A look at the Giants 2009 Draft Class

Round 1- Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC. Touted as a "big" receiver, but at a shade under 61'', not the kind of safety blanket that's ideal for the QB who tends to miss high. Reportedly needs special order 4XL gloves, so has monstrous hands that catch everything (youtube or google search Nicks and Meineke Car Bowl). Not a big speed guy, maybe in the 4.5 range, but claims he can be a vertical threat. I still wanted Braylon and can't see Nicks as more than an Amani Toomer type with a smaller frame and a little less speed. A borderline #1/solid #2. Played in a pro-style college offense, so should be ready to come in and contribute.

Round 2- Clint Sintim, OLB, UVA. Big OLB who's extremely effective coming downhill, which should continue to be a trait of the Giants scheme even with the switch from Spags to Sheridan. One of the nations' leaders in sacks for a LB, projects well on the strong side. Did most of his coverage in zone schemes, so people question his ability in space with a TE or LB. Should be athletic enough to handle that. Feelin this pick.

Round 2- William Beatty, OT, UConn. Thought this was an absolute steal, but the more I read I'm tempering my expectations. He was graded out as a border-line first round prospect, but fell to the bottom of the second. Scouting director Marc Ross calls him a "natural left tackle", great feet, very athletic, big frame. Still very much a developmental project, but that's perfect given our current situation. If McKenzie and Diehl stay healthy, get another year or two out of McKenzie, then slide Diehl either inside or to the right, and we could have a franchise LT out of Beatty. Some are concerned that he's too much of a finesse guy to fit in with the lunch-pail O-line crew of the G-Men. Give him some time in that locker room and I think the attitude will be infectious.

Round 3- Ramses Barden, WR, Cal-Poly. Here's the Plax clone, minus speed, game experience, and overall ability. HOWEVER, G-Men Wide Receivers coach Mike Sullivan was feeling this guy throughout the draft process and now has a chance to mold him in to a stud. Averaged 18 touchdowns a year over his last two seasons at Cal Poly, which is big time production no matter what stage you are on. He's huge, likes to fight for jump balls, and, well, he's huge. For Eli's "high-miss" problems, he's the solution. Considering the Giants traded up in the 3rd round to grab him, they will give him every opportunity to make the roster and compete for playing time.

Round 3- Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin. Throw away his senior year, if you happened to look, it's something like 25 catches for a shade over or under 250 yards and no touchdowns. The team loved his earlier years producation at Wisconsin, and he's a guy who should be able to catch passes in the wind at Giants Stadium after playing all over the Midwest in college. A problem I have is that they love Kevin Boss' ability to catch the football, so you'd think a blocking TE would be the answer. Word on this guy is that he will not and can not throw a block. This may be overstated because I'm pretty sure I read he rocked 28 reps at the combine which is O-lineman good for the exercise. Giants intend to use him as an H-back, maybe move him around the formation, and just take advantage of his straight line speed and ability to catch tough balls in traffic.

Round 4- Andre Brown, RB, NC State. Many people are tabbing this as the Giants "steal of the draft". He's big, fast, shifty, and can catch the ball well out of the backfield. My question is, if he's that good, how did he last until the 4th round? I haven't watched this guy play at all, so I'm totally relying on reports, but he's around 6', 220, with 4.49 speed. That's a heck of a package for a running back. He also was one of his team leaders in receptions and they love his ability to make plays as a receiver. Dubbed "the perfect replacement to Derrick Ward". We all love Ahmad, and maybe having some competition will make them all better. He also returns kicks, so this pick is really a thorn in the side of Bradshaw. Plus Jacobs will miss at least 3 games, we like to carry 4 RBs anyway, so he should compete with the other AB and Danny Ware for snaps.

Round 5- Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State. This pick confused me a bit. Giants are high on David Carr as a back-up, and they picked a developmental project a year ago with Andre Woodson. Most signs point to the Giants souring on Woodson, but that may not be the case. Carr should only be around for one more year, so if they can get another year out of either Woodson or Bomar on the practice squad, they could be 3-deep at the position even after the loss of Carr. However, it's unlikely given the amount of crappy QB's in the league, that if either Woodson or Bomar pan out that they can survive on the practice squad without being signed elsewhere. Bomar is legit though. I remember him at Oklahoma as a freshman being very effective. For those who don't know his story, he got paid a salary from a car dealership run by OU boosters for not doing any real work. This did not sit well with the NCAA, so he went on to be a real star for Sam Houston State. People say his game is kind of like David Carr (take that for what you will).

Round 6- DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico. This is where my info starts to get a little shadier. A guy who is not considered a terrific athlete, but has some ball skills. Terrible in run support. With our pass rush, just looking for d-backs who can get their hands on some rushed passes. Very outside shot of making the roster.

Round 7- Stoney Woodson, CB, South Carolina. Funny name; I hope he makes the roster. He probably won't. Supposedly a very good, "fluid" athlete, but a little undersized. Could be converted to safety which would be his only prayer of making the team.