Mel Kiper: “You can make an argument this is the best pick in the first round.”

The Yankees signed both players to low-risk minor-league deals this offseason and both signings have paid off so far.

But Colon and Garcia are pleasantly turning heads and the Yankees are going to need them to keep it going, especially since we don’t know what is going to happen with Phil Hughes.

You can also throw in AJ Burnett as a player that has pleasantly surprised, but he seems to always pitch well in April. I think Burnett carries his early season success into the rest of the year and has a very good year.

The Yankees will only go as far as their starting pitching will take them. They’ll have games where their offense puts up big numbers, but in crunch time and in the playoffs it’s pitching that makes the difference. I don’t know whether the Yankees will still be sending out Colon and Garcia to start on a regular basis when August roles around, but what they are giving the Yankees early on this season is more than anyone could have asked for.

Round 1 (No. 30 overall) – Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
- The Jets need to add some youth to their defensive front seven and Ayers fits that bill. He’s athletic, can get to the quarterback, and has shown the capability to drop back into coverage. The only question is whether he will still be on the board when the Jets pick at No. 30. If he’s available, the Jets should pull the trigger.

If not him, then… Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
- The Jets have a need on the defensive line and Taylor is a prototypical nose tackle in the 3-4 defense. He could be a great pick for the Jets at No. 30.

Other possibilities: 
Muhammad Wilkerson, DL, Temple
Cam Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona

The Jets do not own a Round 2 pick (traded to San Diego for Antonio Cromartie)

Round 3 (No. 30, No. 94 overall) – DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson
- Safety is another one of the Jets’ several needs. They can add a playmaker here with McDaniel.

If not him, then… Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
- With question marks surrounding their receiving corps, it may behoove the Jets to select a receiver with this pick.

Other Possibilities:
Ahmad Black, S, Florida
Marcus Gilchrist, CB, Clemson

Chris Canty arrived at the Giants’ facility around noon Tuesday, met with the team’s coaches, including Tom Coughlin , lifted in the team’s weight room and went home. Wednesday he planned on doing the same thing, with the slight adjustment of working on his lower body instead of his upper body.

“I had an opportunity to come over here and work out and I wanted to take advantage of it because this is where I wanted to be,” Canty said as he left the facility around 2:30.

When told that early reports indicated no other NFL team was as accommodating on the first day of business after the injunction against the lockout Monday night, Canty smiled.

“I didn’t expect anything else,” he said. “This is a class- act organization all the way. They want the best for their players and they want us to be successful. I wasn’t surprised.

“This is the New York football Giants,” he added, “not the Jets .”

This little preseason jab from Canty came out of nowhere. I thought maybe he would have taken a shot at Dallas.

The Giants and Jets have been trading jabs more frequently in recent years. Rex Ryan took some jabs at the Giants in his new book.

Canty, originally from the Bronx, is entering his third season with the Giants after playing four years in Dallas. His Giants will play the Jets on Christmas Eve this season.

“I told the manager, ‘In April, you’re not gonna see 95-96. But wait until the weather gets better. That’s how it’s been for me the last four years,” Soriano told ESPN New York.

Glad to hear that, Soriano, but what happens in October? If you aren’t aware, it can get rather chilly during October in the Bronx.

I’m hoping moreso that Soriano gets better as he gets more innings under his belt, which happens to also coincide with the weather getting warmer. The Yankees are going to need him at his best in October.