The New York Giants were in the enviable position of making luxury picks at the 2012 NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean the rookies won’t be contributing this season. With the departures of running back Brandon Jacobs, wide receiver Mario Manningham and the ongoing knee issues of cornerback Terrell Thomas, rookies David Wilson, Rueben Randle and Jayron Hosley could all play a significant role in the Giants’ attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions. And even if they aren’t starting, college teammates Wilson and Hosley could also serve at New York’s kick and punt returners respectively. In other words, Giants fans are going to become familiar with this rookie class in a hurry.
Top pick: RB David Wilson (first round, No. 32 overall) -- Wilson’s second preseason game can’t compare with his first. The 2011 ACC Player of the Year gained 43 yards on seven carries (including a 26-yard run), 26 yards on two catches and 76 yards on a pair of kick returns (including one 48-yard return). Wilson even registered a tackle. Thanks to the solid debut, Wilson went from fourth to third on the depth chart on Saturday -- running backs coach Jerald Ingram said Wilson won’t play with the first team until he can prove he can protect Eli Manning -- but he failed to impress as he had done against the Jaguars. Wilson finished with just 26 yards on eight carries against the Jets and didn’t register a return. Grade: B-
No. 2 pick: WR Rueben Randle (second round round, No. 63 overall) -- Randle was targeted three times against Jacksonville, making two catches for 27 yards. However, he may have leapfrogged over Ramses Barden in the second preseason game with his soaring 49-yard grab over the middle of the field. Barden played poorly (two targets, zero catches) and the same could have been said for Randle after his first target ended in an interception. However, quarterback Eli Manning took the blame afterward, saying that he was trying to throw the ball away and failed to put enough on it. Whether or not that’s true, you can still see Randle’s obvious talents. Grade: B
No. 3 pick: CB Jayron Hosley (third round, No. 94 overall) -- Hosley has been the busiest of all the Giants’ draft picks, and most of what he’s done has been positive. Yes, he did muff a punt against the Jaguars, which resulted in an easy touchdown before the half, but he also had a sack and broke a 20-yard return in the game. Hosley -- who roomed with Wilson at Virginia Tech -- played even better against the New York Jets, returning a Mark Sanchez pass 77 yards for an easy touchdown. As difficult as the interception was (he had to fight through some bodies to get to the ball), the return was a foregone conclusion. The second he caught the ball, Hosley was gone. The only bad news is that he was in a walking boot after the game, but if the injury isn’t serious, he could have won the nickel back job. Grade: A
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