New York Giants

Report: Giants targeting Stanford OT Andrus Peat

Published Apr. 29, 2015 9:33 a.m. ET

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Throughout the entire pre-draft process, the New York Giants have been linked to several top offensive line prospects. When you consider the team's issues in both run blocking and pass protection in 2014, particularly on the interior of the line, this should come as no surprise. Back in January, Giants owner John Mara told Mike Francesa on WFAN that upgrading the offensive line was the team's biggest offseason need.

The two players who the Giants have been most strongly linked to our University of Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers and University of Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff. You can add one more offensive lineman to the list of players connected to the Giants.

According to a report from NFL Draft Insider Tony Pauline, the Giants are targeting University of Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat. Pauline even went on to say that it "looks as though" Peat will be the pick at No. 9 overall.

At just 21 years old, Peat has a lot of factors working in his favor. The former top recruit out of high school also has NFL bloodlines—his father Todd Peat was a guard in the NFL. At just under 6'7 and 313 pounds, Peat has the ideal body type to project to offensive tackle at the NFL level. He is the only top tackle prospect who fits into the mold. One NFL scout told Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Peat is "so smooth"and "really impressive physically". Peat is also a more explosive athlete than given credit for—he posted a 10 1/2-foot broad jump and a 5.18 40-yard dash at his pro day.

The best thing about Peat is that his projection is not based entirely on what he can become. According to College Football Focus, a website dedicated to grading every single snap of every player, Peat finished in the top-10 in both pass-blocking and run-blocking efficiency among all offensive tackles.

There has been chatter in the pre-draft period about Peat's deficiencies as a pass blocker, but that narrative is driven by one atrocious game against Utah in 2014. Having said that, Peat is known for his prowess as a run blocker and this is exactly what the Giants need the most. According to Pro Football Focus, the Giants finished as the 26th "best" run blocking unit in 2014. Peat's addition would upgrade that area at right tackle and offer more upside at right guard with Justin Pugh kicking inside there to play next to him.

If the Giants do select Peat, they will be getting a very different offensive lineman than University of Iowa's Brandon Scherff—on Tuesday, both Amani Toomer and David Diehl broke down why they still believe the pick will be Scherff. While there are still concerns about Scherff's ability to stay at offensive tackle at the NFL level, Peat's body type erases any doubts.

Get Peat on your radar, because the Giants could definitely call his name Thursday night when the ninth pick rolls around.

(h/t Big Blue View)