New York Giants: Draft T Brandon Scherff?

By Nafisa H | Mar 23, 2015

The New York Giants entered this offseason with many areas to address during free agency and the 2015 NFL Draft. So far, the team has made additions to their offense, defense, and special team units. With most of their free agency signings going towards bolstering their defense, it’s very probable that the Giants would use their ninth overall pick to draft offensive tackle Brandon Scherff.

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

While the New York Giants’ offense finished ranked 10th in the league in offense last season, that’s largely due to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s tremendous rookie camoaign. The team’s pass offense ranked seventh in the NFL in 2014 but their running game ranked 23rd overall last season, averaging just 3.6 yards per rush attempt. A major factor in the ineffectiveness of their rush game was their dwindled offensive line.

The Giants’ offensive line kept shuffling last season after being riddled by many injuries. Therefore, the team desperately needs to give offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo more options with quality, durable, and versatile offensive linemen. The addition of former Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Marshall Newhouse certainly helps but doesn’t completely fix the depleted offensive line.

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University of Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff is a remarkable football player who would fit well within the New York Giants’ offensive system. Following his senior year at Iowa, he won the Outland Trophy winner as the country’s best interior lineman and the Rimington-Pace Award as the top blocker in the Big 10 Conference.

At 6’5″, 324 pounds, Scherff has the large frame needed to succeed in pass and run blocking. Furthermore, he generates tremendous power from his legs through his hips to run through defenders and drive them to the ground. Even more remarkable is the fact that he’s able to do this even after two knee surgeries.

Last season, Scherff injured his right knee. The injury turned out to be a torn meniscus. Scherff sat out for one series before returning to the game. He underwent surgery the following Tuesday and played in the next game less than a week after the procedure. His durability and determination to play football speaks volumes.

Oct 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles nose tackle Bennie Logan (96) sacks New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

In addition to his strength, Scherff offers the New York Giants tremendous versatility. He can play both on the interior and exterior of the offensive line. In fact, although he’s an offensive tackle, he did spend time at the guard position. Since he is best at run blocking, he is likely to start at guard. However, he has the strength, athleticism, drive and potential to evolve into a high-caliber NFL offensive lineman.

Typically, the New York Giants’ strategy during the draft is to select the best player available. With the ninth overall pick, they could pick the best available player and reestablish their offensive line simultaneously. Drafting Scherff would allow Eli Manning more time in the pocket and improve the team’s running game.

Do you think the Giants should use their ninth overall pick to draft Brandon Scherff? Sound off below!

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