Posted April 07, 2018 at 06:02 AM | Updated April 07, 2018 at 06:06 AM
By Ryan Dunleavy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Time to sneak in those last-minute evaluations.
Since college football season ended, there have been showcase games, the NFL Combine, Pro Days and more, but teams never can collect too much information on the players they intend to draft.
The end of March and most of April is reserved for private workouts (NFL teams can conduct these on a prospect’s college campus or in proximity of his hometown) and facility visits (a maximum of 30 prospects can visit each team’s headquarters but the visit cannot consist of a football workout).
Here is a running list of players the Giants are known to be taking a closer look at in a private setting:
GIANTS COACH PAT SHURMUR QUOTES TO KNOW:
SHURMUR ON TOP 30 VISITS: “We will bring in guys all along the draft spectrum, so to speak. That’s important so those guys get a chance to meet the other people in our organization who are obviously going to be part of the decision-making on whether we draft that player or not.”
SHURMUR ON SCOUTING QUARTERBACKS: “You need to see him throw in person. If I was a college head coach, I would never offer a quarterback a scholarship unless I saw him throw in person. I think it’s the same. That’s why the Combine is important. That’s why these exposures in their Pro Days are important. You can see and feel the velocity. You can see and feel the accuracy. A lot of the things you can see on tape, but you have to do it in person.”
NCAA Football: Senior Bowl-North Practice
Glenn Andrews | USA TODAY Sports
OG Will Hernandez, UTEP
The Giants scheduled a team visit with the four-year starter, a source told NJ Advance Media. He is projected as a late first-round pick. If he slips to No. 34 overall and the Giants didn’t take Quenton Nelson in the first round, he is no worse than a co-favorite to be their second-round pick.
Here is his NFL.com scouting report: Four-year starter at left guard and the most highly-decorated offensive linemen in UTEP history. Hernandez possesses a rare combination of power, balance, and athletic ability. He is a plus run blocker with the anchor and footwork to handle himself in pass protection as well. Though he lacks height and length teams would like, it shouldn’t hurt his stock much. Hernandez should be able to step in as an immediate starter with a high ceiling.
EDGE Josh Sweat, Florida State
The Giants scheduled a team visit with Sweat, a source told NJ Advance Media. He is a good fit for the edge in their 3-4 defense. Sweat is projected as a second- or third-round pick after a 56-tackle season that included 5.5 sacks.
Here is his NFL.com scouting report: Sweat has the length, frame and athletic qualities to fit right in as a 3-4 SAM or rush linebacker, but he needs to go to school with a position coach or a talented veteran to help unlock his pass rush potential. Sweat’s initial quickness and issues with contact balance could hinder his ability to play with his hand down. He has the ability to become a decent NFL starter but there is a wide disparity between his ceiling and floor thanks to concerns surrounding the current and future health of his knee.
NFL: Combine
Brian Spurlock | USA TODAY Sports
DE Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State
Chubb was in East Rutherford for a visit on April 5, per NFL Network. He is a projected top 10 pick in the draft. Though he is seen as a 4-3 defensive end, he might be able to fill the 3-4 hole the Giants created by trading Jason Pierre-Paul.
Here is his NFL.com scouting report: Chubb possesses high-end physical traits, years of production and the ability to play in a variety of positions in both odd and even fronts. Chubb returned to school last year and turned areas of improvement into areas of strength. His motor and athletic ability cause him to jump off the tape snap after snap and his play attributes and production should translate quickly as a pro. Chubb should be an early pick, early starter and multi-time Pro Bowler.
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