WHAT A RUSH! The Giants selected Virginia Tech running back David Wilson with the 32nd pick in the first round of last night’s NFL Draft. (Getty Images)
In the end, the last pick of the first round of the NFL Draft was “a pretty easy pick for us,’’ according to Giants general manager Jerry Reese.
“Very easy,’’ echoed Marc Ross, the Giants director of college scouting.
Why not? The Giants won Super Bowl XLVI based on a ferocious pass rush and a dynamic passing game, and left behind their usually productive running game. They made a move last night to rectify finishing last in the NFL in rushing, taking Virginia Tech running back David Wilson with the 32nd overall pick.
“He’s a terrific football player,’’ Reese said. “This guy loves to play football. He can do anything you want him to do. He’s a good piece to add to our running back stable.’’
This was a marriage of need and value. The Giants released Brandon Jacobs — who averaged 150 rushing attempts the past two years — and the starting running back, Ahmad Bradshaw, has chronically bad feet that forced him to miss four games last season and prevented him from practicing for the majority of the season.
What was left on the roster — D.J. Ware, Da’Rel Scott and Andre Brown — did not inspire much confidence. Hence, the selection of Wilson, who came out of college after his junior year and last season ran for 1,709 yards and nine touchdowns to earn ACC Player of the Year honors.
“He’s the kind of a guy who will add very much to our present situation in terms of the big play-potential,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “He’s one of those guys who has the speed and the maneuverability to make the big play.’’
The Buccaneers traded up to No. 31 in order to take Boise State running back Doug Martin, most likely fearing the Giants would take him at No. 32. Reese, though, said Wilson was the Giants’ second-highest rated running back on the road, behind only Alabama’s Trent Richardson. Reese did take nearly all of the allotted 10 minutes to make the pick, though, willing to trade down for the right price.
“We wanted to stay on the clock and make sure nobody wanted to move up and give us a mother lode,’’ Reese said.
Coughlin said one of the reasons Wilson is an important addition is because of Bradshaw’s history of foot problems.
“You have to think of that,’’ Coughlin said. “If it becomes an issue again you have to have some outstanding, talented people to pick up the slack a little bit.’’
Wilson is not tall — he’s 5-9. But he is extremely fast — he ran a 4.41. He also is a kickoff returner and Reese called his balance “incredible.’’
He has had a problem with fumbles in his career — seven last year — because of what Coughlin described as “flamboyant all over the place stuff’’ but added “he just has to learn.’’
Wilson is the first running back taken by the Giants in the first round since 2000, when they took the Heisman Trophy winner, Ron Dayne.
Wilson this week posted a video on Youtube playfully calling out Jason Pierre-Paul, challenging him to a back-flip contest, calling himself “the best acrobat in the NFL.’’
Reese said Wilson is “wound tight’’ and Ross described him as “a live-wire, energetic, personable.’’
Wilson said he was thrilled to be coming to the Super Bowl champions.
“I’m a good team player,” he said. “In this league one running back can’t do it all. I look forward to working with those guys.’’
The Giants were happy with the direction the first round took, leaving several quality prospects on the board when it came time for their selection. They had their pick of tight end Coby Fleener, offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, receivers Rueben Randle and Stephen Hill, defensive lineman Jerel Worthy and linebacker Courtney Upshaw.