New York Giants: Quinnen Williams, Josh Allen, Devin White all on the Board – Who do the Giants Take?

Here’s a hypothetical question that is far from reality but a genuine dilemma for the New York Giants. What position should be prioritized if a defensive prospect is at the top of the draft board?

Let’s consider this wild scenario – Quinnen Williams, Josh Allen, and Devin White are all available. What player do the Giants take, and why? The answer will give us a little insight into what position is void of premium talent and who has the most potential for success.

What does Quinnen Williams offer the New York Giants?

Williams was a monster interior defender for Alabama in 2018, displaying elite strength and agility off the line. His ability to beat offensive linemen is impressive – using quick bursts and great hand placement. The major knock against him is his lack of mass and length which could show up at the NFL level.

A single season of top-tier production thrust him into the national spotlight, but his positives are clear. Williams has Pro Bowl talent, but he’s not the most proven player of the three options stated above. However, he would fit in perfectly on the Giants’ defensive line – DC James Bettcher utilizes a 3-4 defense and having an exceptional down lineman with the ability to rush the passer would benefit the defense as a whole.

Lining up alongside Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill would make the front three one of the more underrated groups in the league.

2.) Devin White

The LSU linebacker is one of the most polished players in the draft – so much so, I simply cannot find a knock on him. He’s physical, fast, agile, and is a natural born leader. The only thing I could say is drafting a linebacker at No. 6 is a bit high, but a player if White’s caliber is simply too enticing.

In addition to all of these positives, he has a proven track record and is extremely efficient on the football field. White has earned over 120 tackles in two consecutive seasons and has 7.5 sacks combined to sweeten the deal. He wouldn’t replace Olivier Vernon’s production by any means, but pairing him with Alec Ogletree would immediately make the middle of the defense the strong point and increase the efficiency of the unit altogether.

White could be the most sure-fire player in the draft.

3.) Josh Allen

Allen would be a ‘perfect’ fit for the Giants in the 3-4 scheme. As an outside linebacker, Allen has the speed, length, and height to dominate offensive tackles at the next level and replace Vernon with ease. He’s also solid in coverage which improves his draft stock even more.

Earning 17 sacks and 21.5 tackles for a loss in 2018 only promotes Allen’s abilities even further. Coming from a  smaller school helped him gain recognition. My only reservation is that he didn’t perform particularly well against better teams.

Combining his efforts against Georgia and Texas A&M – 5 solo tackles, 0 sacks. If he cannot produce against greater teams, it puts a question mark on his abilities at the NFL level. However, it’s possible they managed to scheme him out of the game and forced other playmakers on Kentucky to step up, which they clearly failed to do. A minor reservation in regard to Allen, but I believe he will be a great talent at the next level nonetheless.

The final decision:

With these three options on the board, I would go ahead and select Devin White. Why? Because he’s the most proven and has performed exceptionally well against better teams in college football. Additionally, he’s a superb leader with the ability to elevate the play of the players around him. Taking him at No. 6 is more than justified. Given Williams and Allen are likely better fitted for the Giants, this goes to show how talented the defensive crop is in the 2019 NFL draft.