By Michael Stewart/golferbad
Introduction: The Giants have already traded one starting cornerback in Eli Apple and will more than likely trade or release Janoris Jenkins in the off season, so there is a strong possibility that GM Dave Gettleman will look at the draft for a cornerback. The Giants used their 3rd pick of 2019 in the supplemental draft to select Sam Beal, who many believe would have been a possible late day one or an early day two pick. Despite the addition of Beal, it would make a lot of sense to select a cornerback in the 2019 draft. The Giants currently have 9 picks available and that number could increase with some projected trade options in the off season, especially two defensive starters in linebacker Olivier Vernon and cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Let’s take a look at the top 10 cornerbacks that could be available to the Giants.
- Greedy Williams (LSU) 6’1/182: Williams is currently ranked 1st among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Williams can do it all, from man to man, blitz packages and creating a turnover. Good size and very productive from day one for the tigers. Very likely the first cornerback taken off the board in the 1st round.
- Deandre Baker (Georgia) 5’10/185: Baker is currently ranked 2nd among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. If Williams is the 1st cornerback taken in the 2019 NFL draft, Baker is a very close second. Baker has excellent versatility (good tackler and a ball hawk) and can play all over the field. Very strong for his size and is not afraid to use his body.
- Byron Murphy (Washington) 6’0/175: Murphy is currently ranked 3rd among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Murphy is silky smooth and is a play maker for the Huskies. Murphy has great awareness and is always around the ball to make plays. Murphy has great closing speed and exceptional hands as he catches the ball away from his body as well as any other cornerback in the country.
- Julian Love (Notre Dame) 5’11/193: Love is currently ranked 4thamong the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Love is extremely efficient in his cover skills, whether it’s in zone or man to man. What Love may lack in speed and strength, he makes up with high football IQ awareness as he anticipates well and is always around the ball. Could seek into the late 1st with a solid combine.
- Iman Marshall (USC) 6’0/200: Marshall is currently ranked 5th among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Marshall is one of the most athletic cornerbacks in the country with top end ball skills. Marshall has exceptional ball hawk skills and excellent speed to cover any wide receiver in the country.
- Alijah Holder (Stanford) 6’2/185: Holder is currently ranked 6th among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Holder is one the best tacklers among the cornerbacks in the entire draft as he ranks near the top in tackling efficiency. Holder excelled in press coverage and likes to challenge opposing receiver within the first five yards from scrimmage.
- Lavert Hill (Michigan) 5’11/177: Hill is currently ranked 7th among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Hill has excellent footwork and has excellent hands in coverage. Hill is very good in one on one battles for the ball and usually comes out on top. Hill possesses excellent technique, but needs to add some bulk and strength at the next level.
- Michael Jackson (Miami) 6’0/200: Jackson is currently ranked 8th among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Jackson plays very physical and likes to stuff opposing wide outs any chance he gets. Extremely mobile, Jackson has a nose for the ball and never seems to be out of position.
- Kris Boyd (Texas) 6’0/195: Boyd is currently ranked 9th among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Boyd is solid in run support as he sheds blocks well and never gives up on a play. Boyd has long arms which helps him to evade oncoming blockers and also helps him in jamming opposing receivers off the line of scrimmage. Boyd is also solid in man to man coverage and is often isolated one on one with the opposing team’s best receivers.
- Amani Oruwariye (Penn State) 6’0/209: Oruwariye is currently ranked 10th among the cornerbacks for the 2019 NFL draft. Oruwariye may not be as flashy as Greedy Williams or Deandre Baker, but Oruwariye is very gifted at the cornerback position. Sees the field well and has great anticipation to make plays. Oruwariye always seems to be in the right position and is rarely fooled by double moves from the receiver.
Final Thoughts: Along with drafting a cornerback in the 2019 draft, look for Gettleman to sign a veteran cornerback on a one year deal to give the young cornerbacks a year in training to help their development. Also, expect Gettleman to sign lower level cornerbacks like he did last off season to hopefully finding a diamond in the rough. Either way, it’s imperative that the Giants add depth and talent in the secondary, especially at the cornerback position.