How do you go about adding to a Super Bowl Champion football team? Well, with the 32nd pick in the draft for a team that does have some needs, and wasn’t very active in free agency, this could be a difficult task.
General manager Jerry Reese, however, has drafted very well in recent years, especially finding some gems in later rounds and quite frankly, isn’t that where a lot of NFL superstars come from these days. A guy goes in the late round of a draft or goes undrafted then seems to break out and become a star. It’s funny how first round draft picks are the most coveted thing, yet it’s the late round picks that produce the most positive results. Go figure.
Anyway, the Giants biggest voids they have to fill are at running back, offensive tackle, linebacker and perhaps defensive back.
The Giants could very well look at Boise State RB Doug Martin with the 32nd overall pick. However, I’d like to think that Jerry Reese may look elsewhere after the success he’s had in finding good running backs later on in drafts. The Giants could very well go with Mike Adams, OT from Ohio State. With Kareem McKenzie gone, the projected starting tackles are Will Beatty and James Brewer. Brewer has never played a snap in the NFL so if the Giants don’t feel confident enough in Brewer, look for the G-Men to pick up an OT with their 1st round pick. The Giants also acquired OL Sean Locklear who could fill McKenzie’s spot but the Giants may draft Adams anyway to stay young and provide insurance if Locklear doesn’t work out.
To address the linebacker position, the Giants are planning on moving Michael Boley to middle linebacker, which is going to open up a spot at weak side linebacker position. They traded for Bengals former 1st round pick LB Keith Rivers, but expect a minimal impact because to date, his career has definitely been a bust due to injuries. If he can stay healthy, he could prove to be a huge upgrade at the OLB position. If someone like Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina falls in the draft, because of the negative press about him, the Giants may well overlook that and feel they can turn him around. Brown would be a steal as a 2nd round pick.
Some other notable players the Giants may look at are Lamar Miller, RB, Miami if he starts slipping down the 2nd round, or if they want to wait and hope Bernard Pierce out of Temple falls to the middle rounds. He’s someone who can pound the ball between the tackles and had an impressive combine and senior week. Some injuries hampered his 2011 season but if he can overcome them, he’d be a great mid-round pick. Expect the Giants to use mid-late round picks for depth – wide receiver, defensive backs, linebacker and another pass rusher for good measure. Last year Greg Jones was a 6th round pick and ended up making a huge impact in the Super Bowl, so players can come from anywhere.
I’m sure I’ll be staring at my TV on draft day saying who did the Giants just pick, and why did they blow that pick… but I always end up saying, I’m glad they picked that guy. Just look at Jason Pierre-Paul, I had the same reaction. The draft is always exciting, and helps mold the future of many NFL franchises. April 26th is right around the corner.
