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2007 New York Giants NFL Draft Predictions

Now take a look at our 2008 New York Giants Predictions & Season Preview!

The team that's drafting #20 in the 2007 NFL Draft is much worse off now that Tiki Barber is retired. The Giants will likely spend their first-round pick on Barber's successor at running back, a cornerback or a left tackle, where Luke Petitgout is attempting to return from a fractured fibula. Power runner Brandon Jacobs seems like the heir apparent to Barber, having rushed for 423 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

The problem is Jacobs is not quick, prone to injury and might be better paired with a younger, faster back. There should be a few attractive options by the time the Giants get on the clock, most notably California's Marshawn Lynch, last season's Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. The running back position seems to get filled in the later rounds in previous years by the majority of the NFL teams, leaving a cornerback a very possible first-round selection for New York.

New York finished 28th in NFL pass defense last season. Even cornerback Corey Webster, the Giants' top pick in 2005, struggled. A hard-tackling cover corner who can contribute right away and raise Webster's performance is a priority. Possible options include Leon Hall of Michigan, Pittsburgh's Darrelle Revis, Chris Houston of Arkansas and Cal's Daymeion Hughes. They will likely wait towards the later rounds to find a player to replace Petitgout since Joe Thomas and Levi Brown are certain to be gone at the offensive tackle position.

New York needed a more aggressive attitude on defense and should have a new look now that Tim Lewis is gone. The new defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, made his name as an assistant in Philadelphia by developing fast, aggressive, blitzing linebackers. He was the Eagles' linebacker coach and turned Jeremiah Trotter into a Pro Bowler and Giants killer. New York will likely go after at least one linebacker that can fit his mold in the draft.

The Giants will have one of the better offenses in the league, they just have to have a defense that can match it. They can't try and outscore their opponents every Sunday, so they would like to be able to rely on their defense to shut teams down. Cornerbacks and linebackers that can step in right away are their first priority for the 2007 NFL Draft.

Updated April 27th, 2007