The Giants earned a playoff berth with 11 wins last year. The defense ranked second in scoring and tied for third in rushing defense. The offense ranked 25th and it must have been smoke and mirrors in the offensive line. New York waited until the sixth round to draft their first offensive lineman at a position of need. That being said, we can’t argue taking a weapon like tight end Evan Engram in the first round to take pressure off of Odell Beckham. Engram is a hybrid receiver who is a big target with wide receiver skills and speed. He started looking like the tight end the Giants projected for their West Coast offense during the third week of OTAs. He started getting first team reps and caught everything Eli Manning threw his way. Has been moved all over the formation and looks like a definite mismatch weapon. He has good body control and speed to split Cover two. We also like nationally underrated defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson in the second round. Tomlinson is a war dog who will make the Giants’ faithful forget Jonathan Hankins. He has already graduated from Alabama with a degree in finance and the way he is playing in OTAs he will need a good financial plan for the future. Tomlinson is a hand-in-glove fit for the Giants who need a defensive run stuffer at tackle. A big and strong two gap athlete who is competitive and can hold the point. Davis Webb has been solid and consistent all through mini-camp and OTAs and is making a push for the number two quarterback spot behind Manning. Webb’s work ethic and football intelligence, as well as his passing skill, was evident in camp. He did a nice job of putting air under deep throws. Wayne Gallman has had some inconsistencies this spring between dropping easy passes and ripping off some slashing runs. He has the talent to develop into a backup to Paul Perkins in the fall. Avery Moss was drafted to add depth to the Giants’ pass rush. The brass was impressed with his movement skills for a big man and are sold that his athletic ability will translate to the NFL level. Moss has a long and strong frame and a strong lower body. He has strong and active hands. Possesses some definite tools that need to be developed. Adam Bisnowaty has been getting reps during OTAs at both guard and tackle. He started four years at left tackle in college. The first day of camp he went over to the right tackle slot. He has been working behind Bobby Hart all spring. Offensive line coach Mike Solari likes his versatility, long arms, and big strong hands. The ex-Panther’s durability helped him get reps in OTAs at left tackle and right guard when the injured players sat out of practice. GRADE: AVERAGE.
FREE AGENCY: The Giants spent tens of millions in 2016 but scaled back this year with only 17 million in guaranteed contracts. Tight end/ fullback Rhett Ellison received the most guaranteed cash with eight million dollars. Others added include Brandon Marshall (WR), Keenan Robinson (IB), DJ Fluker (OG), and Geno Smith (QB).
NOTABLE UNDRAFTED COLLEGE FREE AGENTS: Travis Rudolph (Florida State) WR, Chad Wheeler (Southern Cal) OT, Jessamen Dunker (Tennessee State) OG, Jarron Jones (Notre Dame) DT, Calvin Munson (San Diego State) IB, and Jadar Johnson (Clemson) FS.
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