New York Giants Select Tackle Matt McCants in 6th Round

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With the 201^st overall pick, 31^st in the 6^th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected tackle, Matt McCants out of the University of Alabama-Birmingham.  This is the second tackle that the Giants have used a selection on.

McCants is 6’5” and weighs 309 pounds.  To most people that is a monster of a man, but there are scouts that call McCants tall and lean with the ability to add more bulk to his frame.  At UAB, he was the starting left tackle.

Here is the scouts take on McCants:

“Long and quick enough to take away the edge.  Strong for size and can hold ground when beats defender to the top of drop but can give too much ground when defenders get under him before he gets set.  Moves well laterally and can improve with better technique but narrow base and inability to sink hinders ability to redirect quickly at this point.”

The scouting report continues, “Lack of experience at high school level and academic problems raise concerns here.  Can pick up line stunts but inconsistent in this area.  Appeared to have some problems locating assignments at the second level.  Can over-commit to defender and get caught out of position as a zone blocker.  Flashes nasty disposition.  More of a finesse wall-off blocker than a mauler.  Not violent or aggressive enough at the second level.”

The offensive line depth chart is now starting to get crowded for the Giants.  Will Beatty is slated to begin the season at left tackle.  David Diehl is versatile and can play either left tackle or guard, but could potentially move to right tackle.  The Giants also have James Brewer, Sean Locklear and 4^th round pick Brandon Mosley capable of playing tackle already on the roster. 

At this time, McCants really just provides depth for the team, if he even makes the final roster.  Beatty is entering the final year of his contract, so the Giants could be looking at McCants as a potential piece further down the road past this season.  It is never a bad thing having developmental pieces on your roster.  The Giants are very good at developing younger players so that they are able to reload on the run and not have to go into full blown rebuilding processes. 

That is exactly how Jerry Reese sees it.  McCants could possibly be a starter down the future, and they intend on developing him to see what they got.  “Really a pleasant surprise when you watch him,” Reese said.  “He is intriguing.  Long, 36-inch arms.  He is 315 now and I think he will be 325 pounds in a blink.  Very interesting prospect for us.  I think in a year or so he can make some headway and start challenging for a spot in our starting lineup.  I think he is going to be that kind of player for us.”

High praise for a 6^th round draft pick in which the Giants are very high on.