The 2012 NFL Draft is less than a month away now, so the business of figuring out what players teams will target is now getting serious. ESPN draft expert Todd McShay Wednesday released a two-round mock draft, and in it he choose two players for the New York Giants who had not been connected to the defending Super Bowl champions in previous mock drafts.
In the first round, McShay has the Giants selecting LaVonte David, an outside linebacker from Nebraska. In the second round, McShay gives the Giants Mitchell Schwartz, an offensive tackle from Cal.
The David selection is an interesting one. Giants general manager Jerry Reese recently raised the possibility of weakside linebacker Michael Boley, who calls the defensive signals for the Giants, moving to the middle in 2012. Jacquian Williams could slide into the weak side, but so could a player like David. Here is what McShay said:
"The Giants might have bigger needs, but David is a great value and a perfect fit. He is one of the best pure football players in the entire draft, someone who could be plugged in on the weak side and allow Michael Boley to move to the middle."
David is a 6-foot-1, 233-pound linebacker ranked as the No. 37 overall prospect by SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.
NFL.com says:
"Has enormous tackle production throughout his two years at Nebraska, posting over 260 tackles in his short time there. Instincts are the key to his game, as he always seems to be in the middle of action whether rushing the passer or covering tight ends. Lavonte will need to stay off blocks at the next level and either gain strength to shed linemen or continue to play instinctually to stay free entirely. His athletic ability allows him to play loose and fly around, and he should go in the late first round to a team who loves undersized, athletic linebackers."
Schwartz is ranked as the 70th overall prospect by the National Football Post. The Giants have told long-time starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie that he won't be re-signed, and could use an infusion of youth in their aging offensive line.
The 6-foot-5, 318-pound Schwartz is a player who has been rising up draft boards, and NFP says "Displays solid athletic ability, but looks better suited to play on the right side in the NFL vs. less speed."