By Michael Stewart
DT: Larry Ogunjobi 6’2/295 (Charlotte): Playing against lower tier competition might have some scouts questioning Ogunjobi’s talent level. However; he has all ingredients to be a solid DT in the NFL with a combination of mobility and quickness, Ogunjobi should be able to translate into a solid rotational DT in the NFL.
S-Josh Jones- 6’1/220 (North Carolina State): Jones was impressive at the NFL combine and also displayed his talents against highly recruited prospects such as WR Mike Williams of Clemson and TE David Njoku of Miami. Jones would be more productive as a SS in the box and not roaming the deep middle part of the field.
LB-Tanner Valleho-6’1/228 (Boise State): Vallejo has extreme range and mobility to go along with a nose for the ball as well. Valleho’s high football IQ and endless motor, as many Scouts viewing him as a day 3 selection; who could contribute in certain package schemes and on special teams.
S-Marcus Williams- 6’1/202 (Utah): Williams is a ball hawk and solid tackler, but needs to get bigger. Williams will be a highly productive prospect and could at shine the other safeties in the draft.
OLB-Vince Biegel- 6’3/245 (Wisconsin): This blue collar OLBer will most likely be a day 3 selection, Biegel has a nose for the ball and can contribute on special teams as well. A leader on and off the field, Biegel has an endless motor and plays hard.
CB-Jeremy Cutrer-6’2/ (Middle Tennessee State): Cutrer displays rare length at the corner position, with a 6’2 frame coupled with long arms. When you watch the tape, the fluidity in the lower half of his body jumps out. He is an NFL-caliber athlete, with the ability to effortlessly flip his hips and stay glued to receivers in man coverage.In addition to his athleticism and fluidity, Cutrer can be maddening to quarterbacks and receivers because of his intelligence and anticipation in coverage. Cutrer is keenly aware of where he and everyone else in the secondary are supposed to be at all times. He uses that same intelligence to diagnose routes early and couples it with tremendous instincts to jump the route and make a play on the ball.
DE-Chris Odom-6’4/265 (Arkansas State): Chris Odom dominated the Sun Belt competition in his lone season as a starter at Arkansas State, leading the conference with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss.Odom displays good balance around the corner, making tight, low turns to dip under the opposing tackle and get to the quarterback. Using strong hands and a powerful, churning lower body, Odom delivers a powerful bull rush that makes it appear as if an offensive tackle has been shot in the chest.
DE-Trey Hendrickson-6’4/265 (FAU): A 6’4″, 265-pounder with excellent length and size, Hendrickson had a strong week at the Shrine Game and was impressive in his timing and jump off the line of scrimmage when locking down the edge. His hand use is also well-developed coming from a smaller program and could help Hendrickson get on the field early.
LB-Anthony Walker-(Northwestern): Anthony Walker Jr. leaves Northwestern as a highly decorated linebacker. A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Walker has excellent strength and an NFL-ready physique. Playing for former linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, Walker has been groomed for the NFL since day one. He’s an instinctive, downhill linebacker with excellent run-stuffing chops. He has the speed to step into gaps and aggressively meet running backs in the hole and once there has the power to stack them up at the line or for a loss.
CB-Cordrea Tankersley- 6’1/205 (Clemson): A 6’1″, 200-pound cornerback with excellent length and instincts, Tankersley grades out higher than former teammate Mackensie Alexander did at this time last year. With nine interceptions in the last two seasons, Tankersley also showed the ball skills Alexander never did in college.
Final Thoughts: GM Jerry Reese should take a long look at these defensive sleepers as many can contribute from day one. Two glaring needs for the Giants are DT and LBer and my list has 6 candidates that could help the Giants as depth players.