Bradshaw was the 7th round pick in the 2007 N.F.L. draft, but what great value he was (picture source dolphinsgab.com)

Every Wednesday and Thursday I focus much of my efforts on the New York Giants and the draft. Each week I’ve done a positional update, a rookie review, and  a look around at the mock drafts from around the web, which is fun to do, but today I wanted to do something a little different and look back at the past. We’ll start with General Manager Jerry Reese’s first draft.

This is widely considered his best draft, and an interesting thing to note is that during the 2007 N.F.L. draft Jerry Reese was heading up two roles: the head of scouting and General Manager (the head of scouting is no headed by Marc Ross). We’ll look back at what happened in the draft, and then do a revisionist history draft to see what else the Giants could have done in the draft. I’ll take a look at one draft per week for the net few weeks.

1st round pick-Aaron Ross, CB, Texas (2oth overall)

Aaron Ross has had an up and down career with the New York Giants, though his rookie season contributions can not be understated. He was a key cog in the Giants Super Bowl run. He made 9 starts in his rookie year and played well and he was gritty. He played through injuries. Then he started in 2008 and played well again. He was good in the run game and had three interceptions. But after 2008 it was downhilll for 2009 and 2010 as Ross struggled with injuries and inconsistency. His passion for the game was questioned and his talent wasn’t on display enough. He was even moved to safety for awhile during that stretch. This year Ross has been very inconsistent. He’s flashed in some games and looked awful in others (he was benched vs the Eagles).

Pick Grade: B-

Ross is not a bust. It is fair to say that without Ross the Giants don’t win the Superbowl in the 2007 N.F.L. season. Take that season out and he’s been a “C” or c- an average player, but I bumped him up a bit because of the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

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New York Giants : Draft Review 2007 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

A spectacular running back like Jamaal Charles was at my third overall selection. Did I take him? (Courtesy of Arrowheadaddict.com)

The NFL Mocks crew (Including myself) had a fantasy football draft on Tuesday night. This fantasy football draft took place at NFL.com and let me tell you the draft ran very smoothly, no glitches or nothing. This league is a 12 team league that included one starting quarterback, two starting running backs, two starting wide receivers, one starting tight end, one starting wide receiver/running back, one starting running back/wide receiver/ tight end, one starting defense and one starting kicker. The bench can hold up to six players.

Usually fantasy football players get hyped about having a top three pick, but not me because I was never in this situation before. In past fantasy football drafts I was always selecting toward the end of the draft. Selecting toward the end of fantasy football drafts in past years made me really strategize a perfect way to build a team when pick at the end. So, being in the top three selection this year really took me out of my comfort zone as a fantasy football player. I was excited though because I knew regardless of who I would pick I would really be getting a top flight player. I don’t want to spoil the pick right here, so with out further ado here is my third overall pick along with all my other 15 picks as well.
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NFL Mocks Fantasy Football League: Reviewing My Fantasy Football Selections - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will Steve Smith be Cam Newton's go-to receiver, or will he move on to an AFC Elite?

Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer is reporting that veteran wide receiver Steve Smith has requested a trade away from the Carolina Panthers, the team that drafted him in the third round back in 2001. Smith has spent his entire career with the Panthers, but is apparently ready to move on, because at 32 years old, he might not have much more time to win a Super Bowl.

“I don’t know if Steve Smith will be a Carolina Panther next season. I do know that he went to the house of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson late last season and asked to be traded. Multiple sources confirm it.

A Panther since he was drafted in 2001, Smith was entitled to ask for a trade. A source – singular this time – says his teams of choice are San Diego and Baltimore.”

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Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith Wants to Play for Ravens or Chargers - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Manny Lawson seems like a logical fit for the New York Giants. Bleacherreport.com

The New York Giants had a strong 2011 NFL Draft. Strong enough that they don’t really have significant need going into free agency, but there are some holes here and there that need to be filled. Let’s take a look at what those holes are and what the New York Giants can do to fill them in free agency.

Manny Lawson, LB

Keith Bullock had a strong year last season, but he is a free agent and 34 years old. Not really sure the Giants would be that interested in bringing him back as a starter since there are so many other options that are better in free agency. A guy like Manny Lawson for the Giants would be an instance upgrade over Keith Bullock. Manny Lawson is very versatile, you can play him at each outside linebacker spot and even on some plays you can play him at the defensive end positions. He also has very good coverage ability, speed, and great athleticism. He just fits perfectly what the New York Giants need.

OLB-Michael Boley

MLB-Jonathan Goff

OLB-Manny Lawson

Now that looks like a pretty strong linebacker unit.

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Free Agent Targets for the New York Giants - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

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1st Round Links - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

1. New York Jets- The Jets seem to be clicking on all cylinders and the progression of Mark Sanchez makes them all the more    dangerous.  Save his DWI arrest Braylon Edwards has seem to get him self back on track and now will have a dynamic running mate in Santonio Holmes.

2. Baltimore Ravens- I know they beat the Steelers without Big Ben but they also beat them in Pittsburgh.  The Ravens defense is still the backbone of the team but Joe Flacco has show that he is capable of putting a team on his shoulders and leading them to a last minute touchdown drive.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers- This defense may be the very best in the league!  Big Ben returns after the bye week and the offense has been rolling without him.  Rashard Mendenhall has developed into the running back they expected when they selected him in the first round.

4. Green Bay Packers-  There is no questioning the talent on this Packers team and the fact that Aaron Rodgers is a very good quarterback.  But the fact remains that they haven’t looked great at all this season.  They almost allowed the Eagles to mount a comeback, they lost to the Bears, and Detroit made it interesting.

5. Houston Texans- This team is becoming more and more balanced as the weeks progress.  Last season they didnt have much of a running game but Arian Foster has busted onto the scene and makes this team really hard to defend.  They are also getting defensive rookie of the year Brian Cushing back off suspension this week!

6. Indianapolis Colts- Now I realize this might be a little high for the Colts but I have been burned by Peyton Manning so many times in many different ways that I will never bet against him.  It has been a theme for several years now that the Colts defense is terrible and they need a fix but some how by the end of the year everyone is talking about how good their defense is so I am betting they get it turned around.

7. Atlanta Falcons-  They probably should have lost the past two games but good teams find a way to win and that is what the Falcons are doing.  They have been improving on both sides of the ball each year since Matt Ryan was drafted and their defense looks like they are able to carry the load if asked.

8. New Orleans Saints-  Who would have thought that the issue with the Saints this season would be their offense?  Not me!  But I am not really worried about the offense they will figure it out and I have been really impressed with the performance of the defense.

9. New England Patriots- Last nights win against the Dolphins was very impressive because it featured big plays by the defense and special teams.  We know Brady and the offense will perform but if the defense can continue to create turnovers then the rest of the NFL is in for some trouble.

10. Kansas City Chiefs-  I know Chief fans are going to rip me apart on this one but this is all the love I can give them.  Going into the season nobody thought their defense was going to be very good so I need more than 3 games to make my determination.  Also the up and down play of Matt Cassel has me a little worried so again I am in a wait and see stage with the Chiefs.

Check out the rest of the Power Rankings after the Jump!

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NFL Power Rankings: Week 4 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

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Daniel's Top 20 NFL Players - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

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Utah All-Time Drafted List - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football