Draft Recap

Anytime you can walk away with two players who are rated #1 at their position, you have had an excellent draft and that is exactly what the Jets did. D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold will form the nucleus of their offensive line for the next decade. Kellen Clemens has a great arm and while he will need time to develop, could challenge Pennington and Ramsey for the starting job by the end of the year. Leon Washington should give them a good “change of pace” running back and Eric Smith will probably contribute immediately in the secondary.

The Giants went the “best player available” route in the first round and while Mathias Kiwanuka is a good player, it is impossible to understand this pick. The Giants are trying to advance deep into the playoffs next year and Defensive End was not a position of weakness. Linebacker, Offensive Line, Defensive Tackle and Cornerback are all positions of greater need, so why pick this guy? The rest of the draft was very good with Sinorice Moss finally giving the Giants a third wideout and Gerris Wilkinson providing them with depth at linebacker. Guy Whimper could develop into a starter on the offensive line and Barry Cofield should start immediately at defensive tackle.

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By Peter Trinkle on May 1, 2006 9:57 AM

Comments [rss]

Peter

Mickster-

I saw that, but I still think it is a bad pick. Linebacker is a very different position from End. He is going to have to learn how to cover pass routes and that won't happen overnight. If you wanted a linebacker, why not take one like Thomas Howard? Or better yet, with Will P's health a huge question mark how about a corner? I just think there were bigger holes to fill. Now watch the guy become an All-Pro

mickster

Peter, if you read what Acorsi & Coughlin are saying, Kiwanuka will probably be used as an OLB rather than a DE. They will use him to fill that gap in the D.

This makes sense with his size and planned weight (he's at 265 and they are going to get him up to 275 to start the season). With his big arms, fast speed and good head, he'll make an excellent compliment to Pierce in the middle and Arrington on the outside. You can expect him to knock a few balls down and get some Interceptions at that position.