Heading into the 2011 NFL Draft the New York Giants had serious needs along the offensive line and at linebacker but didn’t address either until the fourth and sixth rounds respectively. Instead, Tom Coughlin drafted based on talent and not need, taking arguably the best player on the board with just about every pick. Starting with the selection of Prince Amukamara with the 19th overall pick and ending with Da’Rel Scott in the seventh round, the Giants found immense value with just about every pick. Marvin Austin, who was projected by some to go in the first, was a steal with the 52nd overall pick and Greg Jones, taken in the sixth round, although undersized may be the most talented and definitely the most decorated middle linebacker in the entire draft class. Along with Jones, Iowa’s Tyler Sash and South Florida’s Jacquian Williams were home runs for the Giants in the sixth.
Post-Draft NFL Team Needs: New York Giants
Even with the value they added the Giants still have holes to plug before the 2011 season begins. Amukamara and Austin should help solidify already deep positions on the Giants’ roster but the G-men failed to address their three key areas of need in the early rounds of last month’s draft.
Linebacker: Jones has the potential to be a solid linebacker in the league but you have to question his size and his ability to play right away. At 6’0, 240 pounds and a lack of elite speed and measurables, Jones needs some seasoning but could be a solid contributor down the road. With a lack of strong competition in front of him with the likes of Jordan Goff, Chase Blackburn and Gerris Wilkinson however, Jones could be thrust into an immediate roll before he’s ready. With the expiring contracts of Keith Bullock and possibly Mathias Kiwanuka the Giants are seriously lacking in depth as well.
Offensive Line: James Brewer was a great value pick in the fourth round and has the talent to push Kareem McKenzie and William Beatty for playing time almost immediately. Coughlin has however made it clear that he wants Brewer to come in and learn behind McKenzie for at least a year before he sees considerable playing time. His lack of experience (he didn’t start playing football until he was a senior in high school) is a cause for concern however and the Giants are starting to age across the line. Only Chris Snee will be under the age of 31 when the season starts and the line had durability concerns throughout the 2010 season. The Giants need to address depth at both guard positions with Kevin Boothe likely to become a free agent and behind an aging albeit solid Shaun O’Hara (34) at center.
Running Back: The selection of Scott in the seventh round was another nice value pick and he could develop into a pretty good third down/scat back. The Giants decided not to address the running back position in earlier rounds even though the contract situations of both Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are questionable at best. The general thought is that Jacobs will be asked to take a pay cut in order to stay with the team and Bradshaw was only given a second round restricted free agent tender. You’d be hard-pressed to find a team with a need at running back not willing to give up a second round pick for Bradshaw who finished ninth in the league in rushing (1235 yards) while catching 47 passes in the process.
