Heading into the 2011 NFL Draft the New York Giants had serious needs along the offensive line and at linebacker but didn’t address either until the fourth and sixth rounds respectively. Instead, Tom Coughlin drafted based on talent and not need, taking arguably the best player on the board with just about every pick. Starting with the selection of Prince Amukamara with the 19^th overall pick and ending with Da’Rel Scott in the seventh round, the Giants found immense value with just about every pick. Marvin Austin, who was projected by some to go in the first, was a steal with the 52^nd overall pick and Greg Jones, taken in the sixth round, although undersized may be the most talented and definitely the most decorated middle linebacker in the entire draft class. Along with Jones, Iowa’s Tyler Sash and South Florida’s Jacquian Williams were home runs for the Giants in the sixth.

Even with the value they added the Giants still have holes to plug before the 2011 season begins. Amukamara and Austin should help solidify already deep positions on the Giants’ roster but the G-men failed to address their three key areas of need in the early rounds of last month’s draft. 

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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.

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Arguably one of the most disappointing teams in 2010, the Dallas Cowboys head into the offseason looking to reload on offense and rebuild on the defensive side of the ball. After starting the season 1-7 under Wade Phillips, Jerry Jones brought the axe down on him and anointed Jason Garrett with the interim tag. Dallas finished 5-3 under Garrett, which was good enough to earn him the permanent position.

One of Garrett’s first tasks this offseason was to find a new defensive coordinator to replace Paul Pasqualoni, who departed to become the head coach at Connecticut. Knowing they needed an experienced set of eyes to take over the defense, the Cowboys hired Rob Ryan who has a daunting task in front of him. Here are some interesting defensive statistics compiled by Mickey Spagnola of DallasCowboys.com from the past season:

 ·         23rd in total defense (26th in passing defense)

·         Gave up 5,628 yards of offense, which is the most in team history

·         Gave up 3,894 net passing yards (1963 was the only time Dallas gave up more)

·         Gave up 436 points, which is the most in team history

·         Gave up 33 passing touchdowns (ties the team record set in 1962)

I think you should have a good idea of where the Cowboys need to improve the most this offseason based on these statistics. Below are the three biggest needs this offseason for Dallas.

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This is the first in a series of articles addressing team needs for the 2011 NFL Draft. We will be focusing on the three biggest needs per team and examining a division each week, starting with the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC East.

In a division that the Cowboys were supposed to run away with, the Eagles shocked the league by taking the East and reinventing Michael Vick’s career in the process. Vick and the Eagles were clearly one of the most exciting teams in the league in 2010, but ended the season in disappointing fashion with an early exit in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Although a 10-6 record and an NFC East title didn’t seem to be in the cards for Philly at the beginning of the year, an early exit to the eventual Super Bowl Champs in the first round of the playoffs was still a disappointment. Andy Reid and the Eagles front office have several areas to focus on improving in 2011.

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How does a team like the New York Giants not make the playoffs? There is a ton of talent and depth on this team. But they did fail to make the playoffs, so what should they focus on for the draft? This is a good question because the Giants have money and young players inserted in several positions. They have a lot of money invested in the defensive line so using a pick there might be a waste. They have a lot of promising youth at wide receiver. Selecting a wide out means others loose targets. Here are my thoughts:

1. Safety

- The injury to Kenny Phillips really hurt the Giants defense. Michael Johnson and Aaron Rouse are not starting quality safeties for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The Giants defense struggled this season and a gaming changing safety would help greatly.

2. Linebacker

- There are question marks surrounding Antonio Pierce and his absence was felt at the end of the season. Pierce’s good play and leadership will need to be replaced if he is unable to continue his career. A replacement for Danny Clark is needed, is Clint Sintim up for the challenge?

3. Offensive Line

- Once considered the best offensive line in the NFL, questions now arise. Kareem McKenzie struggled to stay healthy and there wasn’t an adequate backup. The Giants used a 2nd round pick on William Betty last year but he hasn’t completely blown away the coaches. I am sure Betty will have a chance to develop. However, depth is still needed across the offensive line.

Update: See team need thought's from Big Blue View, the SB Nation Giants blog.

It was a tough season for the Washington Redskins. Anytime you finish 4-12 there is going to be a lot of changes in your team’s future. However, the Redskins have a lot of high priced players locked into several positions. This dilemma coupled with coaching changes makes their draft strategy interesting.

1. Offensive Tackle

- Injuries and poor play have made this a position the Redskins must address. Chris Samuels’s career is in serious jeopardy and Stephon Heyer is a backup at best. Will they bring back Levi Jones? This draft is light on offensive tackles but with the 4th pick there should be some good ones available.

2. Quarterback

- Can a new coach (Mike Shanahan?) turn Jason Campbell or Colt Brennan into a franchise quarterback? It is going to be an interesting offseason and where the new coaching staff sees Campbell or Brennan will determine the direction the Redskins go with their draft. Do they use the #4 pick on a quarterback or take a gamble on a 2nd round quarterback?

3. Guard

- Derrick Dockery is serviceable but the rest of the players are not the answer. A strong offensive line is important to the success of a football team. Taking a guard with the 4th pick is a waste but expect 1 or 2 of the later picks to be focused on this area.

The Dallas Cowboys have had a very successful season. But these Cowboys have question marks. Below are some areas they could improve on.

1. Offensive Tackle

- Flozell Adams has not had a good season. He is starting to show signs of aging and the penalties are enough to drive any coach and fan insane. There is some thought that Doug Free could slide to the left side but that is a shaky option for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. This isn’t a very deep draft for left tackles but look for the Cowboys to try and get a project pick.

2. Safety

- Gerald Sensabaugh and Alan Ball are not the long-term solution at this important position. Depending on how the draft shakes out this could be a position they fill with their first round pick.

3. Linebacker

- Keith Brooking is getting up there in age and Bradie James is a good run defender but is a liability in pass coverage. The Cowboys have the luxury of taking the best play available when they pick in the first round. So they could use this pick on either one of these three positions.

Jay Glazer gets the scoop:

The Eagles have acquired Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters from the Bills for the 28th overall pick in next week's draft, FOXSports.com has learned.

Buffalo will also receive a second-day pick in this year's draft, as well as a late-round pick in the 2010 draft.

What does this mean? Well, for our mock draft, and for several other mocks, people aren't necessarily going OT for the Philadelphia Eagles. But, with Philly giving up their 28th pick, it throws a monkey wrench into our community mock draft, which saw JasonB take RB Donald Brown. I can see Mocking Dan tearing out his hair as I type this.

With Philly's #28 in Buffalo's possession, this changes some draft strategy. Buffalo could go the same route as JasonB did and select Brown. Marshawn Lynch is suspended for the first three games this season, and his future in Buffalo is in doubt. Brown is a big, physical back who has good quickness. However, if Buffalo did this, they'd still have a massive hole along the left side of their o-line. BrianG explains:

The Bills will have nine draft picks heading into next weekend's NFL Draft. It's a good thing, too - the Bills now have glaring holes at both left tackle and left guard (the team released OG Derrick Dockery prior to the free agent signing period). This is a huge weight off of the organization's shoulders, as the front office and coaching staff can now adequately begin formulating a draft strategy that doesn't factor in a potential trade. They do, however, now have a lot of work to do.

Buffalo has the 11th  and 28th overall picks in the draft, and it is VERY possible the Bills could shift their focus from finding a pass rusher with their 11th pick to finding someone who can keep their QB upright. In our mock, we have Aaron Maybin going to Buffalo with Michael Oher still on the board. That strategy MAY change with Peters now in an Eagles uniform.

Overall, it seems like a good trade for both teams. We mock drafters will now return to our holes and mutter curses to the Bills and Eagles for making this trade THIS LATE in the process.