ESPN draft analyst thinks Leonard Floyd belongs in the Top 10 of the 2016 NFL Draft

Leonard Floyd ^[1] may be this year's Ereck Flowers. The Georgia linebacker could be the Giants' ^[2]pick in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft ^[3] after being considered a mid-to-late first-round pick -- or even a second rounder -- as recently as last month.

The same happened with Flowers last year. He was being projected as a late first or early second-round pick. He was eventually selected ninth overall by the Giants.

10 most likely picks for Giants ^[4]

The Giants select 10th overall this year. Floyd could follow a similar path, even if some question whether his skills and production warrant such a high selection.

But ask ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay if he's worth being selected that high (or 11th overall when the Chicago Bears pick) and there is no wavering.

"When you get to about [No.] 10 in this draft, there's a little bit of a drop-off. I think Leonard Floyd belongs in the Top 10, and could go even as high as No. 10," McShay said on Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. "I think he'd be a perfect fit for what Chicago's looking for in terms of a versatile linebacker that can be that outside linebacker. Also can play some off the ball; he can drop into coverage on occasion.

"But what Floyd does best is rush the passer off the edge, great initial burst, the ability to bend around the edge. I think while his production didn't always match up in the way they used him at Georgia, it may be different than the way he's used in the NFL. I just think he's got a chance to be more productive in the NFL than he was even in college. And I think for a 3-4 team like Chicago, that would be a really good fit."

There is also a belief inside the Giants organization that Floyd can be a pretty solid fit as a weakside linebacker and passing-down edge rusher. He's believed to be seriously in the mix to be their first-round selection at 10th overall.

Mel Kiper picks WR for Giants ^[5]

It's not that Floyd has done anything over the past month or so to inflate his value. It's more likely that he affirmed what NFL teams already knew. The media and public are just catching up.

Floyd (6-6, 244) is an immensely talented player and athlete. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and has a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump. He's explosive and versatile.

The question is whether he's Top 10 worthy? Clearly not everyone agrees with McShay's evaluation.

Some samples of where Floyd is ranked on some respected big boards:

NFL.com's Gil Brandt:^[6] 12th

Independent draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki: 18th

NFL Draft Scout's Dane Brugler:^[7] 18th

NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang:^[8] 23rd

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: 18th (from early March ^[9])

ESPN's Mel Kiper:^[10] Not in Top 25

Scout Inc:^[11] 16th

Bleacher Report's ^[12] Matt Miller: 18th

Real Football Network's Pat Kirwin:^[13] 21st

Eighteen seems to be the magic number. Inside the Top 10 he's not, unless you ask McShay.

Of course, it doesn't matter what outside experts think. It only matters what the Giants and the teams inside the Top 10 think. They'll ultimately decide if Floyd is worth being among the first 10 players selected on Thursday night.