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2009
NFL Draft Needs - New York Giants
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (10): 29, 45, 60, 91, 100*, 129, 151, 164, 200, 238
*-compensatory pick cannot be traded
Wide Receiver – There is not much I can say about this
situation that has not already been said, other than to add a rumored
Braylon Edwards (Brown) draft day trade acquisition to this analysis.
Plaxico Burress is now completely out of the picture which ends a
months long drama following his bizarre self-inflicted gunshot incident
during the 2008 season. Veteran mainstay Amani Toomer, a contributor
for 13 seasons with the team through both Super Bowls and 9,497
receiving yards, is also out. His departure barely made a ripple given
the grand state of the Burress drama, but while Toomer has not had a
season with over 800 yards since 2003 he did contribute almost as much
to the stat sheet this past season as the team’s leader in yardage
(Domenik Hixon) and receptions (Steve Smith) while finishing behind
only tight end Kevin Boss in touchdown receptions (4). His numbers were
modest, but now the depth chart is led by Hixon and Smith who combined
for 100 receptions and 1,170 yards and 3 touchdowns. Let’s be honest
Sinorice Moss is a draft bust and his claim to fame is being Santana’s
brother at this point. David Tyree made one great catch and that’s it.
Mario Manningham, a third round pick last year, has potential. They
need a big, fast #1 in the mold of Terrell Owens who they wisely
steered clear of in favor of team chemistry and locker room morale.
Guys like this just aren’t readily available in the draft and if they
are rarely can contribute from the jump. I said this before the Edwards
situation broke and now everyone sees why they are likely to acquire
him rather than draft an untested, unprepared rookie to be their #1
receiver.
Linebacker – The defensive line for the Giants is in good shape
to say the least. Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and now healthy Osi
Umenyiora represent a standout trio of ends. The tackle spot was
infused with free agent talent in the form of Chris Canty (Cowboys) and
Rocky Bernard (Seahawks) who both signed long term deals. Having a
talented group up front makes it easier to deal with having a
relatively average group of linebackers. On the weak side Michael Boley
(Falcons) was signed as a speedy option to start ahead of Bryan Kehl.
The fourth round pick saw action as a rookie, but obviously the team
decided he is a backup at the moment. Aside from that, Gerris Wilkinson
has now missed 11 games the past two seasons so an addition made sense.
This spot is now in good shape. However, on the strong side veteran
Danny Clark is a starter for the moment. He has found steady work in
the NFL, but his first season with the Giants in 2008 marked his fifth
team in the last six seasons. At 32 (in May) a successor needs to be
sought soon anyway. Finally there are concerns in the middle with
Antonio Pierce. His play on the field seems to be on the decline and as
part of the Burress fiasco he might be suspended by the NFL which could
exasperate the situation. Jonathan Goff, a fifth round pick, showed
some skill in limited time as a rookie before getting injured. He is
likely a backup. I don’t know how much Chase Blackburn really factors
in. If a player capable of manning the middle is there I would not put
it past the Giants to strike early. I am certain one linebacker will be
added to this mix and very possibly two. I could also see the team
seeking the proverbial “best available” regardless of inside/outside so
long as the player suits their 4-3 alignment.
Running Back – I have mixed emotions about this need. The band
has been broken up with Derrick Ward (Bucs) exiting in free agency. If
not for the lack of talent at wide receiver this is a position I would
probably feel like the Giants can get away with not addressing.
However, there is going to be a lot more pressure on this running game
without a real threat in the passing game to distract the opposing
defense. Beyond that, the style used by Brandon Jacobs has limited him
to 202 and 219 rushes over the past two seasons respectively and caused
him to miss 8 games in that span. I think it is unrealistic to simply
assume Ahmad Bradhshaw, with just 90 carries in two NFL seasons, can
step into Ward’s shoes and thrive. Bradshaw succeeded behind a pair of
1,000 yard rushers. Can he operate as well in a two-back system over a
full season? Danny Ware is an option. As a rookie free agent out of
Georgia he stuck. His role is going to be expanded as well. Maybe this
trio gets their own fancy nickname. Let’s hope it is more creative than
Run DBD. However, I would look for the Giants to target a versatile
back capable of catching some passes. Ward had 41 receptions in 2008.
The rest of the backfield combined for 19. Who is going to pick up that
slack?
Cornerback – Veteran Sam Madison was released and fellow old
timer R.W. McQuarters is loitering in free agency. Their departures
leave the team very young at the position, but also lacking quality
depth. Their top three players are set with Aaron Ross, Corey Webster
and last year’s second round pick Terrell Thomas. Beyond that they
tendered Kevin Dockery as a restricted free agent. Mind you there are
teams in a lot worse shape and all of their guys are young, but on a
team with few needs why not take a shot? A fifth corner seems
frivolous. Maybe this goes to show how talented their roster really is.
Safety – As with the cornerback spot this is not a bad
situation. Kenny Phillips, last year’s first round pick, steps into the
starting lineup next to 2007 seventh rounder Michael Johnson. It is
possible rookie cornerback Terrell Thomas slides over to safety as
well. C.C. Brown (Texans) was signed to a one year deal. Houston is
known for never having anything at the position so this is not exactly
a big move. The signing did help ease the loss of James Butler (Rams)
Sammy Knight (released) and Craig Dahl (Rams). Even if Thomas does
change positions a safety should be added to this mix given their net
loss.
Tight End – Trading away a high profile player like Jeremy
Shockey was an acceptable loss in the wake of their Super Bowl victory.
In that win Kevin Boss, who our own Michael Abromowitz hyped up before
he was even drafted out of “nowhere” (also known as Western Oregon) in
2007, blew up. Now, I wonder if the Giants might be missing an extra
player who can catch the football, even with Shockey’s wild side
disrupting team chemistry at times. New York is going to figure
something out at receiver, but also needs to back up Boss with another
threat. It’s obvious that player would have to be able to do some
blocking and deal with poor weather.
Offensive Line – For some reason I left this off the team needs
in my first run, probably because the starters as a group are in the
top echelon of the NFL. It gets a little redundant to keep talking
about every team “adding depth”. One thing I brought up last year is
that David Diehl does not cut it at left tackle. It seems like there is
a growing group of us who feel this way. The sentiment is he would be
better suited slipping inside to left guard. It really doesn’t matter
what analysts think about this situation, but I’m throwing it out
there. My stance on this line is that any injury would be very harmful.
The Giants need to carefully target quality backup prospects. This is
still a talented roster and with free agency bolstering the defense I
feel like they can afford to grab one or two players to provide support
for this team’s strength.
Kicker/Punter – It was a bit painful to watch John Carney fight
the wind with those missed field goals in the playoffs. He was brought
in to replace injured Lawrence Tynes. I have to wonder if Tynes is
really their answer himself. Kicking outdoors he is only 60.5% from
beyond 40 yards in his career. He almost missed twice from 43 and 36
yards in the 2007 NFC Championship Game’s final seven minutes of
regulation, nearly costing the team before redeeming himself by hitting
the winner from 47 yards out in overtime. New Yorkers, given the Super
Bowl win the following week, probably don’t even remember the two
misses by now. Competition should be sought out in some form.
Meanwhile, Jeff Feagles is not your father’s punter. Wait, he actually
is. This guy played his first NFL game while Ronald Reagen was still in
office. Someone needs to look this up, but how many players have spent
4+ seasons with 4 different teams? Obviously both spots deserve
attention and possibly will warrant a draft pick.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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