The New York Giants have the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft on Apr. 30 and they have a myriad of options. With a number of pass rushers projected to be selected in the top 10, could the Giants be targeting Shane Ray, Vic Beasley or Dante Fowler Jr.?
Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft on Thursday and changed who he believes the Giants will be selecting in the first round. In his previous three mocks he projected New York to take an offensive lineman, but with Brandon Scherff's draft stock rising and Andrus Peat's falling, it looks like the Giants could be shifting their focus.
Kiper projects Missouri outside linebacker Shane Ray going to New York at No. 9 and here's what he had to say about the pick:
"The pass-rush is a sneaky need for the Giants. Think about it: If Jason Pierre-Paul is healthy, the depth chart looks fair. But if he has any health issues, and we can't rule that out, you look at this depth chart and have to wonder where the Giants will be able to come up with any pressure."
He also didn't limit Ray as the only pass rusher to be considered at that spot.
"So whether it's Ray, [Vic] Beasley or [Dante] Fowler if he were somehow still around at this point, the pass rush is an area they could target."
This isn't entirely out of the question. New York placed the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul, which guarantees him to be with the team in 2015, but they have yet to sign the defensive end to a long-term deal. They have until July 15 to do so or else he'll play out the season and hit free agency when the year ends. So on top of potential injury issues, the team may have question marks regarding their pass rush beyond the 2015 season, especially since Giants co-owner Steve Tisch doesn't sound overly optimistic about an extension for the former first-round pick.
"I'm a big JPP fan," Tisch told Tom Rock of Newsday. "I think a lot depends on how he performs this season. He's going to come back in great shape physically, mentally. So if he's a key to the team's success this season, I think we're open to [a long-term deal]."
Being that Pierre-Paul still hasn't come close to matching his career season back in 2011 when he notched 72 tackles, 16.5 sacks and seven passes defended (all career-highs), the Giants could be serious in allowing him to play out the 2015 season before they invest big money in him. The 26-year-old had 53 tackles, 12.5 sacks and six passes defended last season, but it came during one of the Giants' worst defensive seasons in recent years. He also only had 3.5 through the team's first 11 games.
The team needs to work out a deal for quarterback Eli Manning, who is scheduled to hit free agency after the season, so Pierre-Paul may not be their top priority. Don't be surprised if New York looks for a young pass rusher to potentially succeed the veteran.
