Loading ...Jerry Reese’s decisions are going to be a lot more interesting this year. He enters the 2010 NFL Draft with the opportunity, and pressure, of having a higher draft slot than he’s had in five years. What makes it more intriguing is that Reese appears to have more holes to fill than usual. The lack of consensus on what position the Giants need to target has kept Giants draft talk kind of schizophrenic, if you get what I mean.
Reese’s last three first-round picks– Aaron Ross, Kenny Phillips, Hakeem Nicks– didn’t catch a lot of people by surprise. The Giants had clear needs at each player’s position each time, so they were all pretty safe predictions. Last year, while some were howling for Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, others were debating “Nicks vs Britt,” most of us even familiar with mid-round, small school prospects like Ramses Barden before he became a Giant.
This year, Reese’s biggest need isn’t quite so clear. Three of the Giants’ four defensive tackles are coming off surgery; the young stud safety had the dreaded microfracture procedure; the offensive line is getting older; Jon Goff is the definition of unproven. Of course, who we take with the 15th (and 47th) pick next Thursday night will depend ultimately on the fourteen (and forty-six) picks preceding it.
But I can’t help but think the cornerback position is being overlooked in all this talk. The Giants only have four legitimate corners on the roster in Corey Webster, Ross, Terrell Thomas and still-green Bruce Johnson. It’s a solid top four, but there’s not even enough bodies in the unit to run a full training camp practice.
Mid-season waiver claim DJ Johnson should have a shot at earning a roster spot, and the Giants also have on the roster a journeyman named Courtney Brown. But given that the Giants will carry at least 5 and probably 6 cornerbacks, I’d have a hard time believing that Johnson and Brown won’t have some legit competition for the last two roster spots.
Jerry Reese is never afraid to take a chance on late round CB’s and even Undrafted Free Agents, but I don’t think it’s out of the question for the Giants to take a CB early if the right value drops into their lap. Although it’s not an immediate need, between Aaron Ross’ hamstrings and Corey Webster’s looming contract figures the Giants might be happy to take a CB early if the right value drops into their lap.
Regardless of where Reese picks a CB (even Joe Haden probably wouldn’t crack the top 3 on the depth chart right away) special teams contributions will be key. I’m not saying Reese won’t be happy to spend a late round pick, or sign an undrafted free agent, if that’s where the cards fall. I’m simply saying that if a high- to mid-round CB who looks capable of successfully playing man coverage in the NFL reasonably soon, and can play special teams right away, is available during any of our Thursday or Friday picks, don’t be surprised if the Giants grab him, even if it means passing up the chance to plug a hole at a position that appears to have more immediate concerns.
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I think Webster, Thomas, Ross, Bruce Johnson and DJ Johnson is a pretty solid CB core..DJ Johnson has potential if given the chance. I am sure JR will draft 1 and probably sign 1 UDFA CB to spark some compettion at the bottom of the CB depth chart..
From John Fennelly…
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting the Giants are shopping Osi Umeyiora, which should come as no shock to anyone who follows the team.
The part we don’t get is why the Rams would be willing to part with their second-round selection (33rd overall) for Osi, who is coming off an unproductive 2009 season.
Defensive end is one of the Rams’ many need positions and perhaps they are figuring that Osi would be a nice compliment to former first-rounder Chris Long.
We just don’t see this happening – not that it can’t. The Rams aren’t picking first because they’ve been making good choices these days……It’s understood that Rams’ head coach Steve Spagnuolo, the Giants’ former Super Bowl-winning DC is close with Osi, but this is the deepest draft in years. A second-round selection in this draft, especially at the top of the order, is as good as having another first-rounder.
The Giants would obviously jump on this deal should it be floated their way, but this could be a pitch in the dirt thrown to Mortensen to see who swings. Mort is also reporting that Carolina would like to bring Osi aboard to offset the loss of Julius Peppers and Miami – who is ready to cut ties with Jason Taylor – is also interested.
If the Rams do make this deal, it would only be after Round One or after all of the top DEs in the draft have been selected. If Derrick Morgan, Jason Pierre-Paul are gone, who knows what the Rams will do.
No surprise to some of us.
This is no surprise and for the Giants it would be a no brainer! As some have already stated, Osi is going into his 7th yr. Also 2 yrs removed from the surgery, who knows how much he really has left. With the draft as deep as it is in talent, the Giants would be able to get 1st round caliber players with their 1st 2 picks and the Rams 2nd rounder. I’m a HUGE Osi fan, but even I would love this trade.
Good I hope it happens.
Nice write up Simon. I would agree entirely that we need a cb. Ross can’t be counted on for a full season and B Johnson needs more time to build up confidence (for himself and me).
That would be wild if the Giants were able to get their second round pick. As the article states it would be like having another first round pick 18 picks later and then again with our regular second pick. We’d really be able to fill some holes and by the time the third round comes around we’d be able to get some luxury picks.
MLB
DT
OT
DE
S
CB
RB
WR/KR/PR
Lets get it done!
I agree with you about the CB position. I believe the G-men will take two cornerbacks in this years draft. I also think they will come away with two new offensive linemen. It is logical to think that only 4 or 5 will make the final roster and I am confident that a cornerback will be one of them.
I have been taking a look at the drafts for the past six years on my site. Checking out the differences between Accorsi and Reese. It’s interesting how both of these guys get the job done but have completely different styles.
Seem to remember Giants winning Super Bowl with average defensive backfield. Key to Giants improved defense will be improving the performance of front 7. Drafting defensive line and linebacker help has to be the focus
Good article and good post DEMO.
Lots of interesting tidbits in each about the future of the G-Men.
First, as to the article, while it is hard to believe the Giants will go CB earlier than Round 3, it is a fact that this is potentially (maybe even likely) Webster’s last year as a Giant. He is scheduled to make a base of 8M next year. If he has a season this year like last, he is definitely gone. If he turns in a carbon copy (does anyone even know what that means anymore?) of ’08, he still might be gone. With Ross arguably too fragile to be counted upon, that leaves 1 legit corner — TT. I don’t think you can count BJ — he surprised everyone last year first by making the team, and second by playing well early (against bad teams) when injuries forced TC’s hand. As the season wore on, he wore down. How much was him and how much the state of the overall defense will have to await this year. So a CB relatively early in this draft? Yes!!
As for Osi. My my my my my!! I will say I was the first (you can’t disprove it!!) to suggest this back before the mid-point of last season. My thinking then was, generally speaking, once a player expresses discontent you can’t hold onto them productively. I don’t know the source of Osi’s discontent, but I am very sure it is the 3-man rotation. And in my view, he is perfectly justified. He is a 2x pro bowler who once had 6 sacks in a game, has twice led (or almost led) the league in sacks, and in fact, despite everything, led the team in sacks last year. He is entering his 7th season — he is too good, too proud and too justified to accept a rotational position. Trade him to any team that will start him and play him and he will have a pro bowl, 15 sack season – mark it down!! Keep him on the Giants and have him split time with Kiwi, and he mopes and turns in a sub-10 sack season. So now it is a value thing for the Giants. What is Osi worth in an objective market? And what is he worth to a team (the Giants) who are rapidly running out of leverage?
I would suggest Osi is a 2d rounder for a variety of teams including the Panthers, Vikings, Bears, Jaguars, Colts, Broncos or Chargers. But my suspicion is the Giants will be hard pressed to get more than a 3, with the possibility of a 4 or 5 in the 2011 draft depending upon Osi hitting certain measureables.
A 2 and its a done deal; a 3 and its likely done. Say farewell to the Chief.
You were early on that band wagon but so was Krow..
but I was first
Good article and good post DEMO.
Lots of interesting tidbits in each about the future of the G-Men.
First, as to the article, while it is hard to believe the Giants will go CB earlier than Round 3, it is a fact that this is potentially (maybe even likely) Webster’s last year as a Giant. He is scheduled to make a base of 8M next year. If he has a season this year like last, he is definitely gone. If he turns in a carbon copy (does anyone even know what that means anymore?) of ’08, he still might be gone. With Ross arguably too fragile to be counted upon, that leaves 1 legit corner — TT. I don’t think you can count BJ — he surprised everyone last year first by making the team, and second by playing well early (against bad teams) when injuries forced TC’s hand. As the season wore on, he wore down. How much was him and how much the state of the overall defense will have to await this year. So a CB relatively early in this draft? Yes!!
As for Osi. My my my my my!! I will say I was the first (you can’t disprove it!!) to suggest this back before the mid-point of last season. My thinking then was, generally speaking, once a player expresses discontent you can’t hold onto them productively. I don’t know the source of Osi’s discontent, but I am very sure it is the 3-man rotation. And in my view, he is perfectly justified. He is a 2x pro bowler who once had 6 sacks in a game, has twice led (or almost led) the league in sacks, and in fact, despite everything, led the team in sacks last year. He is entering his 7th season — he is too good, too proud and too justified to accept a rotational position. Trade him to any team that will start him and play him and he will have a pro bowl, 15 sack season – mark it down!! Keep him on the Giants and have him split time with Kiwi, and he mopes and turns in a sub-10 sack season. So now it is a value thing for the Giants. What is Osi worth in an objective market? And what is he worth to a team (the Giants) who are rapidly running out of leverage?
I would suggest Osi is a 2d rounder for a variety of teams including the Panthers, Vikings, Bears, Jaguars, Colts, Broncos or Chargers. But my suspicion is the Giants will be hard pressed to get more than a 3, with the possibility of a 4 or 5 in the 2011 draft depending upon Osi hitting certain measureables.
A 2 and its a done deal; a 3 and its likely done. Say farewell to the Chief.
Sorry for the double post, but it was worth the read, even if I did fail to mention the Rams, which is the source of the alleged interest in Osi.
If Osi is traded it does make the Compte Jean-Pierre Latreque Bonaparte du Baskerville selection very possible. With Tuck entering season 6 and Kiwi season 5, Jean-Claude could give the Giants 3 solid years of acquiescent rotational service before demanding a starting role. This is how it should be. You can’t stockpile pro bowlers (Osi) to fill the rotational slot; and you can’t persuade quality young players who have earned their stripes (Kiwi) to continue in that role. So if you trade Osi, get ready for the invasion of the French!!