With Super Bowl 42 under their belts, the New York Giants will hold the 32nd (er, 31st) pick in the first round. With a team that is good enough to win the Super Bowl, what are the holes the Giants must fill this off-season?
What now for NYG?
On offense, the Giants are set at quarterback, running back, tight end, starting wide receivers and are very solid along the offensive line. What does that leave? Nothing, except adding depth and the occasional best player available in the draft. The team could look to add depth at wide receiver, where Amani Toomer is aging, and at offensive tackle to eventually replace Kareem McKenzie on the right side.
The real question that the media is asking today is whether Jeremy Shockey will be back at tight end, or if rookie Kevin Boss is ready to take over for him there. The answer to that question could net the Giants additional draft picks in 2008.
The defense is the backbone of the team. The line is superb at end with Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and the possibly retiring Michael Strahan. Tuck has played inside and out this season, and is arguably the team’s MVP. Should Strahan retire, Tuck will move outside to end. There is a gap along the defensive line at tackle. Barry Coefield has proven to be an effective gap-shooting penetrator, but they are weak against the run up the gut. The hope is that a young player like Jay Alford or Manuel Wright will develop into a player. Former first-round pick William Joseph has officially busted.
Linebacker is solid, but there is room for improvement in terms of pure athleticism and potential. Mathias Kiwanuka missed a large part of the season to injury, and should be back starting in 2008. Kawika Mitchell and Antonio Pierce are both underrated starters that provide consistency against the run and coverage in the pass game. Gerris Wilkerson is an exciting young player with tremendous speed and coverage ability. Reggie Torbor also looks to factor in to the future. Drafting at the linebacker position would most likely be limited to adding a back up middle linebacker.
The secondary was solid against New England, with youngsters Corey Webster and Aaron Ross playing very well in their first big game. They form the nucleus to an improving defensive backfield. James Butler and Gibril Wilson are both good starters who are also still developing into future stars. There is a need here for depth, with Sam Madison being counted on as the nickel back in most situations. Kevin Dockery has a promising future in nickel and dime sets.
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