2011 New York Giants NFL Draft Needs

The New York Giants are on the clock with the 19th overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed in the draft.

1. Linebacker: The defense made strides under Perry Fewell in his first season wearing the coordinator cap in the Big Apple. New York finished seventh in total defense with 310.6 yards allowed per game, and it finished eighth against the run (101.2 yards per game) and ninth against the pass (209.3 yards per game). Still, it was evident during a late-season collapse that New York needs better interior linebacker play. It doesn’t make sense for the Giants to reach to fill this needs with their top pick but it does make sense for them to go after a guy like North Carolina’s Quan Sturdivant in round two. He is regarded as the best inside linebacker prospect in the class. The Giants would have considered taking Alabama’s Rolando McClain with their top pick in 2010 had he still been on the board. I think they’ll do all they can to walk away with the best inside backer in this year’s draft.

2. Center/Offensive Guard: I really believe the Giants have their fingers crossed that Florida guard/center Mike Pouncey will fall to them at pick No. 19. He would provide instant depth behind center Shaun O’Hara and left guard Rich Seubert, who are both in their thirties and are coming off injury-riddled seasons. Mike Pouncey may not be quite as good as his twin brother, who made a Pro Bowl trip for Pittsburgh last season, but he is hands down the best interior lineman in this year’s class. If Pouncey is off the board, the Giants may choose to take the best available offensive lineman, which could be Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo at this stage of the first round. The Giants would look to start him inside at guard and eventually move him out to his natural tackle spot. Because their current starting offensive line is aging, New York may not be able to pass up on an opportunity to land a player with the potential to start right away.

3. Running Back: The Giants are at their best offensively when they are running the football effectively. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw helped New York lead the league in yards per carry last season, but Jacobs has taken a beating and Bradshaw has experienced issues with fumbling the football. The Giants will have to think long and hard about taking Alabama’s Mark Ingram if he falls to them, but they could also consider taking Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams in round two.

4. Defensive Tackle: The Giants get a nice rush off the edge but would like to get a little more from the interior. They won’t be going after a defensive tackle in round one, but they could potentially get a nice developmental player like South Florida’s Terrell McClain in the third round. He’ll need to add a little more weight to be effective at the next level but he has the type of quickness off the ball that could make him a valuable inside rusher.

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