EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The pick: Andre Williams, running back, Boston College
My take: Not a surprise. The New York Giants crave depth at running back and love guys who (a) perform at a high level statistically in college and (b) went to Boston College. Williams led the NCAA with 2,177 rushing yards on 355 carries in 2013 and was one of the finalists for the Heisman Trophy. He's a big, downhill power back who doesn't catch the ball out of the backfield, and if he makes a contribution this year, it's likely to be as a short-yardage guy or maybe at the goal line.
The Giants signed Rashad Jennings and Peyton Hillis in free agency and expect to have 2012 first-round pick David Wilson back from neck surgery to go with 2013 seventh-rounder Michael Cox. But they can't count on Wilson, and even if they could, he and Jennings are guys they'd like to use in space. Williams gives them a guy they can use to soften up the middle -- assuming he's ready to play right away.
Nothing not to like about the kid or the pick. This is a fourth-round pick, and obviously the Giants are leaning toward solid guys they believe have shown an ability to handle a lot of responsibility and perform at a high level prior to entering the pros.
Alma mater: The addition of Williams gives the Giants four former Boston College players. He joins 2004 second-rounder Chris Snee, 2006 first-rounder Mathias Kiwanuka and undrafted Mark Herzlich as BC alumni. Which is good, because it was starting to feel as though they preferred Syracuse or LSU all of a sudden. Balance is key.
What's next: The Giants have two picks in the fifth round -- Nos. 152 and 174 overall -- and a pick in the sixth (No. 187 overall). They traded their seventh-rounder for Jon Beason during the 2013 season.