New York has more than a couple of pressing needs right now: linebacker, defensive back and WR, but when Plax's stone hands and itchy trigger finger forced the Giants' FO to drop him like a spike-after-the-catch, WR became a glaring need. How do you fill the void left behind by a receiver who's got elite size (6'5" !!!) and good speed?
Well, I'm here to say you don't. They are rumored to be making a run at Braylon "Stone Hands II" Edwards , and it is my contention that if the Giants need a WR for 2009 that badly, and they do, then the draft is not the way to do it. You draft this year for next year's receiver, and I cannot say that often enough. RD1 WRs are a waste of money and even if they weren't, BWRA right now is Percy Harvin who is too small to be elite, or Hakeem Nicks, who is a 2nd rounder in sheep's clothing.
They have other needs, like LB and DB, and it is in that vein that I make my selection, the BPA:
James Laurinaitis, MLB, THE Ohio State University
Now, I have to say that I hope this guy falls to the Steelers, and if HighSchoolSteeler is correct our main man Mr. Dick LeBeau is interested and he could be in line behind Potsie, I just think that would be grand.
Back to the New York Football Giants:
Why would they take a Mack backer for an OLB (with some DE responsibilities) position? Well, its because the boy can just play. He's three inches taller than Deebo, and already outweighs him by a few pounds. If he puts on 20 pounds of pro weight, we are talking a giant giant man. His best skills are in coverage, and is very good (not elite) against the run, so moving him outside is not what I would consider a high-risk endeavour.
So... Out of who's left, I think the Gints would be stupid not to take the 2nd best 'backer in the draft with the pick if they can get it, but in reality, the Clowns will end up with this pick, and the Steelers wont have Braylon Edwards to kick around anymore.
BTSC 2009 Community Mock Draft Team Selections
#1) Detroit Lions - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
#2) St. Louis Rams - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
#3) Kansas City Chiefs - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
#4) Seattle Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
#5) Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
#6) Cincinnati Bengals - Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri
#7) Oakland Raiders - B.J. Rahi, DT, Boston College
#8) Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
#9) Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
#10) San Francisco 49ers - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
#11) Buffalo Bills- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
#12) Denver Broncos- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
#13) Washington Redskins - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
#14) New Orleans Saints - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
#15) Houston Texans - Rey Mualuaga, LB, USC
#16) San Diego Chargers - Evander 'Ziggy' Wolf, DE, Missouri
#17) New York Jets - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
#18) Denver Broncos - Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal
#19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Brian CushingLB, Southern Cal
#20) Detroit Lions (from DAL via R. Williams trade) - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St.
#21) Philadelphia Eagles- Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
#22) - Minnesota Vikings, Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
#23) New England Patriots - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
#24) Atlanta Falcons - Clay Matthew, LB, Southern Cal
#25) Miami Dolphins - Darius Butler, DB, Connecticut
#26) Baltimore Ravens - Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Mayland
#27) Indianapolis Colts - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
#28) Philadelphia Eagles (from BUF for OT Jason Peters) - Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, The Ohio State University