Giants Select Western Michigan CB Sam Beal in Supplemental Draft

The New York Giants selected Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal in the third round of the supplemental draft on Wednesday. As a result, the Giants forfeit their 2019 third-round draft pick. In a corresponding move, the Giants waived corner Kenneth Durden.

“We feel like we’re getting our third-round pick now,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in an official statement. “We discussed it at length yesterday, and had a great conversation. We basically had a draft meeting in the office, with people on the speaker phone who had seen him. It was a very thorough conversation.”

It was the first supplemental draft pick in the NFL since 2015 (Isaiah Battle, St. Louis Rams). In fact, it was the highest selection since Josh Gordon in the second round in 2012.

Beal Hype is Real

Beal declared for the supplemental draft after his status for the upcoming season was up in the air. Beal had fallen behind in academic credit hours, and planned to catch up during the summer. However, he would have had to wait on the NCAA to declare him eligible. As a result, Beal declared for the supplemental draft this past Spring.

The 6-3, 178 pound corner received plenty of hype during his pro day at Western Michigan. Perhaps what got most teams talking was his ability as a cover corner, who has an insane vertical leap of 37-inches, which gives him the ability to shut down opposing receivers.

In fact, he allowed the lowest passer rating in the Mid-Atlantic Conference last season in terms of passes thrown in his coverage zone (35.2). Fun fact, his first career interception came against Sam Darnold, 2018 first-round pick by the New York Jets.

Scouts have questioned his strength and tackling ability, but he makes up for it in his coverage skills.

During his three seasons at Western Michigan, Beal recorded 96 total tackles, 21 passes defensed, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

What Beal Brings to New York

Beal brings what the Giants desperately needed in the secondary: depth.

“We’re very, very excited about getting Sam in the draft,” said Gettleman. “He’s long, he’s very athletic for a corner, he has all the physical skills, he can carry the vertical, he has very good play speed, he shows instincts out there, he has ball awareness, he doesn’t panic when the ball is thrown at his guy, and he is a very willing tackler. We just feel it gives us a really talented young kid with the ability to ascend.”

Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple are projected to be the starters this upcoming season, but the depth behind them was a bit scarce. With Beal, they now have a young piece that can make a statement in the defensive backfield. He will have to compete for a spot, against the likes of William Gay, Teddy Williams, and Donte Deayon.

Gettleman and the Giants surrendered next year’s third-rounder for a reason. They believe that Beal will be able to be a difference maker in James Bettcher’s defense. In fact, many have called Beal the greatest prospect to ever come out of the supplemental draft.

Make no mistake about it, besides Saquon Barkley, Sam Beal will be a must-see player in training camp this summer.