The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is history, and mock drafts and big boards everywhere are being shuffled as a result. In the latest seven-round 2012 NFL Mock Draft from Draft Tek, released Wednesday, the results of that shuffling can be seen in the selections Draft Tek’s simulation assigned to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
With the 32nd and final pick of the first round, Draft Tek assigned Whitney Mercilus, defensive end, Illinois to the Giants. Draft Tek analyst Bill Bliss says:
"In most mocks, Mercilus has been going in the mid first, and he’s ranked #14 overall on Drafttek’s Big Board. Getting him at #32 would be an absolute steal. In 2012, Mercilus led nation with 16 sacks and 9 forced fumbles, earning the Ted Hendricks Award for best DE. That Sack:FF ratio reminds me a lot of our own Osi Umenyiora. While DE is not a glaring need for the Giants, having 3 Pro-Bowl caliber DEs on the field has helped to win 2 Super Bowls in 4 years. If Osi leaves, Mercilus could be his replacement and keep the Giants’ elite defensive line strong. "
Here are the rest of Draft Tek’s selections for the Giants:
Round 2 (64th overall) — Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Round 3 (95th overall) — Brian Linthicum, TE, Michigan State
Round 4 (127th overall) — Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
Round 5 (159th overall) — Tank Carder, OLB, TCU
Round 6 (190th overall) — Lance Lewis, WR, East Carolina
Round 7 (22nd overall) — Jerry Franklin, MLB, Arkansas
The most astounding thing about this draft to me, were it to play out this way? There is not a single offensive lineman selected in this draft class, and along with tight end those would appear to be the two areas the Giants most need to address this offseason.
— See Mocking The Draft for complete draft coverage. Prospect profiles can also be found at the National Football Post, an SB Nation partner.