7 Lesser-known Combine Attendees Who Could Fit Giants' Needs
The annual NFL Combine kicks off this coming week in Indianapolis, Indiana, an event that has become its competition and where teams such as the New York Giants hope to find their next stars.
Every year, there are players whose stock rises or falls based on their combined showing and their interviews with various teams' personnel. And every year, tucked away inside the big names are some lesser-known prospects that show up at the combine and show out. So here's a look at seven such prospects.
In advance of the combine, here are seven "lesser known" prospects that Giants fans might want to watch when the four-day on-field workouts begin on February 29.
RB Jaden Shirden, Monmouth
Giants fans should be extremely intrigued by this New Jersey product. Regardless of what happens with Saquon Barkley in free agency, the front office should be interested in bringing in this young man.
Like Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco, Shirden runs angry and only knows full speed. At Monmouth, he constantly looked like he was shot out of a cannon.
Over the past two seasons, he rushed for 3,200 yards and 23 touchdowns. He averaged a ridiculous 7.49 yards per carry. He is compactly built at 5’9” and 195 pounds, so he packs a punch, but he can also hit a home run from anywhere on the field.
The combine will put his measurables against a pretty good crop of backs, but nobody who is the head and shoulders best in class. He could climb up a couple of rounds when the running backs take the field with the quarterbacks and receivers on March 2.
WR Xavier Weaver, Colorado
The pendulum is swinging away from the oversized, athletic receivers who may lack versatility but can overwhelm defensive backs with their size back to the do-everything receivers.
Weaver is the latter type of receiver. At 6’1” and 185 pounds, he has good size, speed to stretch the field, agility to get in and out of breaks, and excellent hands.
He is not receiving a lot of fanfare in what could turn out to be the deepest receiver draft in quite some time, but if he goes to the combine and lights up the board, watch him gain much more traction because his film is quality.
Giants fans may want to keep an eye on him among all the stars performing on Saturday, March 2.
TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State
Yes, we know that Brock Bowers is in this draft, and while he is at the top of the class at this position, there is another versatile, explosive tight end in this draft, and that is Jaheim Bell.
One of Bell’s best qualities is his versatility. He has lined up all over the field. He was inline, in the slot, split wide, and in the backfield during his time in Tallahassee. There's a narrative that he struggles with catching the football, but he could calm some of that concern with a great performance. Expect to see him test well.
The Giants could use an explosive element at tight end or even fullback. Bell and the rest of the tight ends will be on center stage on Friday, March 1st.
OG Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
Giants fans should be excited to watch McCormick perform at the combine. He was the most dominant offensive lineman in the FCS this season and helped lead his team to the FCS Championship for the second straight season.
He is a big, powerful, and athletic offensive guard with much experience. There is no protecting him from another position. He is technically sound and can be devastating on the move and in space. Expect him to perform well during the on-field drills.
The questions surrounding McCormick will be the measurables, specifically how big, powerful, and athletic he is. If those questions are answered favorably, he could shoot up draft boards. He will be an excellent bargain for some team needing offensive line depth if they are not.
DL Eric Watts, Connecticut
Watts may be one of the most intriguing prospects at the NFL combine this year. He is 6’5” and 270 pounds and has played all across the defensive line, and that versatility has to be attractive to teams who are looking for a defensive lineman who could fill multiple roles.
Watts was not a prolific sack artist at UConn, but he did flash the ability to get after the quarterback. He also played well against the run. Is he an edge, a defensive end, a defensive tackle? The answer is probably yes, depending on the situation.
A great combine where he runs well and shows the explosiveness he exhibited during his Huskies career could leave scouts drooling over him. Watts and his fellow prospects will be on center stage on Thursday, February 29.
LB Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
Gibbs eclipsed 100 tackles over his last two seasons with the Cowboys. At 6’2” and 230 pounds, Gibbs looks like a part of the new-aged NFL inside linebacker. He has range to pursue the football sideline to sideline. He does an exceptional job of fitting in the appropriate run alley and defeating blocks and is a sure tackler.
Gibbs seems comfortable in coverage, and that will be the questions scouts look to answer in Indianapolis. How does he move, and how fast is he? They will also pay attention to how strong he appears, but the on-field drills will go a long way toward solidifying a position for him on Day 2 of the draft. Giants fans can check his performance on Thursday, February 29.
CB Willie Drew, Virginia State
Drew was probably a surprise invite to the combine out of HBCU Division 2 Virginia State, but if you turn on the film and watch him, he is an intriguing NFL prospect. He has legitimate NFL size at 6’ and 191 pounds. He also has the speed to burn.
What has scouts interested is how much he finds his hands on the football. Over the past two seasons, he amassed 11 interceptions and 34 pass breakups. He was named CIAA defensive player of the year in his final campaign.
Testing will be big for him. Can he outshine the major program guys in the 40-yard dash, pro agility, and explosion tests? That will go a long way to help his draft stock. Giants fans should keep an eye on him when the defensive backs take the field on Friday, March 1.
