When the warm air starts to settle over the east coast, NFL football fans across the nation know that the season will soon be coming. Having saidthat we have to start focusing on our newbie’s to see what they can produce. With the Giants’ first three picks in the draft they selected RB David Wilson (Virginia Tech), WR Rueben Randle (Louisiana State University), and corner back Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech).

David Wilson (RB) was the first drafted by the Giants, 32nd pick (32nd overall). He is a junior out of Virginia Tech. Stands at 5’9, 206 lbs, and is 20 years old. At VT he started in all 14 games. David was the ACC offensive player of the year, and a unanimous first team All-ACC running back. He is an early favorite to become Bradshaw’s back up. Both are Virginia natives. With the loss of Jacobs and the fact that the Giants were 32nd in the run game last season, Wilson could be just what the G-men need. Reese and Coughlin did not use their first pick on a guy who couldn’t help his team immediately.

At VT David took over 700 snaps on offense and 51 on special teams. He rushed for a school record of 1,709 yds on 290 carries. Averaging 5.9 yds a carry. Wilson also had 9 tds for an average of 122.1 rushing yds per game. Scoring 10 games with 100+ yds rushing, he tied an ACC single season record set in 2009. David looks and fights for every yard, breaks a lot of tackles, and is probably more than people would think when looking at his exterior. He has phenomenal speed. Kevin Gilbride saw the explosiveness within the first practice, stating, “He looks like if there’s a hole, he’s going to get through it and he’s going to give you a chance to make some big plays”.

The second pick for the Giants was in the second round. The Giants selected WR Rueben Randle 31^st pick 63^rd overall. Rueben is a Jr. from LSU. He is 6’2, 210 lbs, and 21 years of age. The Giants had discussions of picking Randle up in the first round, but decided to go with a running back. When they did pick up Rueben, he basically became their third wide receiver, behind Nicks and Cruz. The Giants feel he is NFL ready. Rueben had 97 receptions for 1,634 yards and 13 touchdowns in his three years with LSU. In 2011 alone he had 53 catches for 917 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He averaged 17 yards per reception. Keep in mind that LSU last year was primarily a run/defensive team, leaving the wide outs less time to shine. Rueben is a confident receiver with strong hands and is very quick after the catch. He can make tough catches over his head with the outstanding body control to adjust.

With Manningham going to San Fran in free agency, Randle has the talent to play both flanker/ and split end with good size. Rueben will be competing against Dominick Nixon, Ramses Barden, and Jerrel Jerningan for that third wide out spot. He’s a good route runner and has got position savvy. He KNOWS how to get open. With a strong passing game he emerge with the Giants. With the first two picks the Giants organization handed Eli (aka Mr. Elite) two new toys to play with in David and Rueben.

The Giants may just have some love for Virginia Tech because their third draft pick was Jaryon Hosley in the 3^rd round 31^st pick 94^th overall. Jayron is a junior corner back from VT. The 21 year old is 5’10, 170 lb. That’s not the desirable height for that position, but the Giants see bigger potential from him saying that he will supersede his height. A 2-year starter earned the reputation of a playmaker. He plays with confidence and swag. Jayron played defense and special teams at VT. He has outstanding hands and an impressive vertical leap that he can make even with his size deficiency in the pass coverage. In 8 games at corner Jayron had 31 tackles, 3 ints, 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble. Averaged 11.1 yds as the Hokies primary punt returner. He is up against Prince Amukamara for playing time. In today’s NFL you can never have enough corners. His best fit would be in a cover two or zone scheme. He is also adequate enough in all areas to play in any scheme, particularly nickel. With his elite awareness and vision he has the ability to become a full time starter. If not for lack of size, he would have been drafted in the first round.

Jayron has tremendous ball skills. Plays the ball like a receiver in the air because he will go up and get it at it’s highest point. He has no problems turning around to locate the football and has very good tracking skills. He routinely uses his off-hand to break up passes when coming down. Aaron Ross said of Hosley, “He’s a ball hawk, always seems to be in the right spot to make plays in the secondary”. Jayron commented on how he wants to follow in the footsteps of the great Hokies alumni DeAngelo Hall and Brandon Flowers.

Only time will tell how the G-men’s new draft picks will do at the NFL level, but the Giants are very confident it will work out for the best.

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Written by Wendy

One could say sports has been instilled upon me since birth, being born on a Superbowl Sunday in 1979. From day one I was bleeding Giants blue. My father brought me up to become a women writer and broadcaster for men professional sports. Women seldom did such a thing, and he wanted me to be one of the few. The New York Football Giants was a religion in my home, so much so that we had to pray to a Giants plaque before every game. Die hard enough to the extent of having the Giants helmet tattooed to back of my neck with the Superbowl wins written on the sides of it. Growing up with an older brother, he and his friends let me play street football, baseball, and basketball with them. I’ve done internships with News 12 sports New York, ABC sports New York, 1050 AM ESPN New York, and while attending Queens College hosted the football radio show.