Giants Named as a "Poor Fit" for This NFL Draft Prospect
Among the New York Giants' many needs are offensive linemen to help boost a unit that has ranked at or near the bottom in pass-blocking efficiency in the last three seasons.
And while this year's draft class is overflowing with prospective linemen, Bleacher Report's Matt Holder believes there is one prospect in this draft class that would not be a good fit for the Giants, though not for reasons relating to his play.
Holder, who penned an article on the worst landing spots for ten top prospects (as if they have a choice of where they are drafted), opines that Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt would not be a good fit for New York.
Why? Alt was primarily a left tackle in college, as Andrew Thomas plays. If he were to be selected by the Giants, Holder argues that Alt wouldn’t maximize his potential there, as he’d have to make the switch from left to right tackle, presumably to replace Evan Neal, who, through two seasons, has not developed into the solid blocker the team hoped the former seventh-round pick would become.
Here's what Holder had to say:
So, Alt would have to switch to right tackle, which can be a more difficult transition than most realize. Also, one of his areas of improvement, per (offensive line guru Brandon) Thorn, is power as a run-blocker, a traditionally common trait for a right tackle. In other words, there's a risk that the Notre Dame product won't be maximizing his potential in New York.”
Alt would be a solid pick regardless, and he wouldn't be the first offensive lineman chosen in the first round who is asked to change positions at the NFL level, nor will he be the last. Still, it’s easy to see why Holder and potentially many others would be skeptical of drafting Alt.
Moving from left to right tackle is easier said than done, as it was the same thing Neal had to do once he was drafted by the Giants.
Alt is regarded as the top offensive tackle in the class but is projected as a true left tackle. The Giants won’t have him there unless they plan to move Thomas to the right side (highly unlikely).
Drafting Alt shouldn't hinge on him being pigeonholed into one position. The Giants need studs on their offensive line, and while Allt will probably be long off the board before the Giants even have a chance to think about him, his college position shouldn't discourage the team from selecting him if he's the best available.
