A Hayden-Prince duo would be lethal with the pass rush generated by the re-vamped defensive line. He's a great story, as well as a great player.

 

 

3. Dallas Thomas

Position: Offensive Guard

University: Tennessee

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 300 lbs.

Forty Time: N/A

Bench Press: N/A

Vertical: N/A

NFL Comparison: Marshal Yanda (BAL)

Video Clips:

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Comments: Another prospect, another possible injury concern. I didn't mean for this to happen, but didn't realize that Thomas had surgery for a shoulder injury suffered during the Senior Bowl. He will be ready in time for the start of the season. Thomas is exactly what Reese loves with his offensive linemen, he's extremely versatile. He played LT, LG, RG, and RT in college. He projects as a LG or RT in the NFL. He's got great balance and excellent agility. Anchors well, but also does a great job getting to the second level on running plays. Natural knee-bender, which is crucial for offensive linemen. Can be utilized on pulls quite often. The biggest asset he has is his extensive experience against SEC opponents. He went against the best players that college has to offer and held his own, starting three consecutive seasons without missing a game. He had to deal with great players like Jadaveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram, but was never exposed. He does a great job of getting his opponent to the ground. Very good pass protector who can use his balance and arm extension to keep pass rushers away from getting their hands on him. Relentless motor. Has a vicious first punch. His foot-speed is probably too slow to play LT in the NFL. Needs to add more bulk and strength to be able to combat NFL defensive linemen. Overall, he is a very balanced player. He pass protects as well as run blocks effectively. I see him starting at LG once Boothe leaves, but can play anywhere on the line in case of injury. Could also be a future replacement for Chris Snee at RG if he eventually retires.

 

 

4. Shawn Williams

Position: Strong Safety

University: Georgia

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 213 lbs.

Forty Time: 4.46

Bench Press: 25

Vertical: 36"

NFL Comparison: Shaun Williams (NYG)

Video Clips: Ultimate Highlights;

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Comments: Don't worry, this guy is healthy and can come in and contribute from day one, if given the opportunity. Williams reminds me of the former Shaun Williams that played for the Giants in the early 2000s. Williams was over-shadowed by teammate Bacarri Rambo, who was more recognizeable because of his splash plays. Williams is the more complete safety. He's a natural leader who isn't afraid to call out his teammates. Very physical, and has tons of experience playing in-the-box. More athletic than his tape indicated. Does a great job with gap-control as well as blitzing off the edge. Has a knack for making plays in the backfield. Tenacious tackler who can get onto highlight reels with his wrap-up tackles rather than lowering the shoulder/helmet. Played a lot of single-high and two-deep coverages at Georgia, so he is experienced in every aspect of safety play. Reads the QBs eyes well and does a good job breaking on the ball. Is going to make WRs think twice before going over the middle to catch a pass. Does a good job of separating the ball from the receiver. Has some trouble shedding blocks from offensive linemen. Doesn't have great ball skills, and is never going to be a turnover-machine. Isn't agile enough to consisently play man-to-man coverage on RBs and TEs. I think Williams can contribute in the 3rd safety role from day one. He would provide excellent depth right away and could be groomed into the potential SS for the Giants defense of the future. He has much more potential than both Sash and Mundy. Would be an excellent pickup in the 4th round in a very deep safety class.

 

 

5. Jordan Mills

Position: Offensive Tackle

University: Louisiana Tech

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 316 lbs.

Forty Time: 5.37

Bench Press: 20

Vertical: 28.5"

NFL Comparison: Andre Smith (CIN)

Video Clips:

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; Bleacher Report Interview

Comments: Mills is the typical late-round offensive tackle prospect who Reese loves because of their high-upside. Mills has the perfect size and power combo to become a solid RT in the NFL. He is not an immediate starter, but he could provide immediate depth and both tackle and guard until he is coached up on his flaws. Mills plays whistle-to-whistle and is always hustling to get his hands on the next defender he sees. Knows the position well. Does a great job selling play-action passing plays, which are a staple in the Giants offense. He is also quick to recognize stunts and knows how to recover to stop the stunting defender. His lower-body strength is phenomenal, which helps him anchor as well as cut defenders off who are quick to get around him. Has good balance which helps with sealing defenders off from the ball carrier or QB. Very coordinated and can hold his own in pass protection. He needs to refine his mechanics. His aiming points on blocks is inconsistent. Has a problem with being flagged for holding calls because of bad hand placement. Doesn't have a quick first step, which is why he has no chance at LT in the NFL. Can be beaten instantly off the snap if he can't get his hands on the defender. Lunges too often at defenders. Mills is quality depth and a solid player who the coaches can work with to hopefully become the eventual RT for the Giants offense. He's got all of the physical attributes, motor, and awareness to be a starter in the NFL. He just needs to refinement on his technique to become a valuable contributor along the offensive line.

 

 

6. Kevin Reddick

Position: Inside Linebacker

University: North Carolina

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 243 lbs.

Forty Time: 4.72

Bench Press: 23

Vertical: N/A

NFL Comparison: Kevin Burnett (OAK)

Video Clips: Ultimate Highlights; vs. V-Tech (2012); vs. NC State (2012);

; vs. Clemson (2011);

Comments: Here it comes, the late round LBs that Reese loves to take a chance on. First up, Kevin Reddick. I've always been a huge Reddick fan since his early days at UNC, but he never seemed to really elevate his play as he got more experience in college. He played in the middle of a 4-3 defense at UNC, but he was used as much more. He played snaps at SLB and DE, and was used extensively as a blitzer. He's very intelligent and a hard-worker who always fulfills his assignments. Not a freelancer, doesn't take false steps. Good awareness of the offense and has a tendency to beat the ball carrier to the hole. Works well in crowded environments. Uses his quickness rather than block shedding ability to get by offensive linemen. Good tackler who wraps up often instead of going for the big hit. Shows good flexibility when pass rushing on the edge. Sets the edge on running plays which causes the ball carrier to go back inside. Not a sideline-to-sideline guy, but has great short area closing burst. Breaks down quickly on ball carriers to prevent cutbacks and juke moves. Experience playing both zone coverage and man-to-man on TEs. Doesn't excel in coverage, but it is not a weakness. Great A-gap blitzer. Doesn't have the ideal size and can maintain leverage in the running game. Sometimes too over-aggressive when shooting gaps. Lacks recovery speed. Had stamina issues in college, but he should be used as a two-down LB in the Giants scheme. I think he could start right away in the middle, but the Giants don't do business like that. He looks like the two-down middle linebacker of the future to me.

 

 

7. Jelani Jenkins

Position: Outside Linebacker

University: Florida

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 243 lbs.

Forty Time: 4.67

Bench Press: 27

Vertical: N/A

NFL Comparison: Mychal Kendricks (PHI)

Video Clips: Ultimate Highlights;

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Comments: Back-to-back linebackers, but Jenkins offers a much different skillset. Jenkins may not be a three-down linebacker either, but he would play the last two downs, not the first down. Jenkins has an extensive injury history, which is why he is dropping so far in drafts. He played WLB in college, and that is his best fit in the NFL also. He's got very good speed, and has the sideline-to-sideline ability that Reddick lacks. Jenkins can probably play all three LB spots if he improves in the NFL. Great burst and a fantastic athlete. Works well in pursuit of the ball carrier. Does a good job wrapping up on tackles. Great blitzer, but even better in coverage. His coverage ability is his best trait, much like Jacquian Williams. He can cover RBs and TEs consistently because of his fluid hips and uncanny ability to locate the ball. He's an extremely reliable tackler who can diagnose plays well and was a leader at Florida. His biggest problem is lack of size and injury conerns. He's had surgery on both his hand and foot, as well as a lingering hamstring injury. He needs to add strength to become an everydown player in the NFL. Has trouble disengaging blockers when they get their hands on him. Doesn't use his hands well, which is why he has trouble shedding blocks. I see him being a valuable contributor on special teams right away and can be a sub-player to help in coverage. He could potential be a starter in the NFL, but he needs to prove he can stay on the field and be effective when he gets his opportunity. Backup to Jacquian Williams this year with potential to be a starter in the future.

 

 

7. Spencer Ware

Position: Running Back

University: Louisiana State

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 228 lbs.

Forty Time: 4.62

Bench Press: 17

Vertical: 35.5"

NFL Comparison: Marion Barber III (DAL)

Video Clips:

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Comments: I love Spencer Ware. He has that "it" factor that you look for in RBs. He's a violent runner who looks for contact. Has good patience and vision to find the right lanes. Runs through arm tackles with ease. Explosive first step and decisive runner. Gets going quickly which makes it tough for defenders because of his momentum. Downhill runner who won't run east-west. Underrated elusiveness and has change-of-direction ability. Waits for his blocks to be set up before exploding through the hole. Ideal back for short-yardage and goalline situations. Runs low and gets his pad level down to fit into small creases. Natural strength that can push a pile, if necessary. Is going to break a lot of tackles in the NFL. His running style wears down defenses. Fights for every yard he can get. Solid hands and is a capable blocker. Is a finisher on his runs, and defenders will hate tackling him. Has great balance to recover after contact. He is a YAC monster. He's had problems with playing time at LSU, as well as character issues. He failed a drug test and has been overweight. He isn't explosive, but has solid speed. Tends to get too upright sometimes. His running style isn't going to hold up for awhile in the NFL. Might only get four good years out of him. I think he is the perfect complement for David Wilson. Ware can do the work on short-yardage situations which is Wilson's weakpoint. Good change-of-pace back that can wear down the defense for Wilson to bust a long gain. He might not get much playing time early, but if he is motivated, he will be a steal in the 7th round.

 

[Bigblue25]

Way too many guys coming off injury, Tank, Thomas, Hayden and Jenkins, would be mighty pissed off if this was the Giants draft. Also not a big fan of Carradine, even throwing out the injury. You did a good job on this though.

[KiLLaKyLe]

Thomas and Hayden are two players who are injured that you shouldn't be concerned over. Honestly, I don't think Tank is either considering he is already running full speed. Hayden's situation was more of a freak incident rather than a serious injury. He is completely recovered. But I see where you are coming from.

[Bigblue25]

Thomas and Hayden are two players who are injured that you shouldn't be concerned over. Honestly, I don't think Tank is either considering he is already running full speed. Hayden's situation was more of a freak incident rather than a serious injury. He is completely recovered. But I see where you are coming from.

 

McShay gave us Hayden, in the first round. He is a talent, no doubt, This CB crop is so tight though.