While the wide receiver position, even with Victor Cruz's season-ending knee injury last year, seems pretty set for the New York Giants, the latest rumor suggests that Giants GM Jerry Reese won't shy away from taking a top-10 pass-catcher for the second NFL draft in a row if the right opportunity presents itself.
Later this week, the NFL's decision-makers will convene for the 2015 NFL Draft and, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, despite glaring needs at at least two positions along the offensive line, the Giants and Reese may be set to add yet another weapon for quarterback Eli Manning should one of either Amari Cooper or Kevin White tumble to the No. 9 spot in the first-round.
"It's not an implausible scenario. In fact, some in the NFL can envision at least one of the top two receivers - Alabama's Amari Cooper or West Virginia's Kevin White - slipping into the Giants' lap. And if they do, several Giants sources insisted drafting yet another receiver will get strong consideration," writes Vacchiano.
Taking into account the absolutely dominant performance by last year's first-rounder, Odell Beckham Jr., the expected return to health of Cruz and the consistently quality contributions from Reuben Randle, the Giants would seem to be fine skipping out on Cooper - one of the highest-floor prospects in the draft - or White - the athletic marvel with just one year of prodigious college production - despite their ample talent and the added dynamism they'd bring to the table for the Giants offense.
In fact, it's likely that the Giants and Reese would be faced with some pretty enticing trade offers were one or the pair of the two top receiving talents in the entirety of the 2015 NFL Draft to fall all the way to No. 9, but unless those offers were truly staggering, sitting tight and take whoever is the best player on the board is still the best move.
It's a strategy with a proven track record of success for Reese and the Giants. While offensive lineman like Iowa's Brandon Scherff and Miami's Ereck Flowers would fill more immediate needs, if Cooper or White are rated much, much higher on New York's board, that seems to be the move to make.
Then again, Scherff and Flowers in particular are, per Vacchiano, players the Giants are high on.
"The Giants haven't finalized their draft board yet, but a team source said they're high on Flowers and Scherff, though it's too early to say which one will be ranked higher or if there's one that Reese - who makes the final call - prefers," writes Vacchiano.
With Justin Pugh struggling outside last season and seemingly set more a move to the interior, the Giants could certainly use some new blood at tackle. Then again, another weapon for Manning to make use of seems like it could help move the Giants offense into the "elite" category, so arguments could certainly be made for upgrading both spots.
We'll find out what it all means come draft day on Thursday. Until then, let the endless conjecture continue!
