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Giants acquire third 1st-round pick, select Deandre Baker

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The New York Giants were busy on the first night of the draft.

The team traded with the Seattle Seahawks for the 30th overall pick to take cornerback Deandre Baker out of Georgia.

New York used its sixth overall selection on quarterback Daniel Jones and the No. 17 pick on Dexter Lawrence.

General manager Dave Gettleman has been actively trying to rebuild a franchise that has won a total of eight games in the past two seasons.

The Giants gave up the 37th, 132nd, and 142nd picks for the selection.

Prospect profile

School: Georgia
Height: 5-11
Weight: 193 lbs

Strengths

  • Productive collegiate career
  • Physical and makes 50/50 balls incredibly difficult to catch
  • Always in receivers' faces
  • Long arms that allow for a number of pass breakups
  • Technician in press coverage - stays balanced and knocks his opponents off their route
  • Reads the quarterback's eyes effectively and closes well on the ball
  • Didn't allow very many receptions this past season
  • Able to help out in run defense

Weaknesses

  • Average size, frame, and athleticism
  • Bails out of press coverage quickly knowing physical limitations
  • In trouble when he doesn't win off the line of scrimmage
  • Plays tall when backpedaling
  • Takes aggressive angles to the ball, which can backfire

Bottom line

Baker isn't the most fluid athlete in this draft, but he's a tough, technically proficient cornerback that makes every target difficult for wide receivers. The Jim Thorpe Award recipient is likely scheme dependent but he should thrive pressing in man coverage. Baker has every chance to make a significant early-career impact, depending on his landing spot.

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