Monday, March 12, 2012

Giants on Draft Day

The New York Football Giants own the 32nd pick in the first round, the last pick, thanks to their Super Bowl victory.  For a team that just won the Super Bowl there are plenty of needs.  The Giants lost two tight ends during the Super Bowl, Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard who will probably miss the entire 2012 campaign.  This has led to a lot of speculation that the Giants will be looking at tight ends with the last pick in the first round.  Nonsense, I say.

Since Jerry Reese has taken the reigns as the Giants GM they have never drafted based on need in the first round.  It is against Reese's philosophy.  Last year they took CB Prince Amukamara, a move that turned out to be wise after so many cornerbacks went down, including Amukamara who was able to come back and show some flashes towards the end of the year.  The Giants have needs all over the place.  On the defensive side of the ball there are questions regarding Osi Umenyiora, the talented defensive end.  Reese loves his pash rushers and Osi is one of the best.  If Osi and the Giants can't come to an agreement then the Giants could draft an impact DE, if one is still available, to help take some of the pressure off of Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre Paul.  There is also a chance the Giants could look to defensive tackle if Chris Canty and the Giants can't work out a deal to restructure his contract since he is owed $6 million this year.  There is also a chance that Reese goes for a defensive back.  Aaron Ross is a free agent and is not expected back.  Terrell Thomas is a free agent coming off an year that he missed with injury.  Right now Corey Webster and Prince Amukamara are the starting corners.  I expect the Giants to re-sign Thomas but adding more depth, if the talent is on the board, is not out of the question.  There is one area I don't see the Giants going all-in for and that is linebacker.  The Giants have a trio of second-year linebackers in Joaquin Williams, Mark Herzlich, and Greg Jones.  They also have Michael Boley and are expecting Jonathan Goff back after he missed all of last season.

On the offensive side of the ball the offensive line is a higher priority than tight end.  Kareem McKenzie is a free agent and is expected to leave via free agency.  There is also the issue of center David Baas' health after his neck gave him a lot of trouble this past season.  The Giants do have some offensive line prospects in James Brewer, Kevin Boothe, Mitch Petrus, and Jim Cordle.  However, offensive line depth is a huge need. If there is a good enough prospect on the board I can see the Giants going this route.
Running back is now also a need.  Brandon Jacobs is gone.  Ahmad Bradhsaw is a good running back but health has always been a problem.  D.J. Ware, Andre Brown and Da'Rel Scott are the other running backs on the roster.  The Giants like both of them but could look to grab a running back at some point in the draft if only for the competition in camp.  Scott showed amazing flashes during last season's preseason games but he has also earned a spot in Coach Coughlin's doghouse with his propensity to put the ball on the ground.
Obviously, tight end is an area of concern for the Giants as well.  Losing Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum for the season hurts.  Only Bear Pascoe remains healthy at the position.  There is a chance the giants address this need via free agency with an older, yet still capable veteran like a Dallas Clark, or a Kevin Boss who is reportedly getting released from the Raiders.  Or, they could address this need in the later rounds of the draft.  With the Giants weapons at wide receiver, the tight end doesn't play a pivotal role in moving the ball.  The tight end is usually a third or fourth option for Eli Manning.  If the best prospect on the board is a tight end then the Giants will take a tight end.  However, if they see a playmaker available at another position they will take that player, even if it is a wide receiver.

One thing Jerry Reese has demonstrated is an ability to keep the draft geeks guessing.  He is as unpredictable as they come.  That has worked well for the Giants in years past.  Without that philosophy the Giants wouldn't have drafted Jason Pierre Paul.  The first 31 picks will shape what the Giants do at 32.  Even if they address a need in free agency they still might take that position with their first pick if the prospect is rated highly enough.  Call me crazy but I think Jerry Reese likes drafting from this spot because it is the spot you always try to take the best player available.  That's the way Jerry Reese builds his football team and so far it has produced 2 Super Bowl winners.  You can't argue with a system that has proven it works.

If I had to guess these are the players I think will be available for the Giants and guys that they might draft, in no particular order:

TE Coby Fleener, Stanford.  Fits a need and is arguably the best TE in the draft.  He is a big target at 6-6 and has a knack of finding the end zone.

RB LaMichael James, Oregon.  I doubt he falls to 32 but you never know.  Has good speed but is considered kind of small.

TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson.  His combine might have made his stock fall.  A good tight end who should be able to step into an offense and contribute.  Combine numbers mean squat, watch the tape.  He won't be the best but he will be good.

OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss.  Good work ethic combines with a big body.  Listed at 6-6, 316, he is athletic and strong.  Might need some time to develop but could be a right tackle in a year or two full-time.

DE Quinton Coples, UNC.  At 6-6, 284, he is a big, athletic man.  Could fit in well with a 4-3 scheme like the Giants use.  The Giants love their pass rushers.  I don't think there is a chance he makes it all the way down to this slot but stranger things have happened.

DT Jerel Worthy, MSU.  His game can frustrate at times.  Not sure if he mentally checks out or gets frustrated.  When he is on he is a beast.  The Giants could see a lot of upside in him, especially if Chris Canty is shown the door.  They do have Marvin Austin coming back from injury but depth along the D-line is always welcome in East Rutherford.

ILB Vontaze Burfict, ASU.  He had a poor combine but, like I said before, I don't pay much attention to workouts sans pads and at game speed.  He has ability to rush the passer and has shown the speed during the game to run.  The Giants could see him as a prospect and nab him with the final pick in the round.  I would be surprised if he made it this far, I can see a team picking him earlier.  I would also be surprised if the Giants take him based on the plethora of other prospects out there and the amount of young linebackers they already have.


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