Giants hit a home run in PFF's day three draft fits
The New York Giants hold seven picks on day three of the NFL Draft, spanning from rounds four through seven. While the glitz and glamor of the Draft are reserved for round one, and the top-end starters of many teams are selected on day two, the final day of the Draft is where teams are […]
The New York Giants hold seven picks on day three of the NFL Draft, spanning from rounds four through seven.
While the glitz and glamor of the Draft are reserved for round one, and the top-end starters of many teams are selected on day two, the final day of the Draft is where teams are built.
An organization's ability to draft and develop is unveiled through their ability to hit on these picks, often turning projects into players. Well, in PFF's day three draft fits, the Giants get a start on that process with one particular prospect.
Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati
Mike Renner's blurb on why Pace is a perfect day three fit for the Giants:
Pace was the best blitzing linebacker in college football last season, and he goes to the NFL's blitz-heaviest team. He racked up a ridiculous 55 pressures as an off-ball linebacker for Cincinnati.
Pace is the ultimate football player, and more specifically, linebacker. He plays with his hair on fire, constantly finding his way to the ball whether it be as a tackler, coverage player, or as mentioned, a blitzer.
So why is Pace slated to be around on day three you ask?
Measurables.
Pace is an above-average athlete for a linebacker, evident by his speed and explosion scores on the above RAS metric.
But his height of 5'10'' places him in the one percentile of all linebacker prospects since MockDraftable started recording data.
Now that doesn't mean Pace can't be a useful NFL player. His ability to win as a pass rusher is uncanny for off-ball linebackers, so much so, that if not for his height, teams would likely experiment with him as a designated pass rusher.
But that's not the case, meaning Pace will likely have to start his career on special teams, proving he can earn a spot on the active roster and garner snaps in real game action.
But I wouldn't bet against Pace. Players who play fast and have instincts like his are hard to come by.
This also isn't the 1990s anymore, and linebackers don't have to be 6'3"-250, plugging the run and taking on double teams.
Today's game is about speed and working in space, making Pace a draftable prospect and one that could be on the Giants for some time.
