National Football League

11 players the Giants will target at No. 40 overall

Published May. 1, 2015 7:53 a.m. ET

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On Wednesday, I outlined a five-step plan for a successful New York Giants draft. On the first night of the draft, the Giants completed the first step by selecting an offensive tackle with one of their first two selections in the 2015 NFL Draft. Selecting University of Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers allows the Giants flexibility on day two. The Giants have the eighth overall pick in the second round, at No. 40 overall, and they will likely look to target one of the following 11 prospects.

Tier 1:

Preston Smith, defensive end, Mississippi: Smith might be the best overall prospect remaining on the board overall, but he is certainly the best option for the Giants in round two. Smith is a lengthy prospect at nearly 6-foot-5 and he has the size to set the edge at 271 pounds. Smith was also highly productive in college and racked up 134 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 16 sacks while creating seven turnovers throughout his collegiate career. Smith offers new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo flexibility because he can kick inside to defensive tackle on passing downs. He offers unique flexibility for a man his size, and his build is reminiscent of former Spagnuolo great, Justin Tuck. He would immediately step in to the Giants' rotation at defensive end.

Eric Kendricks, inside linebacker, UCLA: Kendricks has the speed (4.61 40-yard dash) and range to make an immediate impact on passing downs and serve as that rare breed every down linebacker. Kendricks is always around the football, and he makes plays based on his elite instincts for the position. Check out his game tape against Virginia here. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better game from any of the inside linebacker prospects. Kendricks would immediately step in at strongside linebacker and improve the overall pass coverage against tight ends, running backs and even slot receivers. Eventually, he would be molded to be Jon Beason's replacement in the middle.

Owamagbe Odighizuwa, defensive end, UCLA: At 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds, "Owa" is not as lengthy or flexible as Preston Smith, but he plays even stronger than his size. This an ideal starting point for a defensive end in Spagnuolo's 4-3 base defense. Unlike some of the other top edge rusher prospects, Owa fits the 4-3 base defense. His size didn't hold him back from showing off elite traits for the position. His speed (4.62) and explosion (39-inch vertical, 10 foot, 7 inch broad jump) were among the best on the defensive line. He also showed off his lateral agility with a strong 3-cone drill. Owa's best trait is his ability to win with power and he can immediately contribute as a rotational defensive end.

Landon Collins, safety, Alabama: Collins' draft stock took a tumble. Originally expected to be drafted on day one, Collins' lack of experience in different coverages and overall stiffness has left him sitting on the board as we get set to begin day two. While those may be valid concerns, no one can take away the impact that Collins can make near the line of scrimmage. Collins racked up 103 tackles in 2014. The 6-foot, 215-pound safety shows NFL-level instincts and he plays with an aggressive style. In Spagnuolo's past stint with the Giants, he often used his safeties to attack downhill against the run and to blitz. Spagnuolo found success using replacement level talent Gibril Wilson in this role. Give him someone more talented like Collins, and the Giants can fill a need while also adding an impact player to their defense.

Eric Rowe, defensive back, Utah: Rowe stands at 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds, and he offers versatility. Rowe can play every niche role in the secondary, and he even has success covering the slot. He offers great range on the field, and this is why many believe he will be an even better safety at the NFL level. There is untapped potential here. The Giants would preferably start him at safety, but could play cornerback as a backup plan.

Tier 2:

Paul Dawson, inside linebacker, TCU: The draft's most instinctive and productive inside linebacker carries a lot of the size and speed red flags that have caused teams to overlook some of the NFL's best inside linebackers in the past. Look at a player like Navorro Bowman, a former third-round pick, if you want an idea of what Dawson's ceiling could be. In 2014, Dawson racked up 136 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks, three fumble recoveries, four interceptions and nine pass breakups. There's no need to over think this evaluation. Dawson could immediately compete for snaps at strong side linebacker and eventually take over for Jon Beason at middle linebacker.

Devin Smith, wide receiver, Ohio State: Most perceive Smith as a pure speed receiver, but this is a misconception. Smith plays the game at a fast pace, but it's his elite deep ball tracking skills and body control that separate him in the long passing game. Smith averaged 20.7 yards-per-catch and racked up 30 touchdowns throughout his collegiate career. At 6-foot and 200 pounds, Smith has the potential to develop into a player similar to DeSean Jackson at the next level. He is quick and explosive in his breaks in and out of routes. Smith would be an immediate deep threat, but I believe he could excel in the quick-passing game and in space in McAdoo's offensive scheme.

Maxx Williams, tight end, Minnesota: Williams is still a bit raw, but at just 20 years old, there is room to grow. Williams admitted earlier in the draft process that his strength (17 bench press reps) is his biggest weakness, and this is something that can easily be improved. Williams shows off smoothness and agility in his route running that is very rare for a man his size. At 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds, Williams also projects as an immediate upgrade inside the red zone.

Steve Nelson, cornerback, Oregon State: Nelson doesn't jump off the page with his size or speed, at just 5-foot-10 and 192 pounds, but he offers just about everything else that you would want in a prospect. He is physical with some of the best ball skills at his position in the entire class. Through his 25-game collegiate career, Nelson racked up 122 tackles, eight interceptions and 16 pass breakups. College Football Focus charted him as the only cornerback to start the full season who failed to miss a tackle. According to their game charters, Nelson allowed just 47-of-92 targets against him to be caught. Nelson is physical, a sure tackler, a playmaker and excellent in coverage. Throw out the athletic measurements, he can help out the Giants at cornerback right away and they know this. He is a sleeper, but don't be surprised if the Giants nab him at No. 40 overall.

Quentin Rollins, defensive back, Miami(OH): Rollins is a late bloomer having played college basketball for most of his collegiate career before transitioning to football for the 2014 season. Rollins might have the best ball skills of any defensive back in the entire draft. He put them on display last season when he racked up seven interceptions for the Redhawks. He also plays a physical style having totaled 72 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one forced fumble on his way to earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2014. The 6-foot, 203-pound Rollins might be best at safety at the next level. This is exactly where the Giants need him.

Michael Bennett, defensive tackle, Ohio State: Bennett is a bit undersized at 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, but that's plenty big enough to play the 3-technique defensive tackle position in Steve Spagnuolo's defense that is currently occupied by an aging and oft-injured Cullen Jenkins. Bennett shows off that rare quickness off the snap that often leads to interior pressure at the next level. Throughout college he collected 18 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss. The Giants love to find their defensive tackles in the second round, and don't be surprised if Bennett is selected at No. 40 overall.

Notable players missing from the list: Randy Gregory, Dorial Green-Beckham, Jalen Collins 

For more on the Giants and the entire NFC East, you can find Dan on Twitter @DanSchneierNFL or on Google +.

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