The NY Giants Draft strategy: BPA or Need? Which is it!
By Michael Stewart
The NFL Draft is the foundation an NFL team builds from as many teams use the philosophy of either BPA or by need. In regards to the Giants draft philosophy, GM Jerry Reese has always stressed that he always drafts BPA. However; history has suggested a different story with Reese for the most part in the 1st round. Let’s breakdown every 1st round selection by Reese during his tenure with the Giants and determine if it was BPA or need.
2007–Aaron Ross (CB) out of Texas: The Giants only had Corey Webster, Sam Madison and Kevin Dockery as their primary CB in 2007. Prospects such as: Dwayne Bowe (WR) Jonathan Beason (ILB) and Joe Staley (OT) were still on the board. Clearly, this was a draft of need for the Giants. (BPA-0/Need-1)
2008-Kenny Phillips (DB) out of Miami: The Giants had James Butler and Michael Johnson as their starting Safeties. Clearly Phillips would have been an upgrade over both; but certainly Johnson. Also, Butler was nearing the end of his contract and the Giants didn’t want to pay too much to retain him. With prospects such as Devin Thomas (WR) Jody Nelson (WR) still on the board, this selection can also be labeled as a need pick in the 2008 draft. (BPA-0/Need-2)
2009-Hakeem Nicks (WR) North Carolina: The Giants had Steve Smith and Mario Manningham as starters. With Domenik Hixon and Ramses Barden as backups. This one could be very debatable as BPA as prospects such as Kenny Britt, Chris Wells and James Laurinaitis were still on the board. let’s label this one as a draw. (BPA-0/Need-2/Draw-1)
2010-Jason Pierre Paul (DE) South Florida: The Giants had Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora as their starting DE; with Dave Tollefson and Alex Hall as backups. JPP was raw, but had so much upside and potential that he clearly was the BPA available for the Giants when they selected 15th overall in the 1st round. (BPA-1/Need-2/Draw-1)
2011-Prince Amukamara (CB) Nebraska: The Giants had Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster as their primary CB. Amukamara was a projected top 10 prospects and surprisingly fell into the Giants lap at #19. No need to mention the available prospects still on the board as Amukamara was clearly the BPA available for the Giants. (BPA -2/Need-2/Draw-1)
2012-David Wilson (RB) Virginia Tech: The Giants had only had Ahmad Bradshaw as their feature back with D.J Ware as their primary backup. Wilson was not the Giants 1st choice at RB as reports had the Giants selecting Boise Star RB Doug Martin; until Tampa Bay leaped Frog over them and selected him at #31 in the 1st round. This created a buzz as it took the Giants nearly 15 minutes to finally select David Wilson. With prospects such as Courtney Upshaw, Coby Fleener still on the board; this was clearly a need selection. (BPA-2/Need-3/Draw-1)
2013-Justin Pugh (OT) Syracuse: The Giants had Will Beatty and David Diehl as starters in 2012, with the thought of moving Diehl to OG. Pugh was a bit of a reach with 19th overall pick in round 1. Other prospects still on the board that were rated higher than Pugh were Sharrif Floyd, Alec Ogletree, Xavier Rhodes, so clearly this was a need selection by Reese (BPA-2/Need-4/Draw-1)
2014-Odell Beckham Jr (WR) LSU: The Giants had Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle as their starters, OBJ might have been the BPA on the Giants board when their selection came, but the Giants needed a WR with the departure of Nicks. This one can go either way, so let’s declare this one a draw. (BPA-2/Need-4/Draw-2).
2015-Ereck Flowers (OT) Miami: With the departure of Chris Snee at OG, the Giants decided to move Justin Pugh from OT to OG, so the need for an OT became the #1 priority in the draft. There were many prospects rated higher than Flowers such as: Todd Gurley, Trae Waynes, Danny Shelton, DeVante Parker and Melvin Gordon just to name a few. This one is a no brainer and clearly a need selection.
Final Draft total:
Need/-5
BPA-2
Draw-2
Final Draft Thoughts: So there you have it, even if we determine that the draws should have been BPA, Need would still have the edge. You may disagree with my results and that’s fine, let me know what you think. So what in the world is Jerry Reese talking about when he stresses that they always select BPA in the draft.
At this point, I don’t think he believes what he says anymore, so why should we. One thing is clear and that is Reese must have a A+ draft (which means, at least 3 of the picks must be major contributors as rookie) or he will be the next one to go.