May 1, 2011
2011 NFL Draft Grades: New York Giants Take Linebackers, Safety in Sixth Round
Giants may have two immediate contributors, plus sleeper
Grades: A (Greg Jones), B (Tyler Sash), B+ (Jacquian Williams)
If I’m Tom Coughlin, I love the linebackers I got here in the fifth round in Michigan State’s Greg Jones and Jacquian Williams of South Florida. I’ll be stunned if either of them don’t wind up on the field soon.
As for the other pick in Iowa safety Tyler Sash: low risk, potential high reward.
Linebacker was a definite area of concern entering the draft, and I would say Jones may be right up with Prince Amukamara as far as talent goes.
Jones (6’0”, 242 pounds), who was taken with the 20th pick, played in 13 games last year, finishing with 106 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions, three pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles.
He leaves Michigan State near the top of the school’s career record books. He also led or tied for team highs in tackles in 31 of his last 39 games. Jones also has a good attitude about those who doubted his ability.
“I don’t look at it as anything personal,” he told Greg Johnson of the Grand Rapids Press. “I don’t hate them. They are just going on what they hear or see. I can’t complain about that. It is what it is. Eventually, I have to prove to my new teammates and coaches that I deserve a spot with them.”
Sash (6’0”, 211) had been criticized for his coverage skills, but he did leave Iowa ranked fifth in career interceptions at 13. He also has the school record for career interception return yards (392).
“If he’s around the ball he’s going to make a play,” ESPN’s Todd McShay said during the telecast. “…He’s been overachieving his whole career.”
Williams, who was taken with the 37th pick, spent two years at South Florida and finished with 99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, an interception and three pass breakups. He was one of the Bulls’ team captains last year and had a team-high 71 tackles.
“I felt like I did everything I could to put myself in this position, so seeing all that hard work payoff is great,” Williams said. “I think my best football is ahead of me and I’m going to continue to work as hard as I can to make my family and the Giants organization proud.”
The Giants know how to find value in the mid to late rounds. Something tells me they did it once again here.
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