NFL analysts are predicting that the New York Giants will draft Manti Te'o in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. After more impressive numbers at the Notre Dame pro day, many believe the Giants will not let the Fighting Irish linebacker go if available when their pick comes up in the first round.
The Giants have the No. 19 pick in the draft and with Te'o's improved 4.71 40-yard dash and 21 benched reps, it seems like the 22-year-old has redeemed himself after running a 4.82 at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier in the year. He also didn't bench press in Indianapolis and had a tough time with some of the plays he was asked to run.
While the Giants look like the favorable team to snatch Te'o up, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be the ones to snatch up the opportunity as they go two picks before the Giants do. With the No. 17th pick in the 2013 Draft, the Steelers could be looking to improve their depleted defense.
Although his numbers at the Combine and the hoax that many said would plague his career, a lot of teams liked what Manti Te'o had to offer. They view Te'o as a leader up the middle on defense and many seem to have faith the youngster will come through for them. For many, he's still a first-rounder though no longer Top 10 as predicted when the Fighting Irish were entering the NCAA Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Tedy Bruschi, a current ESPN NFL analyst, believes Te'o is a first-round pick, but the Giants have enough talents at the middle linebacker position, which will eventually prompt them to draft at a different position.
Other teams predicted to be interested in Te'o's labor aside from the Steelers and Giants are the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.
What are your thoughts on the rumored Giants interest in Te'o?
