The New York Giants surprised people by selecting Syracuse offensive tackle Justin Pugh with the 19th overall pick. It's drawing mixed reviews in the Giants fan community due to the defensive talent New York passed on. Pugh was the seventh offensive lineman to go off the board in the first round.
2013 NFL Draft results: Giants ‘reached for need’ with Justin Pugh
The Giants passed on several defensive talents to take an offensive lineman. It’s drawing mixed reviews at best.
Jesse Bartolis of Big Blue View bemoans the fact that New York passed on Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Rhodes:
Based on what is left on the board I really dislike the pick, I would have been good moving back and grabbing Pugh, but I have to say I'm not overly excited and it should be noted that the fact Kyle Long went off the board with the next pick that Pugh might not have been available later. Do I think Pugh will be a cog in the line for the next 10 years? it's definitely possible, but I'm not sure he's ever a game-changer. But I do hope that I'm eating crow in the future.
Likewise, Mocking The Draft’s Matthew Fairburn is confused by the selection:
It doesn’t feel like a typical Giants pick. They normally pick for value and the value was with Sharrif Floyd. Instead the Giants reached for need.
Ed Valentine believes that Pugh will compete with David Diehl and James Brewer for the starting right tackle job.
GM Jerry Reese defended the selection, saying that Pugh was the highest man on their board:
Jerry Reese: "He was the highest guy on our board. You guys think I'm joking when I say that, but he was the highest guy on our board."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) April 26, 2013
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