It is rare when you can say this about a player taken with the 15th pick in the NFL Draft but it’s what general manager Jerry Reese claims he believes about defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul:
“We think the guy has the biggest upside of any player in the draft,” Reese said. “That’s how we feel about this guy. We think the sky’s the limit.”
With linebacker Rolando McClain off the board early — gone to the Raiders at No. 8 — the Giants went with the highest-rated player remaining on their board.
VIDEO: PIERRE-PAUL’S BACKFLIPS
They don’t merely pay lip-service to the notion that you can never have enough pass-rushers as last night they added another to a stable that includes Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka. Only two can start and now all four will be pushing for playing time.
Before he was even asked, Reese laid to rest the swirling rumors that the addition of Pierre-Paul will pave the way for the departure of Umenyiora, who stated this offseason he wants to be traded if he isn’t returned to the starting lineup.
“We’re not trading Osi, so you don’t even have to ask that question,” Reese said.
He did admit he fielded calls inquiring about Umenyiora’s availability, with teams asking, “Are you really serious about that?” There were no offers worthy of the Giants’ consideration.
Tom Coughlin is ready to roll with a deep rotation of pass-rushing demons.
“Let’s play,” Coughlin said. “Everybody is going to have a chance to contribute. We didn’t rush the passer well last year. Let’s go back to doing the things we did well a couple of years ago. It’s let’s stop talking and go play.”
Most draft evaluators list Pierre-Paul as classic boom-or-bust material. He reminds the Giants — and others — of Jevon Kearse because of his height (nearly 6-foot-5), weight (270 pounds) and unique skill-set. But he has no real proven track record.
He didn’t start playing football until his junior year in high school, went to community college and junior college and in his one and only year at South Florida had 6 1/2 sacks in 13 games (seven starts) before entering the draft after his junior year.
The lack of experience, Reese said, is something “you take into consideration,” but the potential was too much for the Giants to ignore.
“He has things you can’t teach,” Reese said. “He’s a rare, gifted, talented kid. He is uncommon, that’s a good word to use. He’s long, he’s fast, he’s athletic, he’s tough, he’s got a great motor.”
Reese noted the “freakish athletic skills” possessed by Pierre-Paul, who became an internet sensation when he was seen completing 14 consecutive back-flips in a display of physical ability.
Things could have fallen more advantageously for the Giants. McClain, the object of their affection, did not fall to them and they never even got a chance to trade up a few spots to get him. There was also great interest by the Giants in running back C.J. Spiller, but that dream died when the Bills took him at No. 9.
The Giants had their pick of some highly-rated players: offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, defensive tackle Dan Williams, guard Mike Iupati and defensive end Derrick Morgan, but they went with Pierre-Paul.
“This was an easy pick for us,” Reese said.
Pierre-Paul wasn’t sure who would pick him.
“I’m just glad I got picked,” he said. “Now I get to come in, settle down and become a great football player.”
The Giants will now have to wait until the second round to get a middle linebacker, with Sean Lee of Penn State probably the best remaining option. Or else, they could look elsewhere for a stopgap with NFL experience.
With the Raiders making the surprise pick of McClain, their veteran middle linebacker, Kirk Morrison, becomes expendable. Morrison recently signed his restricted free agent tender, and if the Giants are interested they certainly could make a deal and probably give up no higher than a fifth or sixth-round pick.
Morrison is only 28 years old and had been a sturdy, solid but not spectacular starter the past six years in Oakland.
Draft pick bio:
Name: Jason Pierre-Paul
Hometown: Deerfield Beach, Florida
School: South Florida
Height: 6-5
Weight: 270
Position: DE
In the NCAA: Played only one year at South Florida and had 6 1/2 sacks
In the NFL: Considered to be the best pure-pass rusher in the draft. There’s no starting job up for grabs, but he will be used immediately in certain packages and asked to go get after the quarterback.
paul.schwartz@nypost.com