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Could the New York Giants use their first-round pick, 32nd overall, on a wide receiver? The New York Jets are sniffing around a lot of the top receivers in the draft. Are they serious about trying to grab one early in the 2012 NFL Draft? How early will someone grab Mohamed Sanu, formerly of Rutgers, who is generally considered a second- or third-round pick?
Let's continue our position-by-position previews of the draft by looking at the wide receiver position, one that is in play for both the Giants and Jets.
Top 5 Wide Receivers [Rated By SI.com]
Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video Profile
Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video Profile
NOTES: Floyd could be selected as early as No. 7 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Or, he could end up sliding all the way to somewhere between the 20th and 25th selection of the first round.
Kendall Wright, Baylor
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Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech
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Reuben Randle, LSU
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Local Player To Watch -- Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers [Big Blue View Prospect Profile]
Sanu is the No. 6-ranked receiver by SI.com, and the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder profiles as a likely second-round selection in the upcoming draft.
Here is SI's scouting report on Sanu:
Positives: Well-sized possession receiver whose game is on the rise. Strong, battles in a crowd and consistently comes away with the difficult reception. Exposes himself to big hits in order to make catches. Comes back to the ball out of breaks, extends his hands and offers the quarterback a nice target. Effortlessly makes the reception in contorted positions and looks the ball into his hands. Possesses both soft and strong hands. Big bodied receiver who takes a pounding yet holds onto the throw.
Negatives: One speed wideout who does not possess a burst. Shows minimal quickness in his game. Average route runner.
Analysis: Sanu made an immediate impact as a true freshman at Rutgers and really watched his game take off last season. He's a possession wide out with the ability to be a number two receiver at the next level if he continues to progress.
DraftTek currently has Sanu going to the Minnesota Vikings with the third pick of third round, 66th overall, in its most recent mock draft. Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has the former Rutgers star going to the Buffalo Bills in the second round, 41st overall.
Other Players To Watch
Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina; Chris Givens, Wake Forest; Brian Quick, Appalachian State; Nick Toon, Wisconsin; T.Y. Hilton, Florida International; Devon Wylie, Fresno State; DeVier Posey, Ohio State; B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State.
New York Giants
The defending Super Bowl champion Giants lost third wide receiver Mario Manningham, a speedy play-maker, to the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent. The Giants have several possible replacements, but not an obvious leading candidate for the third wide receiver. Some think the Giants could use their first pick on a receiver, and if a player like Georgia Tech's Hill or -- somehow -- Wright from Baylor is sitting at 32 that is a possibility. At the least, expect the Giants to use a mid- or late-round pick to add competition. The Giants have had visits with Sanu and Wylie.
New York Jets
Santonio Holmes is back with the team, for better or worse. Plaxico Burress is gone, and the Jets could use a wide receiver to give the Mark Sanchez/Tim Tebow quarterback duo another weapon. The Jets did host Notre Dame's Floyd for a visit, but seem unlikely to use the 16th pick on a receiver. They have, however, had Wake Forest's Givens, Georgia Tech's Hill, LSU's Randle, Baylor's Wright, and Sanu in for visits. That tells you it is a position they are looking to supplement.