Big Blue View
The mail’s here!
Leonard Huber asks: It seems to me that a seventh-round draft pick is usually pretty worthless. Very few seventh-round picks amount to much. So what about the Giants using their last pick this year (246, I believe) on Ben Sauls, a kicker from the University of Pittsburgh? Having a healthy kicker week in, week out, could produce a few more victories and less roster chaos. I favor this guy because he’s had plenty of opportunities to kick in cold winter weather, like we have in New Jersey.
Ed says: Leonard, unless the Giants are planning to cut Graham Gano to save salary cap space I don’t see the point of drafting a placekicker. I thought at the beginning of the offseason the Giants would cut Gano, who is 37 and has had back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. To this point, they have not. They still have Jude McAtamney on the roster, as well.
Sauls, for what it’s worth, is the top kicker on the NFL Mock Draft Database Big Board. He is, though, ranked No. 424, which means as of now he would be looked at as an undrafted free agent.
Russell Tiberio asks: Just read your seven-round mock draft. If it fell that way I wouldn’t cry about it. My question is if Shedeur Sanders is indeed sitting there at 3, would a trade back be a better option if one were available? Maybe with the Jets at seven or Saints at nine. Maybe our first-round pick and pick 99 for their first, second and third this year and a first and third next year. Would the Pro Football Network simulator accept this trade, more importantly, is this something the Giants would entertain in the real world? I have no idea what the JJ (Johnson) draft chart would say about it.
Ed says: Russell, I have played with a lot of draft scenarios. I would hate to trade with the Jets, simply because it’s New York and if you trade with them, they take Sanders and he becomes a star the public flogging would be unbearable.
I don’t mind a small trade back. But, to do that you have to be sure that the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6) are not taking a quarterback and that no one will jump in front of you for the player you want. So, it’s a risk.
I think the trade back play if you want Sanders is to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5. Jacksonville won’t take a quarterback. Neither will the New England Patriots at No. 4. So, you get the quarterback and you add a pick or two.
*Jeff Bergman asks: Do you think the Giants offseason moves have brought them to league average at all position groups? While Wilson isn’t what he was, I believe (or want to believe) he can at least be average over a full season. Competent QB play is something we’ve only seen maybe once since Eli retired. I’m not expecting miracles...
