Inside LB bonanza
National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
January 20, 2005
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: RyneS9290@***.com
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 2:20 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject : NY Giants Questions...
What do you see the Giants doing? Most people assume it'll be O-Line, but they seem intent on filling that need via FA, so that leaves their main needs as ILB, WR, & S. Who are some guys that you think they will look at? Also, what can you tell me about ILB Boomer Grigsby? From everything I've read about him he sounds awesome & I would love to see the G-Men target him at ILB.
Lou: I think there's a very strong possibility that the Giants will go ILB at #43 (their first pick of the draft, in round 2). It's entirely possible that the only ILB gone by that point will be Channing Crowder, which should give the Giants their pick of the ILBs on the board. I personally like Kirk Morrison out of San Diego St., though there are about 10-12 guys who are in the prototype range (6'1"-6'3", 225-245 lbs, and able to run the 40 in 4.5-4.8) who could go to the Giants. That almost makes me think that New York might wait until round three to take an ILB, unless there's a guy they're enamored with at the spot. That is especially true if a WR like Roddy White or Chris Henry falls to them at #43 (and don't count that out).
With the ILBs they might take, Odell Thurman (Georgia) has emotional issues stemming from his parents both passing away when he was young... Lance Mitchell (Oklahoma) would have been a first round pick last year had he not torn his ACL; his speed and injury concerns remain a question... Robert McCune (Louisville) has blazing speed (sub 4.5) but will be 26 as a rookie due to military service, so age is a potential concern (while at the same time also being raw at the position). There are guys like James Kinney (Missouri) who don't rank high in some people's lists but who have potential to be really strong pros and who might be great value picks in round 3 or even 4. But will the Giants roll the dice on such a need position? That remains to be seen.
Boomer Grigsby is a small school prospect (I-AA Illinois State), but he's one of those guys who's right up there in having the prototype size and speed (4.47 40) to make it on the next level. Plus he's very intense from all indications (though I haven't seen him play myself). He's been described as a good leader, a tackler with a nose for the ball, and he's projected by some as a fourth round pick. The only knocks on him are the small school thing and the fact that he's 6'1", which I find silly since that is the same height as Odell Thurman. Someone like him could be a great value pick for the Giants should they opt not to go ILB in rounds 2 or 3.
