What the scouts think of the Giants picks

[MightyGiants]

McGinn's series with quotes from NFL scouts has always been a favorite of mine.  With so much stuff posted during the draft, these often get buried.   I just finished rereading all of them, and I found them to be enjoyable exercises.

2. MALIK NABERS, Louisiana State (6-0, 199, 4.44, 1): Third-year junior. "He's that all-around, well-polished, freakishly athletic individual," said one scout. "His traits just jump off the tape at you." His pro day workout included a 42-inch vertical jump and 10-9 broad jump. "I absolutely love watching Malik Nabers," a second scout said. "He's not your typical size for an 'X' but he has the speed, the separation, routes and hands. Where he separates himself is run after catch. That's what makes him such an exciting player. CeeDee Lamb is a little bit bigger; Nabers is more sudden and (has) better top-end speed." A third scout graded him on a par with Justin Jefferson, another LSU product. "He's powerful, he's explosive and he can win at every level of route running, which makes him special as a high-floor player," a fourth scout said. "He can run after the catch. He can run intermediate routes. He can track the deep ball." Started 30 of 38 games. Finished with 189 catches for 3,003 (15.9) and 21 TDs. "He's not Harrison," a fifth scout said. "If you see that just ignore it. He's more of the D.J. Moore kind of player. Thick running back build. He's a good player, a really good player. I don't think he has elite ball skills." From Youngsville, La. "He is what he is right now," said a sixth scout. "He's topped out. Against the Alabama corners his production all came against zone coverage over the middle. When he was manned up he struggled. But he has straight dog in him once he catches the ball."

1. TYLER NUBIN, Minnesota (6-1, 205, 4.61, 2-3): High-school corner moved to safety once he reached the Twin Cities. "They played him (in the box) but if you watch him covering on special teams you know he can play in space," one scout said. "He is a special-teams demon. Nubin gives you more than (Kamren) Kinchens because he could be that big nickel. He plays with a physical mindset. He's better than Kinchens in natural tight end matchups in man coverage or as a general slot guy. He's got great ball skills, too. For a guy you don't see going backwards very often he's always around the ball." Ran an unexpectedly slow 40. "That hurt him," a second scout said. "Instincts are his thing. He's quick to trigger. Better in zone than man. Physical around the line of scrimmage. Little tight in his backpedal but uses his size well to play physical and doesn't give up separation much. Struggles to open his hips and change direction, but nothing crazy. Can track (the deep ball). Looks to lay a hit. I think he should have come out last year but I still think he's a pretty good football player. Yes, he'll be a starter. I would say second round but he would have been a first-rounder last year." Just 10 reps on the bench press. "He doesn't have great range but he can do the interchangeable stuff," a third scout said. "He'll be a good teams player. He's had production on the ball." Started 43 of 55 games, finishing with 207 tackles (4 ½ for loss), 13 picks and 24 passes defensed. From St. Charles, Ill.

10. ANDRU PHILLIPS, Kentucky (5-10 ½, 192, 4.48, 3): Fourth-year junior with a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-3 broad jump. "He's excellent," one scout said. "His movement skills, his toughness, his awareness and production ... to me, this guy's a slam-dunk starter. He can play inside and outside – probably better in the slot. He's so fluid. You'd be good with him as your No. 2 corner moving forward." Started 16 of 38 games over four seasons. "He has a compact build," a second scout said. "More of a nickel. Not the greatest speed. Quicker than he is fast. Kind of a mid-range cover guy than deep." Finished with 82 tackles (three for loss), no picks and 10 passes defensed. "He's a little bit under the radar but a pretty good player," a third scout said. From Mauldin, S.C.

4. THEO JOHNSON, Penn State (6-6, 261, 4.62, 3-4): Helped himself at the combine with a solid 40, a 39 ½-inch vertical jump and a position-best short shuttle of 4.19. "I'd rather take a shot on him than Sanders," one scout said. "He's on the upside. He's got assertiveness with his blocking but he's not consistent with his blocking. He can make hard, adjusting catches but he can't run after the catch. He doesn't make people miss in space." Started 29 of 45 games over four years, finishing with 77 receptions for 938 (12.2) and 12 TDs. "He's a little bit intriguing," said another scout. "He's a big guy. He's fast. He'll give you effort as a blocker. He's much improved in that area. He's got ball skills. He's a really clunky mover, a really unnatural route runner. He's Canadian, so he's raw. I thought he might go back to school. If somebody really wants one they might take him in the third but I don't think he's worth that." From Windsor, Ontario.

12. TYRONE TRACY, Purdue (5-11, 209, 4.48, 4-5): Started 16 of his 38 games as a wide receiver at Iowa from 2018-'21. Had 36 receptions in 2019. Team captain in '21. Transferred to Purdue in 2022 and was a backup wideout before moving to running back last year and flourishing. "Love him," one scout said. "Change of pace guy. Did really well in his first year really playing running back." Posted 113 of his career total of 146 rushes in 2023 when he led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.4). Finished with 947 (6.5) and 10 TDs to go with 113 receptions. "Kind of new to the position so he's feeling it out," a second scout said. "His vision keeps him alive. Like a No. 3 running back who contributes on special teams. Not a powerful back but he's grown into that body and stays on his feet and fights for extra yardage. Has enough speed to get outside. Struggled in pass pro." His 3-cone time of 6.81 led the position. From Indianapolis.

[B1GBLUE]

Interesting draft. seems like we got at least 2 day 1 starters in nabers and nubin. phillips seems to be a well regarded player who can instantly be the lead slot guy, and probably can move into the #2 spot across from banks.

[MightyGiants]

Interesting draft. seems like we got at least 2 day 1 starters in nabers and nubin. phillips seems to be a well regarded player who can instantly be the lead slot guy, and probably can move into the #2 spot across from banks.

I think the team will be pushing Flott out to the boundary to compete with McCloud and Hawkins for CB 2 with Phillips being the team's new slot CB.

[FL GMAN]

I find it amazing that pro scouts can view prospects this highly drafted so differently. I thought the Giants nailed the draft 2 years ago with Neal and Thibs. I hope both improve but as of now they are not what I thought.

[MightyGiants]

I find it amazing that pro scouts can view prospects this highly drafted so differently. I thought the Giants nailed the draft 2 years ago with Neal and Thibs. I hope both improve but as of now they are not what I thought.

Former Giants scout and head of Bears scouting Greg Gabriel likes to say if you put 5 scouts in a room and run some film, you will get 5 different reports.  Scouting is an inexact science.  I think part of the problem is you expect scouts to be experts at scouting every position.  I don't think that's a realistic expectation, as every position requires scouting drastically different traits.  Still, that's the way the NFL has always done it, and logistically (in terms of going to schools during the season) it's the most practical way.

If it were up to me I would be having scouts scouting a handful of positions (the ones they do best) rather than having them do all positions and have them scouting regions of the country.

[B1GBLUE]

I think the team will be pushing Flott out to the boundary to compete with McCloud and Hawkins for CB 2 with Phillips being the team's new slot CB.

hawkins certainly has some of the traits you look for, and looked pretty good at times last year. he also played like a rookie at times which is completely fine. if he can take that next step, we are in good shape.