The NY Giants are hoping Ereck Flowers, Landon Collins, Mykkele Thompson and Bobby Hart can be contributing players from the NFL draft in 2015 and both Collins and Flowers could be in line to start, as New York could move Justin Pugh to guard, while the safety position is wide open on the defense.
The Giants picked in the top 10 this season and went with Flowers on the offensive line at number nine overall. General manager Jerry Reese often goes by the mantra of "best player available," but this year he tweaked that a bit. Flowers is considered to be a strong prospect, but some thought he could slip into the second round. Reese and the Giants had a huge need on the offensive line and adding Flowers may allow players like Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg to play in more comfortable positions.
Flowers has the chance to play tackle and after the draft, Reese said that the team was impressed with the versatility of Flowers, who played all over the line at Miami. According to Dan Graziano at ESPN, the team likely will use Flowers at right tackle with Will beatty playing on the left and that could push Justin Pugh to right guard. Richburg played multiple positions last season and he could end up as the center depending on how things shake out and if Geoff Schwartz stays healthy.
The Giants just held their rookie minicamp following the draft and both Collins and Thompson have looked good, which is a promising sign for Reese. The Giants have a huge void at safety with Antrel Rolle leaving and they may end up starting two rookies or at least playing two rookies quite a bit this season. Reese said to the media that he sees Collins as a player that can contribute right away and that Thompson also has the chance to be a starter.
Dan Graziano writes that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo gave Collins praise after two days of minicamp, saying that the safety has already improved his work in the middle of the field and handling coverages. According to Pro Football Talk, Thompson has already signed his contract after being a fifth round pick and he comes in as a free safety. The Texas safety started all games for the Longhorns last season and he has experience playing cornerback as well. The Giants see Thompson as a starter-type player, but some scouts were surprised that he was even drafted.
The Giants are hoping for improvement on the offensive line after dealing with constant changes and injuries at the position over the past few seasons. The team drafted Pugh and now added Flowers and Reese also has high hopes for Hart, who is just 20-years-old. The seventh round pick played right tackle and was a starter for two seasons at Florida State and he could be a consistent reserve/backup option for the Giants until he is more experienced.
