In our first look at possible New York Giant Draft Options at Wide Receiver, I wrote about three players that all could be drafted before or around the Giants pick at 12. In this section, we willl look at potential Giant targets if the team decides to wait until rounds 3-5.
When it is all set and done, one player I absolutely love that could be drafted anywhere from the bottom of the 1st round to the bottom of the 2nd round is talented Vanderbilt Wide Receiver, Jordan Matthews.
Although running a slow 40 time at the NFL Combine (4.6), all you have to do is look up some tape on Matthews and it’s easy to see why NFL teams are in love with him. He is the SEC’s all-time leading receiver and has scouts comparing his fluid route running and 6’3 frame to Packers Wide Receiver, Jordy Nelson.
NFL teams will love the type of high character person Matthews is off the field. Catching the football might be something Matthews has been destined to do, especially when you grow up as the second cousin of Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Jerry Rice.
Matthews has been lumped in behind Oregon’s Brandin Cooks and LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. In addition to Matthews, here are some names to keep on fans radar of possible Giant selections.
Jared Abrederis, Wisconsin—A savvy route runner who has shown the ability to adjust nicely to poorly thrown balls and a strong cognitive understanding of where he needs to be on the field. Abrederis is not just a possession receiver. His highlights consistently show him getting open on deep routes.
This is a guy who works hard, demonstrating a great work ethic to make up for his limited physical tools (6’1, 195 pounds, combine bench press-4 reps). Jared Abrederis won the 2013 Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded, to the nations best player who started his career as a walk on.
Martavis Bryant, Clemson—Bryant, at times known as the other wide receiver at Clemson to star Sammy Watkins, is a fast wide receiver running an official 40 time of 4.2. At almost 6’4, Bryant is the NFL dream combination of height and speed.
Averaging about 20 yards per catch at Clemson, Bryant is still raw with limited experience in a primary role this year. Playing along side the well known Watkins could give Bryant an added competitive chip to silence any critics.
Even in the later rounds, this draft lives up to the hype as the deepest draft in 10 years. With the Giants picking early, it will be up to Jerry Reese and Marc Ross to hit on their selections. Memories of Sinorice Moss and Ramses Barden are still very much alive.
Marco Imperati | Featured Columnist