For part one of Jared's draft grades series, featuring the Dallas Cowboys, click here. For part two on the Washington Redskins, click here.
The reigning Super Bowl champs know a thing or two about drafting. The core of their team is built from a slew of savvy drafts over the years. Whether it's trading for Eli Manning, taking a bit of risk on a "toolsy" DE like Jason Pierre-Paul, or finding significant contributors in the middle and late rounds -- Justin Tuck, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Mario Manningham -- the Giants work the draft as well as anyone in the NFL.
And 2012 was no different. Selecting late in every round, the Giants still managed to find talent and value up and down their draft.
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With their top pick at the end of the first round, the Giants grabbed Virginia Tech RB David Wilson. With Brandon Jacobs now in San Francisco, New York needed to find a new partner for the often dinged-up Bradshaw. Wilson is a fantastic talent -- quick and explosive through holes, with the speed to go the distance. He has had fumbling issues in the past, so that might be worrisome with Bradshaw having the same problem, but the upside is tremendous. The Eagles will not enjoy chasing Wilson around in the coming years.
In the second round, the Giants rescued LSU WR Rueben Randle from the draft's green room, where he was he last man sitting. Randle tumbled down the draft for what I can only believe is due to his perceived lack of explosion. But what the rest of the NFL passed on, New York nabbed. Randle is a heck of receiver. He might not be No. 1 material, but will fit in nicely as the No. 3 behind Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, replacing the departed Manningham.
While I think their third rounder, Virginia Tech CB Jayron Hosely, went a bit early for my taste, the Giants still got a solid player who can step in as a nickel corner and punt returner.
To add depth to a thin offensive line, the Giants took two projectable tackles in Auburn's Brandon Mosely and UAB's Matt McCants in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively. Mosley has only played tackle for two seasons after playing DE and TE in community college. He's an aggressive and punishing blocker. McCants is even rawer, but has the physical size and athleticism to be very good. With coaching, one or both could be a starter in a year or two.
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The Giants needed depth at TE after Jake Ballard tore his ACL in the Super Bowl, so they rolled the dice in the fourth round, drafting Cincinnati's Adrien Robinson. Giants general manager Jerry Reese thinks Robinson is a Pierre-Paul-like prospect -- he has immense physical tools that just need refining. Robinson only caught 29 total balls in his four years as a Bearcat, grabbing a season-high 12 as a senior.
Hard to argue with the Giants success over the years, and I'm not going to here. While none of their picks were particularly flashy, they were all solid, smart selections. It should be another crop that will help fuel their future title runs. Grade: B.
Jared Sherman has been providing CSNPhilly.com with draft analysis since 2000. E-mail him at feedback@firedforwinning.com and follow him on Twitter @Phillyjared