NFL Draft experts give their latest predictions on the Giants' 2017 first round Pick:
Like Odell Beckham Jr. in an open field, the NFL offseason continues to speed by. With the scouting combine in the rearview mirror and free agency well underway, the next marquee event on the offseason calendar is inching closer.
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The 2017 NFL Draft, held in Philadelphia this year, is only six weeks away. And the next wave of mock drafts continue to roll in, virtually on a bi-weekly basis. ESPN's Todd McShay has released his mock draft 3.0 and has the Giants locked in on a left tackle, Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk.
Ramczyk has been a trendy selection to the Giants in many recent mock drafts. Ramczyk started at left tackle for the Badgers in 2016 and earned first-team All-Big Ten and AP All-American honors. The Badgers finished 11-3, culminating with a win in the Cotton Bowl.
Ramczyk (pronounced RAM-check) underwent hip surgery after the Cotton Bowl and did not go through onfield workouts at the combine. He measured in at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds and put up 25 reps on the bench press.
"With Eli Manning turning 36, don't be surprised if the Giants draft a QB at some point in this draft," McShay wrote. "But that's more likely to come in the middle rounds. Ramczyk is dealing with a hip injury, so the medical recheck in April will factor into where he's selected. But if everything comes up good, Ramczyk has the length and mirroring ability to finally answer the Giants' problems at left tackle."
Here's a look at the other recent mock drafts and the projections for the Giants at No. 23:
Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated (3/15)
Pick: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Analysis: "My guess is, when all is said and done, at least one OT sneaks into the top 15—maybe even top 10. Robinson has franchise LT upside and a starting guard/RT baseline."
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com (3/14)
Pick: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
**Analysis**: "The Giants have been able to find bargain-bin tight ends in recent draft classes, but the value of Howard at this point in the draft might be too enticing to pass up."
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (3/13)
Pick: Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
**Analysis**: "Reddick has the ability to play any of the three linebacker spots and he can provide some pass rush off the edge if needed."
Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus (3/14)
Pick: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
**Analysis**: "This move is all about loading up on playmakers for the Giants' offense. They already brought in former Jets WR Brandon Marshall to pair with Odell Beckham, Jr. and Sterling Shepard, and Howard adds a middle-of-the-field complement to the strong receiving corps. Howard wasn't used often in the passing game at Alabama, but has the size and speed to stretch the seam; he averaged 7.1 yards after the catch per reception over the last three seasons."
Rob Rang, The Sports Xchange (3/13)
Pick: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
**Analysis**: "The Giants rushed for a miniscule 3.5 yards per carry in 2016 and scored a league-low six touchdowns on the ground and (their) tackles struggled with speed rushers. Adding former first-round pick D.J. Fluker helps at guard, but if a gifted left tackle like Ramczyk was still on the board, incumbent starting blindside blocker Ereck Flowers could be moved to his more natural right side, potentially improving three positions immediately." Will Brinson, CBS Sports (3/9)
Pick: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
**Analysis**: "This probably isn't going to happen, but the lights would be bright on the North Carolina product in the draft room if it did, and the Giants would get a steal, not to mention set themselves up for the long haul by getting an Eli Manning replacement."
Peter Prisco, CBS Sports (3/15)
Pick: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
**Analysis**: "They need help up front in the worst way. Bolles can play left tackle and they could move Ereck Flowers to the right side."
Charlie Casserly, NFL.com (3/7)
Pick: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin (Projected trade up with Titans to No. 18 pick)
**Analysis**: "The Giants get the left tackle they desperately need."
