2016 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Select OT Ronnie Stanley at No. 10

With the tenth pick in the 2016 DBN Community NFL Mock Draft, the New York Giants select...

Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

The selection and write-up were made by mrwhitman:

I can see it now.  Eli Manning will be sitting in his comfy couch beside his wife, Abby, and their three children.  Now that brother Peyton is out of the NFL, he will be there too trying to convince Eli to start a Papa John's franchise.  They are watching the draft especially concerned with whom the Giants will pick at #10.  The pick is in!  Eli waits as Roger Goodell walks across the stage, takes a moment and…

Eli Manning drops to his knees thanking GM Jerry Reese and new head coach Ben McAdoo for drafting offensive tackle, Ronnie Stanley, to keep him off the ground in 2016.  Manning was sacked 94 times with 55 interceptions in the past 3 seasons.  Eli Manning is 35 years old, entering his 13th NFL season in 2016.  For the Giants to be successful this season, Manning will have to remain upright and protected.

The New York Football Giants have multiple needs on both sides of the ball and must address these holes in this draft.  I could have gone defensive line, wide receiver or running back but I decided to draft cautiously and conservatively going with the 2nd best offensive tackle in the draft.  Zeke Elliot will be tempting, as he would immediately become the 2nd best stud player on the offense but the Giants running back room is already crowded due to free agency additions.  The Giants need a complimentary receiver across from Odell Beckham, Jr., but wide receiver can be addressed in the second round.  They signed Oliver Vernon in the offseason to a massive 5-year contract and re-upped with the firecracker of a defensive end, Jason Pierre-Paul, for one more season.  The Giants drafted Erick Flowers last year but has underperformed at left tackle in 2015.  Flowers could be better suited for the right side as a run blocking tackle and will probably eventually move to that side eventually.

Ronnie Stanley is a road grader with natural bend who has all the technique and skills needed as an NFL offensive tackle.  He is an intelligent and technically sound athletic offensive lineman that can play either left or right tackle.  He was a 3-year starter for the Irish starting 27 games at left tackle the past two seasons and 13 games in 2013.  Stanley's footwork is one of his best skills.  He should be able to handle the majority of NFL spin moves with his dancing feet.  He gets good knee bend while being light on his feet as he is often playing up on the balls of his feet.  He has quick speed and very nice get off allowing him to get into good position challenging speed rushing edge defensive ends with a good swim move.  With Stanley's quick punch with his large hands (10 ? ") and long arms (35 ?"), he can stun and move incoming rushers at will.  As he grows and gets bigger in his upper body he will get even better holding off the bull rush.

To start the 2016 season though, Erik Flowers will most remain playing left tackle and Stanley will block as the Giants right tackle.  This will be a temporary assignment as Stanley will eventually move to left tackle and cover Manning and his eventual successor's blind side for many years to come.  With the addition of Ronnie Stanley, Eli Manning will not have to open a pizza restaurant in 2016.

The Giants went heavy on the defensive side of things in terms of upgrading talent, and while I think Elliot would be tempting as suggested, I think Stanley can be more valuable to the Giants. Going tackle in back-to-back years might not be popular, but it'll give the Giants enough flexibility to find the right positions for both players and have a couple of core linemen set for years to come.

The Chicago Bears are up next, led by Barnestorm.

2016 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)