New York Giants: 7 final draft scenarios

By Ryan Disdier | Apr 30, 2015

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Sep 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Landon Collins (26) celebrates his interception in the fourth quarter of their game against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 42-21. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The ‘not-bad’ scenario: Landon Collins (safety, Alabama), or trading down

This is the ‘not-bad’ scenario because the Giants certainly do need at least some help at the safety position. All three of New York’s starters last year — Antrel Rolle, Quintin Demps and Stevie Brown — are no longer under contract. NFL’s Kimberly Jones reported Wednesday that Brown has agreed to terms with the Houston Texans.

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The Giants do have some young, unheralded players at safety, most notably second-year man Nat Berhe. Although not quite a household name yet, Berhe has a lot of talent, and he played very well on special teams last year.

Despite some concerns from the media, Berhe remains confident.

“I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t play,” Berhe said, according to Giants.com.

Berhe will likely be starting at one safety spot, but the other spot is rather open. Chykie Brown and Bennett Jackson are likely to move to safety, but they probably aren’t the best options. Cooper Taylor had a promising rookie season, but he can’t stay healthy.

Landon Collins could theoretically come in and fit nicely on this Steve Spagnuolo-led defense. He’s a hard hitter and he can shift the momentum of a game.

The concern some have is that Collins could either turn out like Mark Barron or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Both players are Alabama alumni, but Barron has fizzled out, while Clinton-Dix has flourished. From the film I’ve evaluated, I think I see more of the latter when I watch Collins play.

He has good ball skills and he has no qualms about making stops in the run game. The issue with taking him inside the top 10 is that he might not be worth it. There are other safety prospects who the Giants could get in later rounds — Kurtis Drummond, Damarious Randall — and taking a safety that high is always risky.

However, that brings us to the possibility that the Giants trade down. According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, the Giants and Browns have at least initial talks of New York moving back.

New York would likely get both of Cleveland’s first-round picks (12 and 19) and Collins would likely be available both times the Giants are on the clock.

Unless the Giants in fact make the uncharacteristic move and trade back, though, I don’t expect Collins to be landing with the Giants.

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