Travis Long and the NFL: New York Giants
By Josh Davis
NY Giants
Aug 10, 2012; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; A general view of a football and helmet during the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants preseason game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants are going to be looking early and often for defensive play-makers at linebacker. If they take a couple LB’s early on or by the middle rounds somewhere, Long will be off of their needs list late. If he had stayed healthy and had been able to put on a good show at the combine, I would put NY as a prime destination, but as it is it will depend on how they attack the front 7 needs early on.
The Perfect Storm:
Long fits perfectly in New York for several reasons, but as I said, I’m not sure his position of outside linebacker won’t be filled by the time his name starts coming up as a value pick. Regardless, this team is in need of a starter at the linebacker level and a backup at both LB and DE. Of course, Travis Long fills both needs with one pick and allows the Giants to address an extra offensive need if they so choose.
Long is also a tireless worker who won’t be bothered by the coaching style of Coughlin. If he were drafted by New York, I could see Long having a quietly solid and surprising rookie season for them.
Likelihood of Getting Drafted by Giants:
B (The later it gets without them drafting a second linebacker or highly touted DE, the better the chances become for Long to NY)