CSN Mock Draft, Pick 19: Giants select …

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19. Menelik Watson, OT, FSU (6-6, 320)

With holes on defense, the Giants consider safeties John Cyprien or Matt Elam, but given the depth at safety in this draft class, they believe they can find a starter in the second round. They have a glaring hole at offensive tackle, so the Giants instead opt for Watson.

Watson has an interesting background. He was born in England. He then made a Spanish basketball team that earned him a scholarship to Marist. After realizing he wasn’t going to make it in the NBA, he tried boxing before giving football a shot. Once he found his footing on the gridiron, Watson dominated in junior college before winning the starting job a year ago at Florida State. The 6-foot-5 offensive tackle started every game for the Seminoles and decided to come out early.

The Giants have had great luck with unpolished but talented athletes in the recent past (Jason Pierre-Paul), and I believe they will roll the dice again. In Watson, the Giants are hoping to get the kind of player with athleticism for the position similar to the Eagles' Jason Peters. If they do, look out NFL. The Giants will be back among the best in the sport in no time.

Here’s another possibility to consider: Could the Giants be a team that trades up to try and get into the Eric Fisher mix -- presuming Fisher gets past the Chiefs with the first pick? If the Giants decide they need a major upgrade to their front line, they could be among the teams making a bold move. Just keep them in mind when thinking about trade partners for the teams in the top five looking to move down.

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