April is upon us, and that means the NFL Draft is just a few weeks away.
Whether you can't wait to see the latest mock draft or would rather just fast forward to training camp, the first round on the 26th is rapidly approaching.
And while rosters continue to take shape, pundits are weighing in with their projections and will be doing so up until commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium at Radio City Music Hall.
ESPN's Todd McShay recently updated his mock draft and projects the Giants will take Nebraskalinebacker Lavonte David with the 32nd pick.
"That was best player available in that scenario that made any sense," McShay told ESPNNewYork.com. "I actually don't know if in their minds that they need to go and draft a linebacker. To me, David at 32 is a great value. I think he is one of the more underrated prospects in this entire draft.
"I'll be honest, I underrated him just based off of what I saw watching games during the season and just looking at his size and not thinking that maybe he'd be able to take on blocks and get through traffic at the next level. When I started watching tape of him, I'd get excited about the little things he's doing, his instincts, he is always around the ball. The more I watched, the more I really believe that he's going to be able to play at the next level and do it at a high level."
Don Banks of Sports Illustrated sees Big Blue thinking offensively, however, and taking offensive lineman Bobby Massie from Ole Miss.
"Well why not get Eli Manning a potential starter at right tackle who also happens to be a fellow former Rebel?" writes Banks. "Massie is right on the verge of a first-round grade, and at 6-6, 316 pounds, he has outstanding size and reach by NFL standards. If the Giants surprise us and go running back, Miami's Lamar Miller and Boise State's Doug Martin are the names to keep an eye on."
Meanwhile, NFL Network's Chad Reuter thinks defensive tackle Jerel Worthy from Michigan State could further strengthen the Giants' front four.
"The Super Bowl champions have built a strong defensive line by snapping up high-value players despite stronger needs at other positions," he said. "If Worthy is available here, his strength and quickness off the snap makes him a bargain."
QUICK HITS>> Just two months removed from a second Super Bowl victory, former Illini and current New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl was on hand at his alma mater's ninth spring practice.
"I've always been a proud Illini," Diehl said. "Growing up here, growing up in Chicago, being an Illini, there's nothing better."
Read more from Chad Thornburg in The Daily Illini.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara visited Lincoln High School to raise awareness of Collegebound Nebraska, a tuition-assistance program that allows qualifying students to attend the University of Nebraska without paying tuition. [Lincoln Journal Star]
"My football talents allowed me to get a scholarship so I could pursue my goal of earning a college degree," he said in a news release. "But I want students to know that they don't have to be an elite athlete to afford to go to college."
The New York Football Giants will host their first-ever tweetup on April 18, and 50 lucky fans will win the chance to meet players and tour the training facility.
For more information, visit Giants.com/Tweetup.
