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Giants GM won't rule out taking a linebacker or safety at No. 5
TL;DR
Giants GM Joe Schoen is open to selecting a linebacker or safety, specifically Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs, with the No. 5 pick in the upcoming draft. This decision challenges the conventional wisdom regarding positional value in high draft picks.
Giants GM won't rule out taking a linebacker or safety at No. 5 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The conventional knock on picking Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs at No. 5 is positional value. The New York Giants seem to have set that concern aside, and Joe Schoen confirmed as much on Tuesday.
Schoen won't close the door on two Buckeye defenders at No. 5
"That wouldn't be out of the question. Those are really good football players. Those are the conversations we're having right now. Hey, we like all these guys, but you've got to pick one and a couple of them are going to be there. We're working on stacking that right now. But you speak of Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, talk about talented defense; we've watched a lot of Ohio State defensive film the last couple of months. A lot of good football players from top to bottom on that defense. Those are two of the key players on that defense that we looked at. Certainly, guys that we've talked a lot about and think very highly of." Schoen said at his Tuesday news conference.
Both are genuinely good players. But taking a linebacker or safety fifth overall is rare, and not everyone around the league agrees positional value should be ignored that high.
Then again, we've seen this from Schoen before. He took Abdul Carter third overall last year without a pressing positional need.
A good player is a good player. It is hard to argue he got his logic wrong.
Schoen also brought up Jeremiyah Love on Tuesday, calling him "an offensive weapon" rather than a running back. But he likes his current backfield, which makes Love the longer shot here.
Arvell Reese, the third Ohio State player in this class, is almost certainly gone before New York picks. That leaves Styles or Downs as the only Buckeye options at No. 5.
Tuesday's comments made it clear the Giant is not going to pass on a great player just because of position. One of those two Buckeyes is probably going to be a Giant.
More NFL news:
Q&A
Why is the Giants GM considering a linebacker or safety at No. 5?
Giants GM Joe Schoen believes Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs are talented players, and the team is evaluating all options for their draft strategy.
Who are Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs?
Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs are standout defensive players from Ohio State University, both of whom have garnered attention as potential high draft picks.
What is the significance of positional value in NFL drafts?
Positional value refers to the perceived importance of certain positions in the draft, with many believing that selecting linebackers or safeties high is less valuable compared to other positions like quarterback or offensive tackle.
