With the NFL Draft set to kick off Thursday, it was rumored that the New York Giants had interest in drafting Norte Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, but how real is that rumor?
The Giants have the 19th pick in the first round of this year's draft, and considering that Te'o is projected by most scouts as a later first round pick, the possibility that they draft him is certainly real.
However, according to the New York Daily News, some NFL insiders believe that the Giants drafting Te'o remains to be a long shot, but the Giants actions as of late suggest otherwise. Giants GM Jerry Reese invited Te'o into to town for a pre-draft visit in early April, where he called him "a very nice young man" and said they had "a good conversation."
Te'o also received endorsement from Giants defensive end Justin Tuck as well.
"I think he'd do well (with the Giants)," Tuck said. "I think whoever drafts Manti is going to get a great player. I know a lot of the scrutiny comes from the girlfriend thing and how he played against Alabama (in the national championship game), but I've had an opportunity to see Manti grow from a freshman to what he is now. And I think on the football field, he's going to be really, really successful for whoever drafts him."
Te'o's draft stock dropped in the wake of his bizarre hoax that involved a fake dead girlfriend and an less than stellar performance in the BCS title game. However, now it appears it has risen as scouts say Te'o has been able to repair his image during team interviews and visits with individual clubs.
Several teams have been very impressed with his humble attitude, his willingness to answer questions about the girlfriend hoax and his football knowledge. He also redeemed himself after a poor combine performance with a much more improved showing at his pro day.
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is one of the few supporters of Te'o and defended him last week when asked about his "issues."
"Is that beating women? Is that using drugs? Is it DUI? How do you clarify that?" Newsome asked. "I couldn't."
Related Articles:
Miami Dolphins To Draft Dee Milliner In First Round With Branden Albert Kansas City Chiefs Trade Rumors? DB Could Fall Past Cleveland Browns and NY Jets
NFL Draft Rumors: Jets And Bills May Battle It Out For Ryan Nassib
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Tennessee Titans Trade Up for Dee Milliner, Xavier Rhodes? GM Webster Targets Top Cornerback
