New York Giants: 7-Round 2018 mock draft almost one week away

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The offensive line woes of the Giants in 2017 were well documented. The Giants need upgrades across the line, and it began by signing Nate Solder at the beginning of the NFL Free Agency period. Now they must upgrade the interior in the draft.

On the interior, strength is the most important asset for any player. Smith has the strength needed to play guard. He can handle the bull rush and he fights well with his hands.

Football is a reactive game. a player shouldn’t be spending time thinking, just using his skills to out play his opponent. So there’s two things that stands out on his NFL.com draft profile.

"Plays at a slower pace than you would like Plays robotic and top-heavy at times"

That means he spends too much time thinking about his fundamentals, and it slows his game down.

Smith needs to stop thinking and just play. If he can do that, he will become a good NFL guard, and the Giants running and passing game will immediately improve. The combination of Solder and Smith could be a good one for the foreseeable future. Smith is a capable guard, and he could be the guy that Big Blue needs.

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