New York Giants: Sam Beal a steal in 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft
The New York Giants stole a first-round talent in Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal with a third-round pick in the 2018 Supplemental Draft.
The 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft was held on July 11. It was an opportunity for NFL teams to bid on a player using their 2019 draft picks. The New York Giants surrendered their 2019 third-round pick for Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal after earning the winning bid.
Beal was touted by Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller as the best supplemental draft prospect since Josh Gordon. Moreover, Miller graded Beal as a 2019 first-round prospect. For the Giants, Beal is a steal and an ideal fit for defensive coordinator James Bettcher’s 3-4 hybrid scheme.
Based on the Giants third-round investment, Beal has an opportunity to start right away. Janoris Jenkins (29) is a couple of years removed from a Pro Bowl, so he has a guaranteed spot on the boundary. Eli Apple has yet to live up to the first-round hype, but he’ll benefit from Bettcher’s arrival as well.
Subsequently, Beal will compete with offseason acquisition Curtis Riley, and veterans Teddy Williams and William Gay for playing time.
Bettcher’s philosophy isn’t dictated by a strict scheme. However, he does use blitz-heavy aggressive play-calling. The aggressive nature of Bettcher’s scheme often uses Cover 1 or Cover 3. In other words, since his linebackers are used to rush the passer, putting more responsibility on the corners.
Beal has 4.4-4.5 speed with exceptional quickness and mirroring skills. Similarly to Tyrann Mathieu, who Bettcher coached in Arizona, Beal is an ideal fit for the nickel. Beal is a twitchy athlete who plays aggressively.
He contributes as a tackler in the run game — especially if he bulks up — and plays press coverage. Additionally, he can drop into zone coverage and does a great job playing the ball in the air. Like Mathieu, Beal is a chess piece who can line up outside or inside in Bettcher’s scheme.
The Giants were in desperate need of cornerback depth. Instead of relying on camp cuts, general manager Dave Gettleman took a leap of faith and gambled on Beal. After the draft, Gettleman expressed his excitement now that Beal was a Giant, per USA Today.
"“We’re very, very excited about getting Sam in the draft… “He’s long, he’s very athletic for a corner, he has all the physical skills, he can carry the vertical, he has very good play speed, he shows instincts out there, he has ball awareness, he doesn’t panic when the ball is thrown at his guy, and he is a very willing tackler. We just feel it gives us a really talented young kid with the ability to ascend.”"
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With Beal’s skill-set and Bettcher’s defensive philosophy, the Giants got themselves a steal. Expect Beal to contribute right away for the Giants.