2011 NFL Draft Needs: New York Giants

by Matthew Fairburn on Feb 18, 2011 8:06 PM EST in Mocking the NFC East

The New York Giants are a far cry from the team that won the Super Bowl in 2007. They once again faded down the stretch in 2010, losing two of their last three games, including a monumental fourth quarter collapse against the division rival Eagles with the NFC East crown on the line. The G-Men need to get back to playing the tough, physical brand of football that made them World Champions not so long ago.

In order for the Giants to get back to level they played at in '07 they have to inject some youth into some traditional strengths of theirs.The Giants won the Super Bowl on the strength of their defense, offensive line, and running game. All of those areas were once again solid in 2010, but there are some aging veterans at key positions.

Check out the top needs for the New York Giants after the jump.

1. Left Tackle - For starters, a franchise tackle is New York's number one need. William Beaty has not yet been given a chance to shine, but he has not been impressive in limited action and may not be cut out for left tackle. In addition, the rest of the offensive line is aging, so depth is needed. The Giants have to protect their franchise investment, Eli Manning.

The 2011 tackle class is not considered to be particularly strong, but prospects like Tyron Smith, Derek Sherrod, and Nate Solder would all present decent value for the G-Men.

2. Linebacker - New York could be faced with an issue at linebacker, with Keith Bullock and Mathias Kiwanuka both set to be free agents this offseason. Not to mention, Keith Bullock is getting up there in age. For the Giants to continue to play well on the defensive side of the ball, they will need a capable young linebacker. Oklahoma's Travis Lewis could be an option if he falls to the second round.

3. Running Back - At first glance it may seem like a stretch, but the Giants would be wise to select a running back in the 2011 NFL Draft. With Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw both free agents this offseason, the Giants potent running attack could be a weakness if the position is not addressed. All signs point to New York choosing Bradshaw over Jacobs, but Bradshaw is constantly injured and has a bit of a fumbling issue. He cannot carry the entire workload for the Giants.

Talented running backs can always be found in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft, and 2011 should be no different. Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech, Illinois's Mikel Leshoure, and UConn's Jordan Todman are all solid mid-round prospects that would fit well with the Giants.

Poll

What is the number one need for the New York Giants in the 2011 NFL Draft?

Offensive Tackle

118 votes

Running Back

23 votes

Linebacker

228 votes

Other

21 votes

390 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

err Travis Lewis? haha

perhaps Akeem Ayers

2011 Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Mikel LeShoure, RB
3) Kris O'Dowd, C
4) Davon House, CB
5) :(
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
7) Eric Hagg, SS

by BigBlueIntervention on Feb 18, 2011 8:35 PM EST reply actions

Nice research

With Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw both free agents this offseason

Jacobs signed a 4-year $25M contract that runs through 2012. He has 2 more years remaining, with salaries of $4.65M (2011) and $4.9M (2012).

You can argue whether he’s worth that money, but barring a release Jacobs is not an impending free agent this offseason.

Statistics do not tell the whole story, not even close.

by project geo on Feb 18, 2011 8:41 PM EST reply actions

it's very possible

mmmmm.... delicious

by Cup Noodles on Feb 18, 2011 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

It's Bulluck not Bullock

Fan of: New Jersey Devils, Tennessee Titans, New Jersey Nets, New York Mets, and the U

by NJD28 on Feb 18, 2011 8:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions

njd28

I support EVERY SINGLE one of those teams on your sig, juuuuuust gotta change titans to giants haha.

2011 Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Mikel LeShoure, RB
3) Kris O'Dowd, C
4) Davon House, CB
5) :(
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
7) Eric Hagg, SS

by BigBlueIntervention on Feb 18, 2011 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

Giants #1 need is a speedy and athletic linebacker

But unless they re-sign Ahmad Bradshaw (I wouldn’t with his history of injuries, but then I wouldn’t have paid Jacobs that money), RB is the #2 need.

Given that, you wonder if they pass up a fantastic RB in Mark Ingram if he reaches their pick.

Statistics do not tell the whole story, not even close.

by project geo on Feb 18, 2011 8:50 PM EST reply actions

Well LT was fine until the end of 2008

Diehl was pretty damn good for a while but there’s only so many years you can get away with a guard at LT. Also I’d say they need a C more than LT since at least for their OL scheme the C is more important than LT.

Also Kiwi is not a LB and Travis Lewis isn’t even in the draft.

RB is not a need either. Bradshaw was excellent last year as was Jacobs. The problem was the OL. Now drafting a RB is not a bad idea, I just wouldn’t classify it as a need unless Bradshaw is asking for the moon (and he’ll most likely ask for Jacobs money, which is doable).

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Feb 18, 2011 8:59 PM EST reply actions

+1

mmmmm.... delicious

by Cup Noodles on Feb 18, 2011 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

I'd like a LB

but if Ayers is off the board, they’ll probably wait until the 2nd/3rd

mmmmm.... delicious

by Cup Noodles on Feb 18, 2011 9:48 PM EST reply actions

Eli wasn't sacked for 4 games

and that was without our starting LT in the lineup in David Diehl. I wouls say that our OL played quite well, especially in pass protection. Now as Rorschach44 said, the C position is in need of an upgrade with Shaun O’Hara being 34 and coming off of an injury plagued season. With him then Adam Koets and Rich Seubert getting injured, our run game suffered tremendously. I’d go Pouncey or Wisniewski in that order. On defense the only realistic shots that the Giants have at an elite OLB would be Akeem Ayers or Aldon Smith. Smith could possibly fill the role of Kiwi in time or a Martez Wilson who could give us the positional versatility that Jerry Reese covets.

by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on Feb 18, 2011 11:38 PM EST reply actions

Travis Lewis...

is going back to school is he not? I like the list but I’d put CB over RB. It’s close though.

World Series attitude, champagne bottle life, nothing every changes so tonight is like tomorrow night.

by Drizzzy on Feb 18, 2011 11:59 PM EST reply actions

what in the world?

jacobs is not going to be a free agent, travis lewis said months ago hes staying in school. weird.

I personally do not want ayers but the giants love high upside players so what i want is not what they want. me personally i want an instinctive linebacker like mason foster over an athletic freak who gets lost in space and struggles to locate the ball like ayers

by Nfpdawg on Feb 19, 2011 12:25 AM EST reply actions

Grouping needs into categories

Not comfortable with potential starters: C, SLB, anything special teams
Need to figure things out (including free agency): LT, RT, TE, RB, DT
Depth needs: T, CB, S

by ct17 on Feb 19, 2011 12:28 AM EST reply actions

If only

Travis Lewis were actually in this draft…lol.

I’ll pass on Ayers, especially if there are better players on the board, and there should be. Therefore, I’ll pass on LB in the first round altogether. The depth is better in Round 2 anyway. And if we ever get to a free agency, there are guys out there that could work that won’t cost a boatload of money.

Don’t be shocked at all if either Brandon Harris or Jimmy Smith are the pick at 19. Reese loves him some CBs early in the draft, and both players would justify the selection. Smith has the size and speed they like, and great coverage skills to boot, while Harris has nice tackling form and has the feistiness and competitive attitude you love to see out of CBs, and he’s not too bad in coverage himself. I’d be happy with either player at 19. Ross is going into the last year of his rookie deal, and I wouldn’t expect the Giants to bend over backwards to re-sign him. We could always use another CB, especially against the Eagles, Packers, Saints, and Cowboys’ WR groups.

"The good teams don't come in and say 'could have'. They get it done. Alright? It's that simple."

by BigBlue21 on Feb 19, 2011 1:00 AM EST reply actions

Giants Are Always Smart w/Draft

#1….Ayers/OLB
#2….Goff is OK maybe grab Wilson/ILB if available.
#3….Moffitt/OG-OC
#4….O’Dowd/OG-OC
#5….Wujciak/OLB-Special Teams Ace
After this it does not matter.

Let’s Go Big Blue!

by Dziedzic on Feb 19, 2011 9:39 AM EST reply actions

too many LBs and interor OLs Dizz

considering the Giants are smart about the draft means that they usually go for positional value over everything else, LB and interior OL are probably the least valuable positions.

They also have plenty of guards. They need an OC, but really could stand to release a few OGs.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Feb 19, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

Well its Need This Year

Drafting O’Dowd and J.Moffitt you are getting two players that can play Guard or Center. Both postions of need for the future.
Ayers is perfect for the team to add to Goff and cover in help with our ss and fs.

This is Giants needs this and they can get three starers out of this draft.

by Dziedzic on Feb 19, 2011 3:53 PM EST reply actions

The Giants don't have a need at guard this year or any time soon

Petrus is 22, Koets is 27, Snee is 30, Diehl is 30, Andrews is 27. Seubert is old but still probably has a year or 2 or more considering how good he was this year.

O’Dowd OR Moffitt (if Moffit is a C). Too many guards and not enough tackles.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Feb 19, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions