New York Giants Might Find Ronnie Stanley Too Good To Pass Up In 2016 NFL Draft

While the New York Giants have spent a good deal of money and all of their attention on defense in free agency, they could look to address a hole on offense with their first pick, No. 10 overall, in the 2016 NFL Draft. One area of need is offensive tackle, and this draft could see two tackles taken in the first 10 picks. Depending on how the chips fall, GM Jerry Reese could pick an offensive lineman in the first round for the third time in four years if Ronnie Stanley is still available.

Stanley is a Notre Dame product who can play either left tackle or right tackle at the next level. The Giants did take Ereck Flowers last year, and he improved at left tackle enough for them to leave him there and plug the hole on the right side. With the release of Will Beatty and Geoff Schwartz, the Giants definitely do have a need on the offensive line. They have shown an interest in Russell Okung and Donald Penn in free agency, so they are obviously looking to fill that hole on the right side.

The film on Stanley shows a guy who loves to engage and stays engaged until the whistle. He isn’t afraid to mix it up and will seek out contact on most plays. He might not be ready for left tackle in the NFL, as he does need to work on his technique in pass protection, but Stanley is very consistent in the run game. He would easily slide in as a starting right tackle with the ability to move to left tackle and potentially make a few trips to the Pro Bowl in his career.

He has excellent size at 6-foot-5, 312 pounds, and could actually add a little weight without it causing issues though it isn’t necessary. He is strong but needs to be a little more violent with his hands and his push. Those are easy to teach if he is willing to learn.

The Giants might get a shot at taking him and he may be too intriguing to pass up. They have done an outstanding job rebuilding the offensive line in recent years by drafting Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg and Flowers. Even Bobby Hart looks like a prospect at guard. All would be young and it could be a dominant unit moving forward even if they don’t get Stanley, but with him it could be one of the best in football soon enough. If he is there when the Giants draft he could be too good to pass up.