Narrowing it down

Around this time last year most Giants fans were thinking that general manager Jerry Reese was going to select Rolando McClain or C.J. Spiller with the 15^th overall pick of the first round of the 2010 draft. Some thought it would be Sean Weatherspoon or Derrick Morgan. Very few thought, and even fewer hoped, that Reese was going to take South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul, an extremely raw defensive end who played just one season of big-time college football. Those who didn’t view Pierre Paul as a realistic pick for the Giants at #15 were in complete denial, though, as Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin showed a ton of interest in the defensive end who mesmerized scouts with his back flips and freakish athletic ability and size.

It’s always difficult to determine what’s real and what’s complete nonsense when reading through the information and misinformation provided for draft geeks at this time of year. A few weeks prior to last year’s draft Reese told the media he wasn’t interested in having gymnasts on his football team, which was perceived as a shot at Pierre-Paul’s back-flipping theatrics. How’d that pan out?

So, in spite of recognizing that it’s quite simple to look like a clueless idiot when predicting what’s going to happen in the NFL draft, the following is a list of prospects we believe the Giants are currently considering with the 19^th overall pick of April 28’s first round.

Boston College offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo

Why would he interest the Giants?

He’s one of the top offensive tackles in this draft, and many believe he’s better-suited to protect the quarterback’s blind side. With David Diehl coming off a miserable season, he’s expected to be moved back to guard, and William Beatty is a huge question mark. Castonzo is considered to be the fighting type that never gives up, which Coughlin loves. The Boston College connection to Coughlin doesn’t hurt Castonzo’s chances to be a Giant either.

Georgia defensive end/outside linebacker Justin Houston

With Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora on the roster, and the failure of tweener Clint Sintim at strong side linebacker, taking Houston at #19 seems to make no sense for the Giants. We’re talking about a franchise that loves pass-rushers, however, and Houston will likely be the best one on the board by the time Big Blue is up. In addition, defensive end/linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka will be a free agent once a new CBA is reached, so Reese may feel Houston could fill the limited playing-time role the Giants seem to value so tremendously every season. Or perhaps Houston could battle Sintim for the strong side linebacker spot—even though neither is a good fit for the position.

Houston went through a private workout with the Giants, making it clear that Reese and company have been intrigued by the Georgia Bulldog product. Only The Man Upstairs knows why.

Alabama running back Mark Ingram

According to the NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora and others, the Giants are enamored with Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner. Reese was also reportedly infatuated with C.J. Spiller last year, so there is probably truth to the Ingram rumors.

With Ahmad Bradshaw’s failure to secure the football, in addition to the reality that Brandon Jacobs is probably second-in-command at this point in his career, Ingram could be very high on the Giants’ board. Ingram has drawn comparisons to Emmitt Smith, so it’s not as if selecting the Alabama superstar at #19 is a reach. Chances are Ingram won’t make it beyond the Miami Dolphins’ 15^th overall pick, though.

Florida center/guard Mike Pouncey

Everyone who follows the draft knows that Pouncey was a disaster snapping the ball far too often last season. Still, the Giants have shown ample interest in Pouncey, whose twin brother had an excellent rookie season as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting center in 2010. If Pouncey can correct his snapping problem, he could be the Giants’ starting center for a decade. That's an enticing option, what with Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert on the back end of their careers.

Villanova guard/tackle Ben Ijalana

Ijalana is considered a late-first/early-second round prospect, but the Giants sent director of college scouting Marc Ross, offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, assistant offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., and scout Chris Pettit to the Villanova offensive lineman’s pro day. It’s doubtful those four went just for the hell of it.

Although Ijalana played tackle in college, some project him to guard. Then there are those who think he could be the best offensive tackle to come out of this draft if he falls into the right situation. Are the Giants among those who believe Ijalana can be coached up to be a dominant protector of the quarterback’s blind side? If they take him in the first round, the answer will be yes.

Prospects the fans want but probably won’t get

Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi

Carimi is a dominant run-blocker who will probably have a long career in the NFL. He suffers from an unfortunate disorder, though: The Right Tackle Syndrome. Right tackles aren’t considered to be as valuable as left tackles. In that case, don’t expect the Giants to invest a top-20 pick on Carimi.

Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith

Considered to be the third-best cornerback in this draft, behind Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, Smith would be an ideal fit at the #19 pick for a team looking to improve its secondary. Unfortunately for him, there are reports out there that some teams have taken him off their draft boards due to character concerns and a poor attitude. With that in mind, when is the last time the Giants selected a shady character such as Smith in the first round? Don’t waste your time trying to find out.

Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson

The Giants’ biggest need heading into this draft is linebacker. Yeah, what’s new? The team has needed a linebacker for years yet hasn’t invested a first-round pick on one since Carl Banks in 1983. So, forget about Wilson, who many believe is the best 4-3 linebacker prospect in this draft but has no experience at defensive end.