New York Giants: Redskins vs Giants 2012 Positional Draft Update Defense

If you’re a New York Giants fan make sure you bookmark this blog and come back every Wednesday and Thursday (and Monday-Sunday as well, of course!) to NFLmocks because it’s the unofficial New York Giants draft blog. I’ll be spending every Wednesday and Thursday focusing on the New York Giants with a concentration on the N.F.L. draft (Past, present, and future).

Last week I made my predictions for the 2012 positional needs on offense and also on defense. Each week (or maybe every few weeks) I’ll review how the players did at those positions and decide whether it’s more or less of a need than I thought.

The biggest defensive need for me for the 2012 NFL Draft as it stood entering the season was cornerback. And that remains the same. The Giants still have no depth at cornerback and this will not change until Prince Amukamara comes back AND there is good news on the Terrell Thomas front. Thomas can be a free agent after this season if he’s not resigned by the new York Giants. Aaron Ross had an o.k. game, but he is also a free agent after this season. If you’re a Giants fan keep a lookout for round 1 and two cornerback prospects.

Those who are against grabbing cornerbacks back to back in the first round are stubborn. Cornerback is always a need, the problem is it’s a major need for the Giants and it needs to addressed.

Strongside Linebacker

Less of a need…as long as Justin Tuck’s neck injury is not serious.

One week in and Mathias Kiwanuka looks extremely impressive at the strongside (or weakside in Perry Fewell’s system). He was good in run support and also respectable in pass coverage. The big game from Jason Pierre Paul and the very nice showing from Dave Tollefson means that Kiwanuka can stay at linebacker moving forward and could be the solution there as well. With that being said, Kiwanuka is back on a one year contract right now so unless he’s resigned this is an issue.

Also, as long as Perry Fewell is defensive coordinator for the Giants they will heavily employ a three safety set, so strongside linebacker is not a huge need.

Defensive Line: Down

If you’re a Giants fan you have to know that Defensive line is always an option for the Giants in the first two rounds of the draft. Heading into the season questions were abound about what would J.P.P be able to do (we all love his potential), and also at the same time what about Linval Joseph. Could he replace Barry Coefield. It’s just one week, but so far so good for the New York Giants. Linval Joseph didn’t dominate the game, but he flahsed dominance. On the other hand: Jason Pierre Paul DID dominate the game. He was matched up vs Tent Williams much of the game. He had two sacks, I believe three Tackles for loss, a forced fumble. Man that guy is good. I’m sorry Reese for doubting that pick.

Safety: Remains to be seen

I didn’t list Safety as a need for the New York Giants last week, but I considered it. I think this will be “remain to be seen”, until the Giants can get more cornerbacks. Kenny Phillips did flash his ability and looks to be close to returning to form.

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