New York Giants 2012 NFL Draft Positional Rankings

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Team Needs for the 2012 N.F.L. Draft

#1 Interior Offensive Lineman (up!)

With the signing of David Baas it seemed like the Giants were set at the interior of their offensive line with Diehl, Baas, and Chris Snee. But Diehl has been absolutely awful. The Giants need an interior offensive linemen. They have Guard Mitch petrus on the backburner, is he the future? I’m not sure.

The good thing about Baas is his versatility. he played guard with the 49ers prior to last season so if the Giants find a center they like, they could move Baas to guard and draft that player. Michael Brewster is the best first round option and Peter Konz (Wisconsin) is a possible second round option.

RT (Up)

Kareem Mackenzie is showing his age this year. After an excellent 2010 campgain where Mackenzie was a pro bowl talent at the right tackle position, he’s had a major decline. Mackenzie is a sieve on the right side and isn’t opening up the same lanes in the running game either. Mackenzie is only going to be 33 years old next season. That’s not terribly old for an offensive linemen, but his play needs to improve.

The Giants drafted James Brewer, a player who is like a young Kareem Mackenzie. Will he be ready to step up next year?

Cornerback (Down, but still a big need)

The Giants secondary has been bad this year. A lot of that has to do with injuries, but the problem is can you count on a return to full health by Terrel Thomas? I’m not sure. Thomas will be coming off his second A.C.L. tear in the same knee. That’s not good. Thomas is also a free agent as is Aaron Ross. That leaves the Giants with Corey Webster, Justin Tyron (signed last week) and Prince Amukamara (yet to play). That’s not much depth at all. Their talent at the cornback position is not bad if they resign Thomas and Ross, but their depth is not good.

First round options: Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, Chase Minnifield Viringia, Stephon Gilmore South Carolina (also adds retrun ability). Name to watch: Trumaine Johnson, Montana.

Trumaine Johnson has that word attached to him that Giants love “potential”. He’s a 6’2 corner who has good speed and is considered raw, but uncommon. That’s exactly the kind of prospect the Giants favor under Jerry Reese.

If the Giants continue to play the wya they played vs the Seahawks Alabama’s, likely top 10 pick, Dre Kirkpatrick also becomes an option.

MLB/SAM linebacker

The Giants now have two good linebackers instead of none. Michael Boley is playing exceptional football this year and Jacquian Williams is also playing very well for a rookie. The problem with these guys is they are both WILL linebackers. They are chase the ball carrier, blitzers, pass coverage guys. The Giants don’t have the horses at MLB or OLB. This draft is actually very nice at the top for 43 linebackers this year compared to last year.

Where players like Travis Lewis, Zach Brown (more Will linebackers), Manti Te’o, Vontaze Burfic, and Luke Kuechley might all go in the first round and all can play 43 linebacker. Manti Te’o is bulky and could play MLB or Sam. Vontazue Burfict has uncommon athletic ability and a asty demeanor. Not many linebackers have seemed to interest the Giants in the first two rounds (there was some noise made about Rolando McClain and Sean Lee) but I have a feeling that could change if Burfict is on the board when the Giants select. He’d be a welcome addition by the fans. With Jason Pierre Paul’s emergence the Giants might find it suitable to move Kiwanuka back to end (poor guy) play JPP, Tuck, Kiwi, and Tollefson at DE and then trade away disgruntled Osi. Who knows?

Return Man (Stagant)

Devin Thomas has flashed a bit, but meh. That could be a lot on special teams coordinator Tom Quinn, a man no Giants fan has faith in. This isn’t a huge need though because Jerel Jernigan could grow into this role.

Wide Reciever (down)

Why’s it down. Cruuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Need I say more?

Now, slot receiver. I still think Jernigan can mature into this role (remember it took Smith most of 2007 to learn that role and for him to be comfortable enough to see action in games), so I’m not ready to give up on that yet. It’s just annoying now.

slot receiver options: Ryan Broyles is a slot WR machine and could be an option in the first or second round.

Safety (Up)

Deon Grant has shown his age (old). There’s an outside chance that Chad Jones will return to the football field sometime in the next two years, but the Giants can’t make plans based on that. There are a lot of nice second round options for the Giants.

OSU-Markelle Martin, Alabama’s Robert Lester or Mark Barron, Miami’s Ray Ray Armstrong, and Maryland’s Kenny Tate are all safeties who could be useful for the Giants. Keep those players in mind.

Thoughts?

I think the running games problems have more to do with the blocking than the running backs. I’m not worried about the interior of the DL with the very nice play of Joseph and Canty because Austin comes back next year. Can’t rule that out though. DE is the last of the Giants worries with Jason Pierre Paul being Da Man! Kicker and Punter are all right as well.

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