Giants Get Big Targets for Eli

Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.

With the departure of Plaxico Burress, and the failure (unwillingness?) to make an expensive trade for a veteran star, there was little secret how the Giants would attack the NFL Draft. They needed at least one receiver to help out Eli Manning and the unheralded returnees he has to throw to. Instead of settling for one, the Giants picked up a pair.

First-round pick Hakeem Nicks made a name for himself at North Carolina by making some spectacular catches. He's a big kid who has very good hands and is a great route-runner. Nicks has some weight to him, and he isn't a speedster, but he's a big target who uses body position well, knows how to get open, and should be an impact player from the start with the Giants.

In addition to Nicks, whom the Giants picked over Kenny Britt (30th overall to Tennessee), the team also grabbed a big receiver in the third round. Ramses Barden wallowed in small-school obscurity, lighting up defenses at Division I-AA (or, if you like being official about these things, FCS) Cal Poly. After averaging over 20 yards per catch and scoring 50 touchdowns in four years with the Mustangs, the six-six Barden takes his skills to the Giants.

Like Nicks, Barden isn't the fleetest of foot. Neither guy is a great candidate to work out of the slot, and neither guy will make plays simply by outrunning people. However, Barden and Nicks are both strong players who know how to run routes. Barden's big question mark will be how he adjusts to the elite level of competition. In two games against I-A foes in 2008, Barden caught 13 passes for 244 yards and two scores. He'll have to carry that kind of effort over, and build on it, to be successful in the NFL.

Draft picks

1 (29) Nicks, WR, North Carolina
2 (45) Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
2 (60) William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
3 (85) Barden, WR, Cal Poly
3 (100) Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin
4 (129) Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina State
5 (151) Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State
6 (200) DeAndre Wright, CB, New Mexico
7 (238) Stoney Woodson, CB, South Carolina

GRADE: B+. Nicks and Barden will both get opportunities to be Manning's primary red-zone threat. Beckum was a solid pick for the Giants at the end of the third round. He's a guy who will make an impact with his athleticism, and he could be a big-play threat as he develops his skills. Beckum was overlooked in this draft, primarily because of durability issues that popped up during his senior season at Wisconsin. Had he come out after the 2007 season, he probably would have been selected on the first day.

Bomar is a decent developmental prospect under center. He should be able to compete with Andre Woodson for the third spot on the depth chart behind Manning and David Carr.

It's probably not surprising, since I mentioned the idea of the Giants picking him, that I like the Sintim pick. He should be a solid contributor this season.

Brown, Wright, and Woodson will provide depth, and could help out on special teams.