New York Giants pick Nebraska linebacker Phillip Dillard
The Giants drafted Nebraska middle linebacker Phillip Dillard within the fourth round with the 115th general selection. The 6-foot, 245-pound Dillard was rated as the eighth-best middle linebacker inside the draft by ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay.
The Giants have gone defense with their initial four draft picks, as general manager Jerry Reese has made it clear he won’t tolerate one more year or so like final 12 months when the Giants completed 8-8 and had difficulties stopping teams.
The Giants’ most pressing require entering the draft was at middle linebacker, to replace Antonio Pierce, who was released earlier this year. But Reese selected South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul with the 15th overall choose, East Carolina defensive tackle Linval Joseph inside the 2nd round, and LSU safety Chad Jones inside the third. Marc Ross, the Giants’ director of college scouting, said there was a huge drop-off right after Alabama’s Rolando McClain, the top-rated middle linebacker inside the draft who was taken eighth total by the Raiders.
The Raiders then traded veteran middle linebacker Kirk Morrison for the Jaguars for the 108th pick inside the fourth round, eight picks just before the Giants took Dillard.
Dillard will certainly have an chance to compete to the beginning middle linebacker work. He does have a history of injuries, but he says he is wholesome now. He missed all but the couple of years opener from the 2006 year or so with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He also sat out the last four games of the 2008 year or so with an ankle injury.
Dillard, who played alongside the 2nd overall pick within the draft. defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, was thrilled to go to the Giants and hopes he can assist fill the Pierce void.
“I know that he left and I know the Giants are a good fit for me,” Dillard said.
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