Last season did not end for the New York Giants like it is supposed to for teams defending a Super Bowl crown. Despite a 6-2 start out of the gate that had Big Blue in a great position to repeat, another second half swoon doomed the team down the stretch, and left Eli and Co. sitting at home in January. However, April has been as strong a month for general manager Jerry Reese as February has been, so there is no reason to believe that New York can’t fix the problems in the draft that kept them out of the postseason in 2012.
The Giants have the 19th pick in this year’s draft, which is the part of the first round where the 5-star studs are mostly gone, so value and need become the major factors at hand. New York played at times last year like a very legitimate threat to repeat; so most of this draft should be spent filling particular needs and holes as opposed to rebuilding entire units. The following are positions that cost the Giants games in 2012 and should be addressed coming up in the draft:
Offensive Line
In 2008, the Giants offensive line was so dominant that it almost garnered MVP votes. In 2012, while improved from 2011, the front 5 for Big Blue often didn’t leave Eli Manning enough time to throw, causing a very rough middle part of the season, including a three-game stretch when Manning didn’t throw for a touchdown. David Diehl is back in New York on a one-year deal, but this is very much likely to be his last season with the team. Chris Snee remains the rock of this unit, and David Baas improved slightly in 2nd year in New York. Reese re-signed both Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe this off-season, which definitely helps the depth of the unit. However, what the Giants need is a young talent at this position, something they really haven’t had since drafting Snee back in 2004. The last time the Giants used their first rounder on an offensive lineman Luke Petitgout back in 1999, but it might make sense for the Giants in 2013.
Cornerback
CB has seemingly been an issue for the Giants for as long as Tom Coughlin has been head coach. Towards the end of last season, Corey Webster, once (briefly) considered a top corner in the league seemed incapable of covering his shadow. Aaron Ross is back in the fold after a year in Jacksonville, but his top days, whenever those were, seem to be behind him. Prince Amukamara has the greatest upside of any player in the New York secondary, but has battled through two injury-riddled seasons since being drafted. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the Giants go for a corner at this stop. According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, Desmondt Trufant from the U of Washington could make sense with the Big Blue pick at #19.
Defensive Line
Despite being the anchor of the defense over this Giants Era, the defensive line for New York fell victim to a harsh drop-off in 2012 from its 2011 production. Some of that was to be expected, due to the way the unit absolutely dominated on their way to the Super Bowl, but way too often last year did the front four seem incapable of creating any problems in the backfield. Osi Umenyiora is now a Falcon, and Chris Canty is in Baltimore, creating some questions for the Giants. The organization has never shied away from drafting defensive lineman even when depth there wasn’t a problem, so it could make sense for the Giants to pick an end or a tackle here who can play important downs in 2013 as the Giants try to make it back to the postseason again.
Wide Receiver?
The question mark goes away as does the need if Victor Cruz finally signs. It is expected at this point that he will, but anything can happen, and should Cruz shockingly bolt the Big Apple for somewhere else, New York will be scrambling to replace one of its most productive wideouts in franchise history.
