The New York Giants must avoid this pitfall at Ohio State Pro Day on Wednesday.
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh were both in attendance for Ohio State's Pro Day on Wednesday, which should not come as much of a surprise.
The Buckeyes are absolutely loaded with NFL talent, with a handful of stars who will be flying off the board in the first round of the NFL Draft next month.
Edge rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs, wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald should all be first-round selections in a few weeks, and I suppose there is a chance that McDonald could slip into the early stages of Day 2.
Regardless, Ohio State has an embarrassment of riches for teams to scout, and the Giants seem to be interested in just about every one of those players.
But just how interested should New York actually be?
The Giants own the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, and while Reese is expected to be off the board by them, Styles and Downs have both been linked to New York incessantly in recent weeks.
Does it actually make sense for the Giants to take either player, though?
Sonny Styles celebrates with Caleb Downs. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Big Blue signed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in free agency to shore up the position. Yes, New York could use a safety, but is it ever advisable to select a safety with a top-five pick, especially one with a potentially degenerative knee issue?
Most seem to be on board with the G-Men taking one of the two star defenders with their top draft choice. I am not.
To be quite frank, I would actually prefer Tate at No. 5 given the Giants' dire need for an X-receiver to put alongside of Malik Nabers. I get that New York signed Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III in free agency, but neither receiver fills that role.
I am still in the trade down camp given that New York has clear needs at defensive tackle, cornerback, guard and wide receiver, and outside of Tate, there aren't any players at any of those positions worth selecting in the top five.
As far as Ohio State's other talents? I love the idea of the Giants potentially selecting McDonald at No. 37, but I'm not sure he'll slip that far. I don't like cornerback Davison Igbinosun, who was riddled with penalties for much of his collegiate career.
My overarching point? New York should be careful not to get too deep into the Ohio State weeds. I have serious questions about every one of the Buckeyes' prospects ... except for Tate, who doesn't really seem to be on the radar for the Giants anymore.
Unless, of course, this has all been one big smokescreen, which is a very distinct possibility.
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