New York Giants Draft Needs

Posted by Jimmy Boyd - Google+

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The Giants took a step back in 2012, finishing with a 9-7 record and out of the playoffs just one year removed from winning their second Super Bowl in five years. New York got off to a strong 6-2 start, but would lose five of their final seven games. The Giants have had to part ways with DE Osi Umenyiora, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DT Chris Canty, TE Martellus Bennett, LB Michael Boley and S Kenny Phillips this offseason and it’s still up in the air whether they will be able to bring back talented WR Victor Cruz. They have made some nice additions, including LB Dan Conner, TE Brandon Myers, WR Louis Murphy and DT Cullen Jenkins, but there’s plenty of areas that still need to be addressed. Here’s a look at the five positions I feel New York needs to target in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Linebacker:

The Giants best linebacker is Mathias Kiwanuka, but most believe he is going to play a lot more defensive end with the departure of Umenyiora. Dan Conner was a nice addition, but with Michael Boley and Chase Blackburn out of town there’s not a whole lot of depth. New York is counting on Keith Rivers to be able to contribute, but he’s yet to play a full season. If Georgia’s Jarvis Jones or Alec Ogletree fall to them in the first round, I think both players who could make an immediate impact.

Offensive Tackle:

This would have been the biggest need for the Giants had they not been able to re-sign starting left tackle Will Beatty, but it’s still a big area of need heading into the draft. New York currently has veteran David Diehl and 2011 4th rounder James Brewer at right tackle, but Diehl is on the decline and Brewer hasn’t shown enough to think he’s capable of starting on a regular basis. If there’s not a linebacker worth taking at No. 19, look for the Giants to go after either Alabama’s D.J. Fluker or Florida State’s Menelik Watson.

Defensive End:

The Giants have made it a priority to have three or even four defensive ends who can get after the quarterback. While they currently have Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Kiwanuka, they could opt to keep Kiwanuka at outside linebacker and go after a defensive end in the draft. Unless they feel the need to reach for someone like’s Florida State’s Bjoern Werner in the first round, they will likely wait to address this need later in the draft.

Cornerback:

New York is extremely high on Prince Amukamara and Jayron Hosley and it doesn’t appear to be long before Hosley takes over the starting spot from Corey Webster, who will likely be playing his last season with the Giants. There’s some that think the Giants will use their first round pick at corner, but I don’t think that will be the case. This is a deep corner class and New York should be able to find help in the later rounds.

Safety:

You could make an argument for running back and wide receiver, but I think the Giants are better off in both of those areas than some might think. While safety doesn’t appear to be a huge issue with free safety Antrel Rolle still in town and the emergence of strong safety Stevie Brown, I would disagree. Rolle could end up being a cap casualty next offseason and Brown is still unproven. There’s also not a whole lot of depth with the loss of Phillips in free agency.

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About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!

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