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New York Giants 2008 NFL Draft Needs
The New York Giants are coming off an unbelievable Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, but its now time for the team to start looking towards next year and their attempt to defend their title. The Giants had one of the best defensive front lines in the game last year, but could take a hit if DE Michael Strahan decides to hang it up. The team has only suffered a couple big losses this off-season in FS Gabriel Wilson, LB Kawika Mitchell, and LB Reggie Torbor, but brought in veteran Sammy Knight to help fill the void. Here is a look at what the Giants might do with their first round pick and the needs they will have to address at some point during the draft or free agency.
1. Cornerback
Sam Madison is starting to show signs of his age and Corey Webster just hasn’t seemed to figure out how to play every down. The team does have promise in last years first round pick of Aaron Ross. With a fairly deep list of first round quality corners, there is a good chance of them might still be around when the Giants take the last pick in round 1. They might be able to nab Oklahoma’s Reggie Smith, Kansas’s Aqib Talib, and Auburn’s Patrick Lee.
2. Linebacker
With the loss of Mitchell and Torbor to free agency, the Giants need to either look to find a replacement in the draft, or in free agency. While the draft isn’t loaded with high quality linebackers, there is a chance that Penn State’s Dan Connor could slip to them in the first round. Connor would be a great fit here and Penn State is known for producing quality NFL linebackers.
3. Offensive Tackle
Last year they moved former guard David Diehl to left tackle and while he did a pretty solid job, but he lacked the foot speed to control the edge pass rushers. The draft is pretty loaded with quality tackles, and the Giants could look at grabbing Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus or USC’s or Pitt’s Jeff Otah if they decide to address this spot first. They might be able to grab a solid tackle in the second round, but its likely if they can’t grab one in the first round they will look to free agency.
4. Wide Receiver
With Amani Toomer on his last leg and no real deep threat on the team the Giants might look to a Wide Receiver to help the very good Plaxico Burress. Last year the team drafted USC’s Steve Smith who had some injuries but started to come along towards the end of the year. The Giants really struggled at times to catch the football and are need of another go to guy for Eli Manning. The Giants good get a very good receiver in Mario Manningham if he is still on the board. Manningham was once considered the best WR in the draft, but is dropping down cause of his poor combine performance.
5. Quarterback/Defensive End
This is not the biggest concern but the team could look for solid back ups in this year’s draft. Behind Eli the team isn’t that impressed with Anthony Wright or Jared Lorenzen, and could look at taking a QB late. The team might go after another DE, if Strahan calls it quits. The team is still pretty solid at the position if Strahan leaves as Jason Tuck will move into the starting role and should produce well.
Be sure to continue to check back as we will continue to be bringing you team-by-team draft articles. Also, be sure to check out our first round Mock Draft. Feel free to leave any comments you might have on the draft and each team’s draft needs in our comment box.
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