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NFL Draft 2013: New York Giants Select Justin Pugh No. 19 Overall

By Josh Hill

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The draft started with the potential to see a run on offensive lineman and that’s exactly what’s happened. After six of the top 11 picks were spent on offensive lineman, the New York Giants decided to get in on the fun and draft Justin Pugh 19th overall to help protect Eli Manning and shore up an offensive line that needs help.

Pugh was a Doug Marrone product at Syracuse and comes from a system some think might translate to an NFL stage pretty well. Eli Manning needs protection and the Giants recognized that.

By drafting Pugh, the Giants not only give Manning some protection, but they’re drafting a home-state kid to help lead an offensive line that needs t step up it’s run blocking as well. But there are concerns about Pugh, as he has shorter arms than you’d like for an offensive lineman but it’s yet to be seen if that will be an issue.

Still, Ryan Nassib is getting a lot of hype in draft circles thanks in large part to Pugh’s protection. Can that translate to help for Eli Manning? We will definitely see.

The NFL Draft is just getting started, so be sure to stay tuned to FanSided all weekend long to get the most up to date info on everything that happens at Radio City Music Hall.