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We're back for the 12th pick of the 2014 Niners Nation Community Mock Draft. You can see previous picks below in the draft table. You can also follow the mock draft board through this story stream.
With the 12th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, superk0725 and the New York Giants select Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan. Some of the alternates he considered included DT Aaron Donald, DE Kony Ealy, OL Zach Martin, WR Marquis Lee, and WR Kelvin Benjamin. Here are his thoughts on the pick:
The Giants have had an aggressive offseason (19 signings!) and have addressed one of their primary needs - CB - by signing DRC and Thurmond. They still have big needs at TE, OL, DL, WR, and LB. The person I believe they will grab if he is still available to them at 12 is Eric Ebron. They did not resign Brandon Myers or Bear Pascoe from last year leaving only Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell left at TE (Don't worry, even Giants fans don't know who they are - total of only 3 catches between them in their NFL career). Given that Buffalo already has drafted Ebron, someone who can be a dynamic player and can stretch the field, the Giants will probably go for Lewan.
The goal here is to keep Eli upright. They have already improved their OL this year by signing one of the top free agent guards and ex-Chief, Geoff Schwartz and Center JD Walton. However they are still depending on Coughlin's son-in-law Chris Snee (who has had 2 hip surgeries at age of 32) and Will Beatty (with a recent Tibial fracture). So, I believe the Giants use this pick to secure themselves a franchise tackle in Lewan. This move would mean that they would be willing to move their 1st round pick from last year Pugh (also a tackle) to guard, where many people think that he has potential to excel. Lewan offers the best value at this position and will solidify the Giants OL for a few years to come. However, Lewan does have some character issues and assault charges pending. So, I am sure the Giants will do their homework of this prior to making this move. The other option at OL is Zack Martin, but he does not have the upside of Lewan.
This offseason the Giants lost all-star DE Justin Tuck and DT Linval Joseph. They still have JPP (1 year left), Kiwanuka (also left with 1 year before his contract becomes dead money free) and Cullen Jenkins, along with a couple high draft picks from last year. So drafting a DT like Aaron Donald or Kony Ealy at DE would help provide the defensive line support they will need.
WR is also a position the Giants need to fill after loosing Nicks and being dependent on Cruz, Randle and Manningham (I know we are going to miss him.....the weekly injury report will be so empty without him). Given that Watkins and Evans will be gone by 12, they could go for Marquis Lee or Kelvin Benjamin, but I believe they wait till the later rounds to address their WR needs.
Trevor Woods: It's a shame Ebron didn't make it to the G-Men as he would have been a great selection. The Giants offensive line was horrendous last year and while Lewan doesn't appear to be a great player, he should be consistently good in the NFL. I'm not in love with the pick, but it does fill a need, and it's a hair to early to draft the second tier of receivers. On the day of the real draft, I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants decide to trade up and grab Ebron.
Nick Chiamardas: Adding a potential franchise left tackle would be smart for the Giants. They did add a couple of pieces to the line via free agency including former Saints LT Charles Brown. Brown and last year's LT Will Beatty are likely penciled in as starters with last year's first round pick Justin Pugh possibly moving inside to guard along with Geoff Shwartz, an other free agent signing. Not withstanding the possible addition of Lewan, the Giants seem to be in good shape to remedy much of the o-line problems that plagued them in 2013. Lewan projects nicely as a LT and would give the Giants plenty of options heading into training camp. While I don't hate the pick, I think the Giants may have been better suited addressing the defensive line by grabbing DT Aaron Donald from Pitt.
Round 1
1. |
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wiseguy545 |
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina [Full Story] |
2. |
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El Shorts | Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn [Full Story] |
3. |
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9er4life22 | Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville [Full Story] |
4. |
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Boss Clifford | Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson [Full Story] |
5. |
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Mark Balliet | Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M [Full Story] |
6. |
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CheekeeMunkee | Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo [Full Story] |
7. |
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TopFlightSecurity | Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M [Full Story] |
8. |
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Hoopers Judge | Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida [Full Story] |
9. |
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jmart7 | Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina [Full Story] |
10. |
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germinator | Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA [Full Story] |
11. |
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49feelinfine | Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State [Full Story] |
12. |
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superk0725 | Taylor Lewan, OL, Michigan [Full Story] |
13. |
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El Shorts | |
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BryKno | |
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SigepPT49er | |
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Mira Loma Maulers | |
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JMichael39 | |
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Desert Dog Runner | |
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albert.55 | |
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MidnightSpecial | |
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Rowingdave | |
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MisterEclectic | |
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Rowingdave | |
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BearAKA | |
25. |
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CraigRED&GOLD | |
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Boss Clifford | |
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Roy_from_Israel | |
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dave.bocchino | |
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49ersCusefan | |
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Tre9er | |
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ak4niner | |
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timmyg24 |