Second in a series

The presence of Ohio State’s A.J. Hawk pulls the rating of this position up a half grade because there isn’t an inside linebacker worthy of a first-round pick. Not only is Hawk a complete outside linebacker, he’s a smooth operator off the field, having won the heart of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn’s sister.

The Giants are in the market for an OLB and there should be a good one at No. 25. If they’re really lucky, Iowa’s Chad Greenway or Alabama’s DeMeco Ryans – both fundamentally sound, solid character players – will fall to them. If not, Ohio State’s Bobby Carpenter, whose dad was a Big Blue running back, has a linebacker’s mentality.

Grade: C

TOP FIVE LINEBACKERS

A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 248, Ohio St. – The real deal. Some Jack Lambert mixed with some Keith Brooking. In other words: tough, mean, athletic, smart and instinctual.

Chad Greenway, OLB, 6-2, 242, Iowa – One of the big reasons we picked the Hawkeyes as our preseason No. 1. Iowa was a disappointment, but Greenway (156 tackles) was not.

Ernie Sims, OLB, 5-11, 230, Florida St. – What he lacks in size he compensates for in speed, quickness and anticipation. Played on a defense that could have four first-rounders. Does that enhance or detract from his value?

DeMeco Ryans, OLB, 6-1, 235, Alabama – Giants’ fans should rejoice if Ryans is there at 25. He is a smart, competitive, athletic linebacker who excelled at the highest level of college football. Wellington Mara would have respected this kid.

Bobby Carpenter, OLB, 6-2, 255, Ohio St. – Old school. Hasn’t met a ballcarrier he doesn’t like hitting. On any other team, he would have been the stud. But at Ohio St. he had a teammate named Hawk. Added bonus as a special teams missile.

WILD CARD

Spencer Havner, OLB, 6-3, 242, UCLA – OK, the Bruins’ defense was awful, but we saw enough of Havner to like his tenacity. Some scouts say he lacks fluidity through the hips. Maybe he’s not great in the bedroom, but we like him on the field.

Next: Defensive backs