The fifteenth pick in the inaugural edition of the Cincy Jungle Mock Draft is brought to us by member The Dealio, selecting for the New York Giants. His explanation for the pick is after the jump. Thank you for your participation The Dealio.
With the fifteenth pick in the 2010 Cincy Jungle Mock Draft, the New York Giants select...
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Last season the New York Giants were certainly a disappointment. With an upgraded WR corps and what was expected to be a formidable top ten defense, this team had Super Bowl aspirations. The offense did not disappoint and finished in the 8th best in the league behind the surprisingly good WR corps of Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham. Not to be outdone was Ahmad Bradshaw and his 4.8 YPC. But as the season progressed, it became clear that the defense was missing something. It lacked the toughness and grit that one expects out of a Tom Coughlin coached team. The defense slipped as the vaunted front four of the Big Blue battled through injury. Only two teams in the NFL gave up more PPG than the G men last year - Detroit and St. Louis. Yeah, that bad.
Statistically though, its hard to say why the GMen gave up so many points. They were in the middle of the league in terms of YPG, passing YPG, and running YPG. But there's a saying in the NFL that a defense can bend, but not break. The GMen broke. A lot.
So clearly, the defense needs to be addressed. But who, from what I understand of the Giants philosophy, they like to build a D from the front four out. That leaves out prospects like Kyle Wilson and Taylor Mays. They could go DE with Derrick Morgan, but is he going to end up sitting on the bench behind Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora? Personally, if I were the GMen at this point I would look to move back in the draft because at this spot I was hoping to draft Rolando McClain. He would have provided the toughness and leadership that the GMen are seeking. That leaves Sean Weatherspoon, Dan Williams, Brian Price, and Derrick Morgan as possible candidates. The only players not a reach here are Derrick Morgan and Dan Williams, and my gut tells me they'll go with most talented player available at this time. Derrick Morgan, DE out of Georgia Tech.
Derrick Morgan Highlights:
(via ProDraftParty)