New York Giants Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Solid Starter

Will Hernandez, G, UTEP – Round 2
The Giants had to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, and Dave Gettleman addressed the issue in free agency and the draft. Gettleman signed veteran left tackle Nate Solder to a mega contract in free agency and followed that up with a talented left guard in Hernandez with the Giants’ second-round pick. Hernandez should be a plug-and-play starter for New York.

As a run blocker, Hernandez has heavy hands with sheer power at the point of attack to generate movement. He can get under defensive tackles’ pads and use his strength to manipulate them out of their gaps. Finding nasty bullies up front is getting more difficult as the uptempo and spread offenses have changed the game, and Hernandez is a rare college blocker who enters the NFL with a mean streak to set a physical tone at the point of attack. Hernandez blocks through the whistle, pushes defenders around, buries them into the ground, and finishes them off with violence. Hernandez possesses developed strength to push defenders out of their gaps and open holes in the ground game. Hernandez can also sustain his blocks after shocking defenders back.

In pass protection, Hernandez has a strong anchor and can stand up bull rushers. Quick interior defensive linemen with length can give him problems because they can fire by him and use their length to keep him from getting a hold of them. Fast interior defensive tackles or defensive ends who move inside in passing situations could give Hernandez problems in the NFL, especially early in his NFL career. Those issues were visible at the Senior Bowl, and that is the biggest point of improvement for Hernandez entering the pros.

In my final 2018 NFL Mock Draft, I had the Giants taking Hernandez with their second-round pick, because it made a lot of sense. He is a plug-and-play guard who should immediately be a plus run blocker to open holes for Saquon Barkley. Over his NFL career, Hernandez could be one of the better guards in the league, and he should quickly become a solid starter for New York.

2017: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
2016: Sterling Shepard, WR
2015: Owa Odighizuwa, DE
2014: Weston Richburg, C
2013: Justin Pugh, G

Most Likely To Bust

Lorenzo Carter, LB, Georgia – Round 3
There is no doubt that Lorenzo Carter (6-5, 250) definitely passes the eyeball test. He has shocking speed to go along with excellent height, length, and a natural build. Carter can be a dynamic pursuit defender. He is fast off the edge to chase after quarterbacks and running backs. When Carter is decisive, he can be deadly with his burst to close while packing a punch when he gets there. Carter needs to develop more pass-rushing moves, but he is versatile to rush from the edge or up the middle on the blitzes. He also fits well as an outside linebacker in the Giants’ 3-4 defense. Carter will need some development dropping into coverage, but he has the athleticism and ability to function in space. Carter possesses the ability to be a dynamic pass-rusher, but it needs to be brought out of him as he hasn’t done it up to now.

Carter got a lot of opportunities, but never developed into a consistent force. One team source also pointed out that the SEC has not had a lot of good offensive tackles in recent years. That further supports that Carter should have been a double-digit sacker given his skill set. Team sources told me that Carter has dedication issues and got by on a lot of natural ability. Thus of the Giants’ early-round picks, Carter stands out to me as having the most bust potential. I could see work ethic and motivation making him an underachiever in the NFL, just like he was at Georgia.

2017: Davis Webb, QB
2016: Darian Thompson, S
2015: Landon Collins, S
2014: Jay Bromley, DT
2013: Damontre Moore, DE

Potential Boom Pick

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State – Round 1
Of all the prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley was the best player in the draft, and there was not much of a debate about it. I avoid comparing players to Hall of Famers, but Barkley reminds me of Barry Sanders, and I think Barkley could be that kind of devastating running back. He could be an NFL franchise player who has a huge impact on leading his team to wins.

Barkley’s natural running skills are off the charts. He is extremely fast to hit the hole with rare acceleration downfield. Barkley’s game-breaking speed makes him a threat to score on any touch. He has the ability to constantly produce long touchdown runs. Routinely, Barkley makes a great cut to dodge a tackler and then explodes down the field for a game-changing play. His long speed, first-step explosion, and instant acceleration is off the charts.

Barkley has tremendous footwork and balance to cut around defenders and maintain his footing after they initiate contact. With his powerful build, Barkley runs through tackles and bends at the knee to run behind his pads. He charges for yards after contact, and his legs don’t go dead on contact. While Barkley’s speed and explosion catches the eye so easily, he also is a physical runner who uses power and strength to run over defenders. There are plays where his awareness, and instincts make him seem like he has eyes in the back of his head with how he is able to take away angles from defenders downfield.

In the passing game, Barkley is going to be an asset and a mismatch weapon. He is phenomenal as a receiver, running superb routes to create separation and get open for his quarterback. Barkley also has soft hands and tracks the ball well. Those things, along with his speed and shiftiness in the open field, make Barkley a dangerous mismatch weapon. He could have the ability to line up in the slot and run routes like other talented receiving backs of Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. In pass protection, Barkley is a willing blocker who will dish out some good hits. Once he learns his protection assignments, Barkley should be a three-down starter in the NFL.

Barkley could be a Pro Bowler as early as his rookie season and has the talent to be one of the best running backs in the league during his rookie contract. Barkley is a generational talent who could go on to a prolific and legendary NFL career. Thus, he was an easy choice to be the boom pick for the Giants.

2017: Evan Engram, TE
2016: Eli Apple, CB
2015: Ereck Flowers, OT
2014: Odell Beckham Jr., WR
2013: Johnathan Hankins, DT

Future Depth Player

Kyle Lauletta, QB, Virginia – Round 4
The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Lauletta was a sleeper quarterback. He had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl where he showcased a gritty style of play. Lauletta has some arm talent, mobility, and is really competitive. He may not have the skill set to be a dynamic starting quarterback in the NFL, but he could at least be a quality No. 2 signal-caller who helps teams to finish games and could keep the team afloat if he starts for a month if there is an injury to the starter.

2017: Wayne Gallman, RB
2016: Paul Perkins, RB
2015: Bobby Hart, G
2014: Andre Williams, RB
2013: Ryan Nassib, QB

Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:

2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State B- Grade
I can’t fault the Giants for selecting the best player in this class. Saquon Barkley is a terrific talent, and he’s not just a running back. He’s going to transform New York’s offense, much like Marshall Faulk did with the Rams in 1999. He’s that special.

So, why the B-? The Giants had an opportunity to trade down. Normally, teams will be chided for not doing so, but they sometimes can’t find trading partners. The Giants had them. They could have moved down to acquire more draft capital, which they need when considering all of the holes on their roster. Eschewing that possibility is a mistake.

That said, I don’t want to criticize the Giants too hard because I can understand how difficult it is to pass on someone like Barkley.

34. Will Hernandez, G, UTEP A Grade
Will Hernandez is a terrific pick to open the second round for the Giants. Hernandez is someone who easily could’ve been chosen in the early 20s. He slipped to the second round, but the Giants aren’t complaining. They desperately needed offensive linemen, especially in the wake of Justin Pugh’s departure. Hernandez will be able to open up huge running lanes for Saquon Barkley.

66. Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia A Grade
This should be considered a steal. Lorenzo Carter could’ve gone in the second round, so the Giants did well by staying patient and securing him atop Round 3. The one concern with Carter is his medical issue, but if he can remain healthy, he’ll be a very productive edge rusher in New York’s new 3-4 scheme.

69. B.J. Hill, DT, N.C. State B+ Grade
A big, run-stuffing nose tackle absolutely makes sense for the Giants, who continue to add new personnel for their 3-4 scheme. I had Hill late in the second frame, so this makes sense from a range persepctive. New York seems to be having a strong draft thus far.

108. Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond A+ Grade
I don’t understand why Kyle Lauletta wasn’t selected on Day 2. He easily could’ve been taken on Day 2, and it could be argued that he’s the fifth-best quarterback in the class. Kyle Lauletta could definitely replace Eli Manning in a year or two and become a solid starter in the NFL.

139. R.J. McIntosh, DE/DT, Miami A Grade
General manager Dave Gettleman strikes gold again. R.J. McIntosh was a very disruptive interior presence for Miami last season, and he could’ve been taken a round or two earlier. He’s a nice fit as a five-technique in the Giants’ new 3-4 scheme.

2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: A . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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