The New York Giants didn’t do too much to bolster their roster on the open market, but Big Blue looks to be slightly better off—if anything—after about three weeks of 2013 NFL Free Agency. Let’s take a look at the Giants’ updated team needs heading into the 2013 NFL Draft (in no particular order).
Photo Credit: Giants.com
1. Offensive Line
Bringing back William Beatty and Kevin Boothe negates the need of any upgrades on the left side of the line, but the same can’t be said on the right side, especially in regards to right tackle David Diehl, who was a human turnstile. If the G-Men can’t land or decide to pass on Jonathan Cooper, Menelik Watson or D.J. Fluker in the No. 19 spot, look for the team to pursue one of the several solid options on the second day of the draft, which could include David Bakhtiari, Terron Armstead, Larry Warford, Justin Pugh and Kyle Long.
2. Defensive Line
The Giants need to improve in the trenches on the defensive side as well by picking up a prospect in the first three rounds to line up opposite Jason Pierre-Paul and replace Osi Umenyiora, who took his talents to the Atlanta Falcons.
Plenty of premier pass-rushers will be available in the first two rounds, which could include Datone Jones, Bjoern Werner, Cornellius Carradine, Alex Okafor, Damontre Moore, Corey Lemonier, and Sam Montgomery.
3. Linebacker
Bolstering the pass rush won’t come close to curing all of the woes on the Giants’ defense, which finished 25th against the run, 28th against the pass and next-to-last in total yards in 2012. The team acquired Dan Connor in mid-March and he should compete for the starting job with Mark Herzlich and possibly another high-to-middle round prospect picked up through the draft.
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Connor, 27, collected 156 tackles and a forced fumble in 42 contests (19 starts) in his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2008-11). The 6-2, 241-pound linebacker registered 56 tackles in 14 games (eight starts) last year with the Dallas Cowboys.
Arthur Brown, Alec Ogletree and Kevin Minter could also be options for the G-Men in the first round. The talent and depth is far from stacked at 4-3 OLB, but the team could also consider Sio Moore, Khaseem Green or Jelani Jenkins on the second day of the draft.
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Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He’s also about to start reporting on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyze important issues in the liberty movement for a political website. Follow him @_MichaelGartman on Twitter. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GridironGrit to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!
