What else do the Giants need?

by Ed Valentine on Apr 24, 2009 11:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

OK, so the 2009 NFL Draft is just a day away. We have beaten the wide receiver talk to death, and everyone on the planet seems to know a replacement for Plaxico Burress is the No. 1 need for our New York Giants.

So, let's not talk about that. Let's talk about what other holes the Giants would like to fill this weekend with the 10 picks they currently have at their disposal.

First, let me say this. If you have been around here for a while, you know that I am a big believer is drafting the best player available. Of course, it's nice if the BPA matches what you believer your needs are. But, my feeling is that you always take the best player on the board. Only if there is no clear BPA on your board do you take the player who best fits your need.

With all of that said here are some of the areas -- other than wide receiver -- it would be nice to see General Manager Jerry Reese address in the draft. I am listing them in what I see as the order of priority.

Linebacker

Yes, the Giants signed Michael Boley to man one outside slot. But, is anybody thrilled with Danny Clark, Bryan Kehl, Chase Blackburn or Gerris Wilkinson on the other side? Kehl might be a player, but we don't know. Oh, and there is the matter of grooming a replacement for Antonio Pierce in the middle. Jonathan Goff might be the guy, but again we really have no idea. The Giants haven't drafted a big-time linebacker since Pepper Johnson way back in 1986. It would be nice to change that. Somebody like Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim, maybe?

Offensive Line

Yes, the Giants offensive line is considered one of the best lines in the league, if not the absolute best. And yes, the line has been healthy for the past couple of seasons. Behind that starting group, though, there really is zero depth. Does anyone really want to see the considerable backside of Kevin Boothe lined up for meaningful snaps in 2009? Or Guy Whimper? Reese does have some George Young in him, and Young used to love to collect offensive linemen in the middle to late rounds. It would not be any surprise at all if the Giants used multiple picks to try and bolster their offensive line depth, including a fairly early one on a player like Connecticut's William Beatty, who might be able to take over at left tackle one day.

Secondary

The Giants signed C.C. Brown to provide depth at safety behind Michael Johnson and Kenny Phillips, but when R.W. McQuarters is your emergency backup at that slot you are pretty thin. With Sam Madison gone and Kevin Dockery probably in his last season with the Giants, a middle round cornerback wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Running Back

Contrary to some opinions I don't think the Giants absolutely have to get a running back in this draft. They do have Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, and they love the potential of Danny Ware. Yet, they did lose 1,000-yard rusher Derrick Ward, and you just never know when Jacobs will go down with an injury. Rashad Jennings of Liberty, anyone?

Other Needs

I keep seeing tight end listed as a need, and I really don't think so. Kevin Boss is an emerging star, and I really like Darcy Johnson as well. That said, if a tight end is the BPA when the Giants turn comes along, they should grab him. ... If the Giants are going to use Domenik Hixon at receiver full time grabbing a potential return specialist in the late rounds would be nice. Maybe someone like Marcus Thigpen of Indiana? ... Not a real need, but would anyone be shocked if the Giants used a late pick on a quarterback like Graham Harrell of Texas Tech, someone to compete with Andre Woodson to eventually become the No. 2 guy behind Eli Manning? David Carr isn't going to stick around forever.

Tweet Comment 30 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: 2009 nfl draft, New York Giants

Comments

Good analysis

I agree pretty much across the board. I’m a little less sold on the notion of taking the best player available regardless of need, unless the disparity between the BPA and the player who would fill a need is legitimately big. For example, if the best player available this year were a defensive end with the first pick, it would be hard to justify that pick (unless there were trade plans afoot). Luckily, it’s not likely to be an issue because there aren’t many good defensive linemaen in this draft and there are a lot of good players at positions where the Giants do have some need.

I’m all in favor of using late round picks to get sleeper O-line prospects (you do occasionally find a gem in there), but this seems to me to be the kind odf draft where you really start laying the foundation for 2 to 3 years down the road to find replacements for the current group as they begin to reach the end of their primes. We’ve already got a lot of low profile placeholder types, and I don’t want to see us in the same position the eagles were in this year, having to replace 2 aging tackles in one off season (they actually did ok, but it took two expensive free agent signings to plug that gap).

Definitely agree that mid round secondary help, particularly at safety makes sense.

And I think this is a good draft to take a flyer on a mid round running back, but agree that it is not a need. Everyone worries about Jacobs getting hurt, but he got hurt last year and even so our third back got relatively few touches. With our O-line I see no reason why Ware won’t be able to fill in cmpetently if jacobs goes down.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Apr 24, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Running back

I wouldn’t mind a running back drafted whose primary role would be kick returning. In other words, a kick return specialist. I think the Giants have enough depth to take a flier on someone like that.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 24, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree on BPA in one area

For example, you have Eli Manning … you aren’t taking Matt Stafford. The Giants are absolutely loaded on the D-Line, taking one w/an early pick wouldn’t make sense. Of course, you have to use your head, but in general I am a big fan of going BPA.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 24, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Forgotten Big Wide Receiver

Why haven’t the Giants investigated former Jag WR Matt Jones who is a free agent after being released. Obviously he can play, will come very cheap and would probably agree to any type of drug testing

by christa1999a on Apr 24, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

-1

Matt Jones and his problems are not worth the thought.

by njgiant on Apr 24, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

-Infinity.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Apr 24, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Matt Jones

No thank you.

by one-bar on Apr 24, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

by lizard on Apr 24, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

RB

DRAFT MORENO, SINTIM, ROBISKE. GET HIXON AND MANNINGHAM GEARED UP AND READY TO SHOW THEIR STUFF.

by dram57 on Apr 24, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Safety - don't forget Safety

You mention above that we signed CC Brown, but keep in mind he has missed a LOT of games in the past 2 years with injury. So we have starters Michael Johnsona and Kenny Phillips with Brown pushin Johnson for possible starter. BUT we lost Dahl and Butler, so we really need a quality 4th guy for both depth and competition incase one of these guys gets hurt.

I like Patrich Chung from Oregon because I doubt we get a shot at Louis Delmas.

by dtowner on Apr 24, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

I didn't forget

Safety is on my list of needs. Chung in the 2nd round would not surprise me.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 24, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

The problem

with safety is that its a weak class at the position. I bet we see some teams reach for the ones that are available.

by potroast on Apr 24, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

True, pot

But, the Giants still need more than what they have right now.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 24, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by potroast on Apr 24, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Offensive line

I would put OL ahead of LB as a priority because I think we have more depth at LB than at OL. A team’s strength comes from their offensive and defensive lines.

How the Steelers won a SB with their porous OL is a mystery to me.

by John W on Apr 24, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

One nitpick

you said “The Giants haven’t drafted a big-time linebacker since Pepper Johnson,” – I’m not sure if you simply forgot Jessie Armstead or if you don’t consider him a big-time linebacker. I’m hoping it’s the former, b/c if it’s the latter I may have to fight you to the death – Jessie was my favorite player when I was in middle school/high school!

by cjmulrain on Apr 24, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

A BBV rumble? Don’t let it come to that. For my 2 cents, I think Armstead ought to count.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Apr 24, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

War Jesse Armstead!

Besides being a top notch Giant, he obliterated fools on that Pros vs. Joes TV show. If only there hadn’t been that penalty during his interception against the Ravens during Super Bowl XXXV.

by rzor on Apr 24, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll never forget that call

When does defensive holding get called on a defensive lineman? When the Giants actually score in the SB, that’s when…..

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 24, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

And on top of that

the play was a play-action fake!!! He was supposed to try and tackle the running back, the play was designed to make the running back look like he had the ball!!. One of the worst calls in any sport in my lifetime. Anyway, no matter the first round pick, I would hope for Sintim or Beatty in the second round. How about a guy like James Casey in the third if he’s available. Scary athlete that would create big red zone matchup problems with Boss on the other side.

Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!

by bigbluethruandthru on Apr 25, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

i love

casey.. plus he can run the cat

It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying

http://novafacts.blogspot.com

by Hoyadestroya85 on Apr 25, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I like Casy

but I like Jared Cook and Shawn Nelson too. They are bigger and faster, but if they are gone Casey would be nice.

I love the Giants getting one of these TE’s in this draft. TE’s, unlike WR’s, seem to be able to contribute from the get go, even if they aren’t the greatest blockers.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 25, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Ah, cj

Let’s not rumble. I forgot Armstead. He was an 8th round pick, and I had it stuck in my head that he was an undrafted FA.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 24, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

My dream scenario - or am I dreaming?

I’ve seen several recent articles that have talked about Curry dropping in the draft – not because of any knock against him but simply because the highest teams have so many other needs, and because he’s not viewed as a pass-rusher. For the Giants though, he would be the dream pick – the field general to replace AP, who while he has been a great Giant, really dropped off a lot last year. I have visions of Curry stufffing Westbrook out of the backfield and smothering him in coverage. If he fell to the eighth spot I would love to see us try to talk Jacksonville into a deal that allowed us to grab him. It would give us unquestionably the top defense in the NFL.

by mcgatman on Apr 24, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

I had the same dream

He’s my favorite player in the draft and my top pick if I was GM. Our D would be unstoppable. Pierce, Boley, and Curry with our line to take on the blocks and get to the QB and our emerging secondary asked to play a lesser role in the passing game… At least I can dream for one more night. What do you think it would take to get him?

by one-bar on Apr 24, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

My arm and your leg!

by njgiant on Apr 24, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It must have been the name ‘one-bar’ that led you to believe I’ve gotta Blanda-like-boot.

by one-bar on Apr 24, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

BPA

BPA is always the way to go because its all about value for your pick. Looking for JR to do his magic in the mid and late rounds. Interesting though, the G-MEN don’t have a lot of roster spots to fill and with 10 picks……..thank God the draft is tomorrow….enough with the speculation already

by Lynch#22 on Apr 24, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions