New York Giants 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. The Giants had the first round buzzing with much speculation they would trade down, something which never happened. Still a good class with only six players selected, let’s review… 

New York Giants 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 2 (2)

Saquon Barkley (RB)

With all the speculation that the Giants would find a way to move down the draft board trying to increase their draft capital, they in fact chose to stand-firm selecting this year’s top NFL prospect – Saquon Barkley. By now everyone is familiar with Barkley’s measurables and it’s impossible to overlook the eye-popping talent and potential. Standing 6 feet tall with a weight of 233 pounds and running a blistering 4.4 40 time, gives ADF goosebumps just thinking of what this man will do in the NFL. With Barkley excelling in all physical tests thrown at him, he also delivered with flying colors the personality test showing his maturity beyond his years.

The Giants have finally gained a full-time, three-down running back that can do everything on the field. Barkley can run with both speed and power while making defenders miss on jump cuts or lowering his shoulders bowling over would be tacklers. Saquon possesses above average hands that was taken advantage of in the pass game in Penn State and will surely be utilized in New York. His blocking ability is good on blitz pickups but should be coached up to bring elite level ability in that facet also. This man can do it all and the Giants will finally realize what it means to have a true star in their backfield. Barkley will create miss-matches all over the field as all defensive coordinators will have no choice but to respect the talent in game planning against him. ADF is a huge fan and we believe this places the Giants back into contention for the 2018 regular season and beyond.

ADF Prediction: Generational player and future All-Star          

Round 2 – Pick 2 (34)

Will Hernandez (G)

While height would be the largest knock on Hernandez he makes up for it all with how he plays football. This man is a pure old school mauler and will instantly solidify the offensive line for the New York Giants. Playing alongside former Patriot Nate Solider, New York now has a viable potentially super-star esc. type of left side that any team would be jealous of. Hernandez is fantastic when pulling off the line and blocking in space for his running back to break out to the second level, expect a lot of this for Saquon Barkley.

The Giants could’ve moved in many other directions with this pick, but ADF believes long time general manager Dave Gettleman understands what it takes to win football games. Running the ball and superb blocking will make this New York Giants team a force late in the year.

ADF Prediction: Fantastic upside           

Round 3 – Pick 2 (66)

Lorenzo Carter (LB)

Lorenzo Carter is a very intriguing prospect that has exceptional size and very good speed for a man measuring 6’5” tall and 250 pounds. Primarily used as an edge rusher, Carter still was able to produce all over the field with his great speed and range. ADF believes Carter will be a great asset in blitz packages as a stand-up outside linebacker with the potential to man a cover position in a base 4-3 in time. It’s also our opinion that the Georgia Bulldogs miss-used the star talent not fully understanding his capabilities. Carter won’t be leaned upon heavily in his first year which is a positive as he learns and become acclimated to the pro game. We are confident the Giants will find his strengths and exploit them in a system that will make the viewing public question how he fell to the third round.

ADF Prediction: Fantastic potential, has a floor.      

Round 3 – Pick 5 (69)

B.J. Hill (DT)

The Giants are known for bolstering much depth on their defensive line and using their third round selection they did just that. Drafting N.C State product B.J. Hill provides New York with much needed depth on the defensive front. Hill is a massive individual checking in at 315 pounds measuring at 6’3” tall. Hill would play a big role in stopped the run in New York with upside to potentially find his way into disrupting pass plays as his career moves forward. Hill is surprisingly athletic for such a big man posting a 4.99 40 time and dropping a 7.28 time in the three cone drill, rather impressive. B.J. has plenty of room to get stronger as he grows into a solid defensive tackle.   

ADF Prediction: Great depth or rotational player, potential starter.

Round 4 – Pick 8 (108)

Kyle Lauletta (QB)

Though Lauletta wasn’t the best prospect coming into this draft process, he made a name for himself during the Senior Bowl looking poise making plays all over the field. The New York Giants understand the clock is ticking on long time starter Eli Manning to which a succession plan is most definitely needed.  Kyle checks off the eye test in terms of his stature measuring in at 6’3” which is extremely favorable for NFL quarterbacks. The positives that made Kyle attractive to the Giants was the clear progression over his time Richmond. Lauletta Posted 63.5% completions, totaling 10,465 yards passing, and 73 touchdowns to only 35 interceptions over his four year career, not bad at all. With that said, Kyle doesn’t possess a clear NFL arm which in turn causes him to struggle making all throws over the field. Lauletta is a definite project that will have time to sit and learn behind Eli Manning for at least the next year or two.    

ADF Prediction: Work in progress, potential uncertain.

Round 5 – Pick 2 (139)

R.J. McIntosh (DT)

With their last pick in the NFL draft, New York chose yet another athletic defensive tackle to increase the depth needed for rotational purposes. Many scouts believe he isn’t ready for the NFL and will take a lot of time to get acclimated to the pro game. The Giants must have seen something in McIntosh believing he could be coached into something at the next level, time will tell.  

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Davon Grayson, WR, East Carolina

Nick Gates, OL, Nebraska

Sean Chandler, DB, Temple

Tae Davis, LB, Tennessee-Chattanooga

Jawill Davis, WR, Bethune-Cookman

Grant Haley, CB, Penn State

Aaron Davis, CB, Georgia