2008 Draft Preview: New York Giants

By Eric from BigBlueInteractive.com

The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants were relatively quiet in free agency.  The team lost safety Gibril Wilson to the Raiders, linebacker Kawika Mitchell to the Bills and linebacker Reggie Torbor to the Dolphins.  The team did re-sign halfback Derrick Ward and added safety Sammy Knight from the Jaguars and linebacker Danny Clark from the Texans.  Like last offseason, their primary method to improve their overall talent level will be the draft.  In 2007, the Giants hit a homerun as all eight draft picks made the team and seven of those players were contributors to the Super Bowl run.

The Giants are in the fortunate position of not having to draft an immediate starter.  They can afford the luxury of drafting the best player available rather than for need.  That said, let’s look at some of the positions where the Giants could use some help:

Defensive Back:  The surprising emergence of Corey Webster in the playoffs reduces the need here as both Webster and Aaron Ross now look like potential long-term starters.  Kevin Dockery is a decent nickel/dime back.  However, Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters are getting up there in years and you can never have enough quality corners.  Look for the Giants to draft one corner high.  The need at safety is more pressing as the Giants need at least one quality player to compete with James Butler, Michael Johnson and Sammy Knight.  However, this is not a strong draft at safety.

Linebacker:  Antonio Pierce will start in the middle.  Mathias Kiwanuka is likely to start at strongside linebacker again if Michael Strahan returns.  With Mitchell leaving for Buffalo, Gerris Wilkinson and Danny Clark will battle for the weakside spot.  The Giants will likely add one or two players here to compete.  It will also be interesting to see if Zak DeOssie and Chase Blackburn can make some noise in camp.

Defensive Line:  If Strahan returns, the Giants are set at defensive end with Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Strahan and Dave Tollefson.  If Strahan retires, the team may look for a player similar to Tuck who can rush the passer from tackle and end.  Inside, the Giants have three solid players in Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield and Jay Alford.  But if the Giants have a high grade on a defensive tackle, they may draft one, possibly on the first day.

Wide Receiver:  The Giants are likely to keep six receivers.  Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Steve Smith are locks to make the team.  Special teams ace and Super Bowl hero David Tyree is most likely a sure thing as well.  Sinorice Moss has been a disappointment and is on the hot seat.  The Giants may look for another talented receiver to compete against him and Michael Jennings, Domenik Hixon and Brandon London in camp.  I would not be shocked to see the Giants draft a wide receiver on day one.

Offensive Line:  The Giants are in fairly good shape on the offensive line both in terms of the starters and returning depth.  However, if the Giants have a high grade on a lineman, they may draft one to groom behind the starters.

Tight End:  There have been rumors that the Giants may trade Jeremy Shockey.  Whether these rumors are groundless or there is some substance to them is unknown.  If Shockey is not traded, he and Kevin Boss form a very solid tight end duo.  If Shockey is traded, tight end becomes the team’s most pressing need.  Darcy Johnson and Michael Matthews will battle it out for the third tight end spot.

Running Back:  The Giants are very deep and talented here with halfbacks Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Derrick Ward as well as fullback Madison Hedgecock.

Quarterback:  Eli Manning is the franchise.  But the depth situation behind him is not great.  The Giants did add David Carr in the offseason to compete with Jared Lorenzen (who was re-signed) and Anthony Wright.

The Giants most pressing “needs” are on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the secondary.  But the team can afford the luxury of addressing the wide receiver position and possibly the offensive line if a player who they really like is available.