The 2014 Reese Senior Bowl had a promo article on the seven cornerstone positions in the NFL. It was from their Executive Director Phil Savage, who spent 20 years in the NFL as a scout and executive, including four years as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns. It opened with every organization, when it analyzes its roster, feel like it needs seven prime time, first-rate, blue-chip starters at these seven positions. On offense they were the quarterback, a left tackle, a wide receiver and a running back. On the defense they were a pass rusher, a cornerback and a middle field defender. The middle field defender is typically a defensive tackle but could be a middle linebacker or a free safety. The Giants have drafted at one of those positions in the first round for the last three drafts for a total of five first round picks.
Here are the 2020 Giants seven cornerstone positions and their top player there with the PFF grade on each. Following that is the same for the two Super Bowl Teams for the 2020 and 2019 seasons. I used Barkley’s rookie grade as opposed to his injury seasons.
While the Giants don’t have an elite player at any of the cornerstone position, they do have above average players at five of the seven cornerstone. Their average grade across these positions match up well with the Super Bowl teams shown. For the draft I would hope the Giants could get an elite player at a cornerstone position. I feel that CB Caleb Farley is the best chance for that. If not Farley then OT Rashawn Slater provides the opportunity to challenge at the Left tackle spot or perhaps dominate at Right tackle or guard.
The Giant’s edge rusher position is also one that lacks talent. The draft appears to align having multiple talented edge rushers available at the Giants second round pick. Potential prospects include (1) Jaelan Phillips (2) Azeez Ojulari (3) Joseph Ossai or (4) Carlos Basham. Among 2020 active FBS career leaders Jaelan Phillips is 4th in tackles for loss per game (1.12) and 6th in total sacks per game (0.6). In 2020 Phillips had 36 pressures over his final seven games. Giant Kyler Fackrell was the leading OLB on the team in sacks with four. That was 77th among players in the league. He led Giant OLBs in tackles for loss with seven which was 66th among players in the league.
In round three there should still be talented wide receivers available in a deep draft class. The ones I like at round three are (1) Tylan Wallace, (2) Dyami Brown and (3) Seth Williams. Wallace ranks behind only DeVonta Smith in explosive receptions (73) since 2018 and leads the nation in contested catches (43) during that same span. Wallace is third among active career leaders in receiving touchdowns with 26. Over his career 72% of his receptions made first down. In 2018 he led the nation in receiving plays of 10+ yards. The Giants were last in receiving touchdowns in 2020. They were 29th in passing plays of 10+ yards. The Giants were 26th in 1st down conversions on passing plays. Some other round three prospects are the slot receivers of (3) Chatarius Atwell, (4) Jaelon Darden or (5) D’Wayne Eskridge.
If the Giants are able to get Caleb Farley in round one they could revisit the OT position in round 4. Tackle Brady Christensen of BYU is an interesting prospect for the 4th round. A powerful blocker. Named a Consensus All-American in 2020. Good character fit for Judge.
I have drifted from the idea of drafting tight end Kyle Pitts, Even if he were available, which I doubt, the tight end position does not appear to be as important to team success as the cornerstone positions. At the eleven spot a cornerback or left tackle seems like a better investment. Also the fact that the Giants have signed free agent tight end Kyle Rudolph and appear high on Evan Engram influenced my decision.
