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          New York Giants

          Rapid Reaction: Giants draft a left tackle

          • Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff WriterApr 28, 2012, 05:27 PM ET
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              Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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          PLAYER: Matt McCants

          SCHOOL: University of Alabama at Birmingham

          POSITION: Offensive tackle

          HEIGHT: 6-5

          WEIGHT: 309

          The Giants went with another offensive tackle in the draft by taking McCants. The 6-5 UAB product is a left tackle and will add depth to the Giants' offensive line.

          THE 411: McCants is considered tall and a little lean with room to add bulk. He started at left tackle for UAB. He missed all of the 2008 season after being ruled academically ineligible.

          According to Scouts Inc., McCants is "long and quick enough to take away the edge. Strong for size and can hold ground when beats defender to the top of drop but can give too much ground when defenders get under him before he gets set. Moves well laterally and can improve with better technique but narrow base and inability to sink hinders ability to redirect quickly at this point.

          "Lack of experience at high school level and academic problems raise concerns here. Can pick up line stunts but inconsistent in this area. Appeared to have some problems locating assignments at the second level. Can over-commit to defender and get caught out of position as a zone blocker. Flashes nasty disposition. More of a finesse wall-off blocker than a mauler. Not violent or aggressive enough at the second level."

          HOW HE FITS IN: The Giants' offensive line room is getting crowded. They already have Will Beatty at left tackle. David Diehl can play left tackle and left guard but could potentially move to right tackle. The Giants have a bunch of tackles right now with James Brewer, Sean Locklear and Auburn’s Brandon Mosley, who was taken in the fourth round.

          PROJECTED IMPACT: McCants could provide the team with depth this season at left tackle. Beatty is entering the final year of his deal so the Giants might be looking for a left tackle next season.

          WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: General manager Jerry Reese said McCants is a kid they want to develop and could perhaps be a starter for them in the future.

          "Really a pleasant surprise when you watch him," Reese said. "He is intriguing. Long, 36-inch arms. He is 315 now and I think he will be 325 pounds in a blink. Very interesting prospect for us. I think in a year or so he can make some headway and start challenging for a spot in our starting lineup. I think he is going to be that kind of player for us."