Loading ...As we creep along the road to the draft, there are certain positions that are regarded as pressing needs: defensive tackle, middle linebacker, safety…wait, cross that last one out. Although we tend to focus on the first two rounds of the draft, as they bring in immediate impact players, let’s not forget that perhaps 7 or 8 players from this year’s draft will make the team.
We’ve hashed over and again the possibilities at the top of the draft, so let’s take a look at the Giants current roster and see where the Giants will need some bodies.
QB– Skip this one, shall we?
RB– Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Andre Brown are coming off serious surgeries, DJ Ware never really found the his health or the field last year, and Gartrell Johnson is mostly an unknown. The Giants may not be in desperate need of talent here, but they could use a body. Late round or undrafted rookie pick is probable, but with all the injuries I wouldn’t rule out a mid round pick. CJ Spiller? Not so much….
WR– Not a lot of room on the depth chart. Figure Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and Ramses Barden are roster locks, leaving Domenik Hixon, Derek Hagan and Sinorice Moss (all under contract) battling for the last two spots, as I doubt Coughlin carries seven receivers again. Even if you send Sinorice packing, you’re already full up…so if a young wideout comes in, someone’s got to go. Hixon probably has trade value, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him shopped on draft day.
TE– This is a huge need area that no one is talking about. Behind Kevin Boss, who took an absolute beating last year, there really is nothing. Bear Pascoe and Scott Chandler are under contract and could earn a roster spot, but they’d be better suited as blocking, 3rd TE’s. The Giants need an all around TE who can backup Boss in the running and receiving game, and they might have to look into the top half of the draft to find one.
{Shameful admittance: When I wrote this up, I totally forgot about Travis Beckum. But let’s be honest, the guy may be called a TE but for as much as we’ve seen, he’s just not. He lines up wide and he doesn’t run block. So even if Pascoe or Chandler make the roster, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Giants carry 4 TE’s this year. Beckum, for all his capabilities, would not be able to step in for Boss, play for play, if Antrel Rolle forgets he’s on our team now and lays Boss out again.}
OL– This unit is getting a lot of play in pre-draft talk. Many, like myself, think that this unit needs fresh blood now. Whether that need is as immediate as I think is arguable, but you don’t want to go fishing for game ready offensive linemen when you realize there’s a huge hole in your boat. You want to have one ready; time to draft one now.
In any case, there are enough bodies here: Diehl, Seubert, O’hara, Snee, McKenzie, Beatty, Boothe, Whimper and Koets make the 9 bodies the Giants usually carry. So if the Giants do bring someone in, it’s not another slapdick body like Koets or Whimper from the 6th round, it’s someone they think will be ready to contribute as early as next year, if not right away.
DEFENSE
CB– This unit has all the talent it needs at the top with Corey Webster, Aaron Ross and Terrell Thomas. Whether you like Bruce Johnson or not, there are still two spots behind him on the depth chart that need filling, and I don’t really see any candidates to fill them. sure D.J. Johnson or Courtney Brown (who? yep, he’s on the roster) could win the spots, but they’re going to have competition. Look for Reese to pull the same maneuver he did last year when he drafted Stoney Woodson and DeAndre Wright late…although, obviously, let’s hope it works out a little better.
{That was NOT a shot at G101 fave Stoney Woodson. I still think it was a mistake to let him go. He’s a Buccaneer now, if anyone was wondering}
S– Oh man are we still talking about safeties? Ok: Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson have roster spots. C.C. Brown will battle practice squadders Sha’Reff Rashad and Vince Anderson for the last roster spot. If the Giants draft a safety, throw him into the battle for the last roster spot, unless they know something about Phillips’ knee that we don’t know. In that case, safety is a much higher priority on draft day. My two cents: one of the practice squadders will make the roster, C.C. Brown will not. I’m not going to pretend to guess about Kenny’s knee.
LB– It’s tough to define this unit; everyone has differing opinions on whether Michael Boley is any good, if Jon Goff can cut it as the MLB, and when or if Clint Sintim will be a full time linebacker. That’s probably you’re starting three as it stands. From there, you have pretty good depth in Blackburn and Kehl, and DeOssie carries his weight on special teams. Like this offensive line, this unit doesn’t need multiple bodies. What it needs, and most agree it needs something, is a playmaker. Drafting another 4th rounder like Kehl or Goff who will take time and may or may not develop really does the Giants no good. I hear there’s a linebacker out of Alabama who’s supposed to be decent….
DT– Like the safety position before Rolle, and the MLB position to non-Goff believers, this unit is well regarded as needing immediate help. Nine out of ten people who don’t think the Giants will end up with Rolando McClain in the first round have them taking a DT. The current roster has four legit guys: Christ Canty, Barry Cofield, Rocky Bernard and Jay Alford, who is coming off major knee surgery. Also on the roster are Anthony Bryant and Dwayne Hendricks about whom your guess is as good as mine. Given the health concerns that surround all four of the guys with seeming locks on roster spots, the Gmen need at least a body here. But if you think a football game is won in the trenches, you probably think this unit needs a real infusion of bulky talent.
DE– Tuck, Kiwi, Umenyiora, Tollefson. That’s the way it stands right now, with a decent practice squadder named Tommie Hill getting a shot to make the roster in camp. I wouldn’t put it out the question that the Giants draft a DE if they happen to like someone on the board, although that would probably mean the end of Dave Tollefson. If Osi Umenyiora were to get traded, you’d either have to draft a player here or shift more of Canty’s reps to DE, which would further increase the need for a stud DT.
Obviously, you can’t take the seven greatest needs, put them in order and fill a need per round. But if you stratified the needs into levels, it would look something like this:
Highest priorities: DT/(M)LB/.
The middle rounds: OL/TE/CB.
The final group would be CB/RB.
REMINDER
Don’t forget about the writer’s roundtable Sean brought up in the last post. Great way to get your questions answer, and make us feel like we know stuff.
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Repost from last thread:
I still would take McClain at 15 if he’s there, then Spoon.
As for other teams that might take Spoon if we traded down from 15, I could see Tennessee (16), Atlanta (19), Cincinnati (21) and Philly (24) all wanting Spoon. They may have other, greater needs, but could all use upgrades at LB and all run 4-3.
I would hate it if Philly got Spoon, just like I’d hate it if either Philly or Dallas got Mays. I really don’t think Spoon passes the Falcons if we don’t take him. They need a WLB and he’s perfect for the position.
P.S. I WANT MCCLAIN!
ATL could really use a pass rusher across from John Abraham too. I could see Brandon Graham as a fit if he’s still around. Sidbury could come on, but Jamaal Anderson isn’t cutting it.
Christ Canty? It may have felt that way when he was signed last year, but that’s worn off a little…
It’s more like “Christ, Canty…”
Great write-up. I’m not sure I agree with your assessment of the “desperate need” to upgrade at TE. Boss is solid as a pass-catcher; Bear Pascoe ought to be an acquisition that pays its dividends in the running game. We then have a H-back/TE in Beckum. That’s 3 guys at a position which our offense doesn’t utilize much. Not exactly an area of “desperate need.”
I’m no draft guru, but for a slow day’s consideration here’s a link to a two-round mock I’ve done. I’d enjoy thoughts on picks. I may defend, but won’t take criticism personally. Some picks I’m especially fond of and would love to debate/discuss.
http://tiny.cc/NemFg
Nice lookin board there…
3 things,
1. Do you think Bradford will really be taken at #1, how can anyone pass on Suh??? IMO
2.does anyone think Sea will take a QB in round 1???
3. Does McCluster prject to the 2nd round? I wish there was some way we could grab him later…
1. Yes. You can pass on Suh becaus #1 money to a DT is hard to justify.
2. No on Seattle QB. Bigger immediate needs IMO at RB/OT. Can ride Hasselbeck for another couple years until a better prospect than Claussen comes along.
3. Don’t know if he’s a second rounder, but teams value that “score from anywhere” player.
but can you pass on suh?
Who’s prospect rankings did you use?
I use a mixture of places and a little of my own opinion. More than rankings I use attributes versus what that team needs. Guys that fit a 3-4 versus a 4-3. Teams that need a bigger safety versus a ball hawk. Teams that need a run stuffer versus a penetrating DT.
Whats your reasoning for rating Geno Atkins over Houston? Only thing that really popped out.
Houston has some character issues that I could see pushing him down the Giants board. DUI arrest, general “look at me” personality. I do like his flexibility and athleticism, though.
I like Atkins as a guy who can penetrate. Strong and quick, though a little small. I may be overvaluing his Senior Bowl.
Should say “versatility” instead of “flexibility”. Don’t know if the guy can touch his toes or not…
You have us taking Morgan. Does that mean you’re assuming we move Osi? If not, how do we justify paying mid-1RD money to a player at a position where he’d be the 4th in the rotation?
I just think for the value at that spot, he’d be hard to pass on. With McClain gone, our options are Morgan, Odrick, Price and Spoon. All the top OTs are gone in my mock too.
Spoon may be worth the #15, but I would guess if a team is really sticking to their board, Morgan is the pick. It may mean moving Osi or using Tuck at DT more often.
Tuck is not a DT. He’s one of the best DEs in the NFL, and his usefulness lining up inside on passing downs is just that–a skill he has when we’re trying to created mismatches. Using him all the time at that spot would be a waste of his talents.
That being said, I just don’t see us taking a DE in the 1st unless Osi is gone. The value is there, for sure. But, as I’ve said repeatedly over the past few months, if we go into the draft with the team as it is today, taking a player like Morgan is a luxury pick that comes at the expense of neglecting another area of need.
Thank you Kujo! I hate it when he is thrown in with the DTs. He is one of the best in the league! Please!
I commented here the other day about all of the mocks I’ve seen lately that had us taking Morgan. I wasn’t feelin’ it then and I’m still not feelin’ it. Don’t know much about the guy but my guess is that he’s not going to come into New York and be an immeduate upgrade over Osi. Especially not under a rookiephobic coach that won’t exactly be rolling out the red carpet for him.
I’m also not feelin’ all of these mocks sending Spiller to Seattle at 6. That’s a team with needs all of the place, of which RB is but one. My guess is that Carroll is coing in with an eye toward beefing up play in the trenches before he would think abous spending such a high pick on a player that’s really more of a final piece than a foundation. That’s especially the case if he thinks he might be able to snag his old USC workhouse, McKnight, in the third.
Other than that, looks pretty logical to me…
My thinking is that Spiller is a special talent. The tackles available are kind of muddled together, and Seattle can still get one with their second pick.
Special talent or not – teams with needs all over the roster (such as Seattle) rarely help themselves by spending such a high pick on a feature back. Think Bush to New Orleans or McFadden to Oakland a few years back. The only real advantage that such a move may confer is that it may help to put butts in seats for a franchise that’s struggling financially.
Seattle doesn’t have that problem; they have a devoted fanbase and one of the world’s richest men as owner. Moreover, Carroll’s no idiot. He understands that he pretty much has to rebuild that team from the ground up and that a more than serviceable RB like McKnight would be more than suffient once the other pieces start falling into place. I’m almost certain he goes beast available OT at 6 to replace the retiring Walter Jones.
Seems like New Orleans has done ok.
That was hardly the result of spending the #1 pick for Bush, though.
If they hadn’t swung that deal for Brees, the Saints would still be among the league’s bottom feeders.
Haha! Skins signed Grossman! I actually think that is a downgrade from Cambell
Hahahahaha
Well SexCannon ain’t gonna start there, both he and the Skins know that. I guess that means the end of Colt Brennan then…
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/17/anderson-gets-75-million-over-two-years/
Wow, that’s a decent commitment to Anderson. If Leinart loses the starting job to Anderson, you’d have to expect a mid-season Leinart trade to Seattle, wouldn’t you?
All can say is LMAO @ the Cards
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d816ffb3c&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
This guy has Suh dropping all the way to the Raiders at #8. Wow, if that happened…
If he drops down to seventh (Not gonna happen in a million years btw) and we didnt trade up. Id turn off the draft..
Man.. Im watching the ESPN 30 for 30 and the Special they made on the Miaami Hurricanes.. Its quite sad how much the suck now. In the mid to late eighties and early 00 that are some of the greatest football teams Ive ever seen..
Hey do you have goff, Kiehl and Sintim’s measurables from when he was coming out? Or do you know where I could find them?
wlubake – I don’t like Morgan to the Giants. Nice prospect, doesn’t help us though. Atkins in the 2nd is a bit of a reach IMO. Steelers need a TON of help at DB (specifically CB) and wouldn’t take a 3-4 DE over one of the top CBs. Especially not when they just drafted Ziggy Hood last year. Highly, highly doubt Clausen falls almost into the 2nd round. Steelers pass on a DB again this time for Tebow? Can’t see that happening at all. Not sure Daryl Washington goes in the 1st round.
Just some random thoughts glancing over it.
Probably right on the CB to Pittsburgh. That was a team I had trouble placing in round 1. I love my Tebow to Pittsburgh pick for round 2 though. It’s a team that can afford to bring him along, might use him in special packages, and has some character questions at QB. Big Ben could use some of Tebow to rub off on him.
I also doubt Claussen drops that far. I think a team like Buffalo will trade back into round 1 to get him.
That mock doesn’t consider trades (because really, how could it?)
kujo- I read that simply because I HAD to gaze upon that ridiculousness. I had to see that logic that dictated that Suh drop that far
Its possible that either McCoy ir Suh drops a few spots… Like MAYBE to the 5th spot, but to 8…
No way. get real
I havent read it.. But I can tell by the lulziness factor that it has to be Bucky Brooks.. I could see Jamie Dukes as well, but I think hes out now
Yeah. That would be a HUGE shock, though it does make some sense. You don’t usually pay top-5 overall money to defensive tackles; quarterbacks, LTs and defensive ends typically get that while DTs seem to creep out of the top 10. Still, players like Suh and McCoy have tremendous upside and could, along with Eric Berry, force teams to buck tradition and spend the pick and the money on untraditional selections.