The New York Giants received a 'B' grade from Mel Kiper on ESPN for the 2014 draft and that was an expected result for the team after picking names like Odell Beckham, Weston Richburg, Andre Williams and Jay Bromley and general manager Jerry Reese would likely be happy by that score, as the team was looking for players that could make an impact right away and there is a chance that three players could be starters next season for the G-Men.
The Giants had the number 12 pick in the first round of the draft and they opted to go with Odell Beckham Jr. from LSU over likely targets like Zack Martin from Notre Dame at offensive line and Aaron Donald from Pittsburgh on the defensive line. Most experts liked the pick even though some felt like it was a reach, but for what the Giants need heading into next season, Reese did a nice job with the pick. The Giants philosophy for this draft was to draft players that could play and contribute quickly and most scouts agree that Beckham is polished and can easily slide in behind Victor Cruz and former LSU teammate Rueben Randle.
Beckham can contribute in three different ways for the team, as he is a wide receiver that can run strong routes and he also returns punts and kicks and is coming off of a record setting year with the Tigers. Last season Beckham had 59 catches for over 1,000 yards and he put up over 2,000 total yards to set the school record for the team and with Ben McAdoo coming in to run the offense, the team needed a dynamic wide receiver to replace Hakeem Nicks and that's exactly what they got with Beckham.
Andre Williams may end up being the most important pick for the Giants in the future when looking back to this draft, as they basically now have to look at David Wilson as a waste of a first round pick two years ago and he could be a contributor right away also. The team signed Rashad Jennings in the offseason and brought back Peyton Hillis and adding Williams to that mix gives depth to a position that was a huge weakness last season. Williams rushed for over 2,100 yards last season to lead the nation and he joins Jennings, who led the Raiders in rushing.
Some wanted the Giants to address the offensive line earlier in the draft, but adding Beckham is a solid move and bringing in a center that can start right away should fit well with the free agents they signed. The most glaring weakness leaving the draft is at tight end, but the Giants have consistently said that they are not worried about the position right now and they like Adrien Robinson as well as veteran Kellen Davis, who they signed this offseason.
