The Complete Guide to The Giants' 2009 Draft

Heading into the 2009 NFL Draft, many fans are expecting New York to invest their first round pick in a wide receiver. While conventional wisdom dictates that they need one, so few have come into the league to have an immediate impact the way Giant fans will be expecting.

Having said that, the current class of receivers is widely considered the best in several years, and with receiver hungry Chicago without a first-round selection, there is a very good chance that a very serviceable receiver or even a possible future number one receiver will be available to the Giants in round one.

Should there be no desirable receivers on the board; The New York Giants may look to turn their defense from dominant to suffocating.

In examining the elite franchises in recent NFL history (the Patriots, the Steelers, the Colts, the Giants, even the Eagles), they all invest most of their assets on one side of the ball, while employing a sound scheme on the other side of the ball.

Allow me to clarify in regards to said theory.

Each season, the Colts draft, sign, or resign offensive players such as Jeff Saturday, Anthony Gonzalez, Joseph Addai, and Dallas Clark despite having had a dominant offense the prior season.

In the process, they release players such as Edgerrin James and Brandon Stokely because they want to continue to thrive offensively rather than stagnate with aging players.

Fans wonder why they do this because The Colts have so many defensive needs. The Colts believe that they can develop the players they have around Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and Bob Sanders, and that will be good enough to yield a championship.

The Giants have been following a similar formula, building up a powerful defense while running a very sound scheme offensively. This very approach helped The Giants reach the promised land.

This doesn’t mean that The Giants value offensive players any less than they do defensive ones, as they are very essential cogs to a championship run themselves. Let’s see how this year’s draft prospects stack up on The Giants draft board.

1. Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC- Rey Maualuga is just the type of player that embodies the mean streak and passion necessary to catapult the Giant’s defense to the top of the league. Maualuga is an expert in blowing plays up, knifing into the backfield, destroying screen plays, and even jarring the football loose from ball carriers.

Being able to strike that fear into opponents through a passionate player like Maualuga is something that New York would love to add, even if it is via trade up (which it will more than likely take to grab Maualuga).

Maualuga’s biggest weakness is in coverage, but as the strong side linebacker and possible future middle linebacker, Maualuga would not be asked to do much of that.

Selection Chances 1:8

Best NFL Comparison- Ray Lewis

2. Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina- There have been numerous reports as to how many teams have shown interest in Nicks, but the Giants will have to disregard those in hopes that he slides a bit (which is more likely now that Chicago doesn’t have a first round pick).

After examining the skill-sets of each of the prospective collegiate receivers, Hakeem Nicks is one of the players who stand out the most.

He stands at 6'3/4" and ran a 4.5 second 40-yard dash. Neither are overly impressive numbers, but his skill set will make everyone forget about those numbers very soon. Nicks plays the game of football at a very fast pace and also plays much bigger than he is.

On a consistent basis, Nicks catches the ball with the hands away from his body, using his long arms and strong hands to pluck the ball away from defenders and out of the air.

He makes tough catches away from his body, and can also leap for passes in the red-zone, all perfect evidence of the way he uses his body and his speed the way an NFL receiver should.

His concentration is unmatched by any receiver in this draft, as he once caught a pass behind his back and attempted to pass it between his legs while on the run with a defender hot on his trail.

In that same game, he tipped a pass to himself in double coverage and dragged the defender 15 yards into the end zone with him en route to a 200 yard performance.

It may have been that very game against West Virginia that put Nicks on the map, and rightfully so.

Possibly Nicks’ greatest trait though, is going over the middle of the field and displaying toughness. Not many receivers even in the NFL can go over the middle and make as many tough grabs as Hakeem Nicks.

He also possesses a trait that few on the Giant’s roster currently do, which is the ability to run after the catch. Nicks gets away from defenders at any cost, whether it is spinning, trucking, or jumping, he makes the play.

I have been outlining these traits in regards to Nicks for some time, and fully believe that he can come into the league in Anquan Boldin-like fashion and blow up opponents, suddenly striking fear into the hearts of defenses. He has to be used in the right way by Kevin Gilbride for this to occur though.

Selection Chances- 1:3

Best NFL Comparison- Anquan Boldin

3. Brian Cushing, OLB, USC- One of the few players who fits the Giants needs at the strong side linebacker spot; Cushing has emerged as a first round prospect after having a decorated career at USC.

Cushing brings character, intensity, and a great physical skill-set. Despite disappearing at times in games, Cushing finds ways to make spectacular plays on a game to game basis.

No one in this draft fills the “strong side” linebacker role better than he, as he is physical at the line of scrimmage and is very savvy when it comes to knifing into the backfield in both running and passing situations.

Like his teammate, his weaknesses are in pass coverage.

Selection Chances- 1:6

Best NFL Comparison- Julian Peterson

4. Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers- One of the biggest receivers in the draft, Britt will undoubtedly catch The Giants eye in terms of his red-zone presence.

Britt is The Big East's all time leading receiver (ahead of Marvin Harrison). While the success rate of young receivers is usually very low, Britt does possess many aspects to his game that could prove to be commodities immediately. A lot of those traits are similar to Hakeem Nicks.

Britt plays very tall and goes over the middle extremely well. Eli Manning loves to throw over the middle into the teeth of the defense, and Britt loves to go there. Britt also gets behind the defense very well and has shown the ability to make the big play.

Britt has the build and the skill-set of a future No. 1 receiver, which is exactly what Big Blue is looking for.

If Britt is on the board in round two, I wouldn’t expect too many seconds to tick off the clock before New York pulls the trigger on Britt.

Selection Chances 1:6

Best NFL Comparison- Reggie Wayne

5. James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State- One of the most decorated players in Ohio State history; Laurinaitis brings some very intriguing skills to the table for New York.

A slow 40-yard dash time (high 4.7, low 4.8) dropped Laurinaitis’ stock quite a bit, but one should note how fast he did the shuttle run and cone drill, as he was the fastest interior linebacker. History has proven that those drills translate much more that the straight line 40 yard dash.

I won’t be judging him by that alone though. Against USC, Laurinaitis was a man among boys on Ohio State’s side. He stuffed Joe McKnight time after time in the middle and showed impressive coverage skills.

He doesn’t make spectacular plays, but he rarely makes a mistake, especially in traffic.

What makes Laurinaitis so very intriguing is that he plays the run so well, but was far and away the best coverage linebacker in college.

With Jason Witten and Brian Westbrook in the division, linebackers who can cover are very important, maybe even more so than pass rusher right now, as teams will not be able to dump the ball off quickly because Laurinaitis will take those lanes away. Lastly, Laurinaitis can play three downs and provide at every spot in a 4-3 scheme.

Selection Chances- 1:3

Best NFL Comparison- Brian Urlacher

6. Darrius Heyward- Bey, WR, Maryland- Maybe the biggest boom or bust prospect in the draft right now is “DHB”.

If demanding safety attention over the top is what Big Blue is looking to do, Heyward- Bey may be their guy.

DHB was a spectacular playmaker in college and can certainly take the top off a zone defense. Questions abound of how well his game translates to the league, but if he develops properly, he may be the most dangerous receiver in this draft.

At his Pro Day, Heyward- Bey answered questions about both his hands and his route running, if he can improve on those, he is a very legitimate option for The Giants.

Selection Chances- 1:6

Best NFL Comparison- Lee Evans

7. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State- This guy may be the most NFL ready prospect in the entire draft.

None of his numbers will impress physically, but anyone who saw him put Rey Maualuga on his back play after play in the senior bowl will know just how powerful this guy is.

The issue with their opponents' strategy in 2008 was that they brought an extra safety down to the line of scrimmage to defend Brandon Jacobs. Mainly this was because they did not respect the Giant passing game in general.

The tight-end position sees a higher success rate in terms of immediate contributions and this position could be the one that the Giants look to for respect in the passing game, Pettigrew will provide significant support over the middle as well as in the red zone.

Pettigrew is far and away the best tight end available. He could team up with Kevin Boss to make for a dangerous two-tight end set. 

Seletion Chances- 1:12

Best NFL Comparison- Jason Witten

8. Connor Barwin, TE/DE, Cincinnati- This is quite an interesting prospect, and one who the Giants paid special attention to during his pro day. The real interesting part: It was tight ends coach Mike Pope. Barwin is considered a defensive player, but also plays tight end.

If New York is looking for immediate contributors, this guy was a dominant pass rusher as well as a tight end as I mentioned, and he fits the bill of immidiate contributor.

During red zone and pass-rush situations, opponents may not know how to handle this guy on top of all the other weapons that New York has.

Selection Chances- 1:4 (Chances increase in round two)

Best NFL Comparison- Mike Vrabel

9. Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State- One scouting report about Robiskie read “he may not be the Batman of the position, but he is Robin.”

The issue with that is: The Giants are looking for Batman.

Robiskie was very productive at Ohio State and he is a very polished, NFL-ready prospect. He runs routes and catches the ball in a way very reminiscent of The Giants very own Steve Smith.

Robiskie rarely drops the ball, and he also has the ability to get down the field. He is certainly a name to keep an eye on in round two should The Giants go elsewhere in round one.

Selection Chances- 1:8

Best NFL Comparison- Marvin Harrison

10. Max Unger, C, Oregon- Though The Giants have studs all across the offensive line, they have very little depth, which can often cost teams their season (see 2008 Jaguars, 2004 Giants).

Unger is an incredible run blocker, and being that he played in a spread, pass protection is a given. He actually pulled to block a sweep play after snapping in the shotgun. That is a trait that few possess.

His size and quickness will undoubtedly provide depth at every interior position on The Giant’s line, which gives him great value.

Selection chances- 1:16

Best NFL Comparison- Sean O’ Hara

Second Round Watch

Patrick Chung, S, Oregon

Eric Wood, C, Louisville

*Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

*Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

*- Denotes a possibility if not drafted in round one

Trade Possibilities

Tony Gonzalez- To me the most intriguing option for New York on draft day is Tony Gonzalez. Do not understate this man’s ability. For over a decade he legitimized The Kansas City passing game while the quarterback and wide receiver position was largely a revolving door.

With Tyler Thigpen as the starter, Gonzalez had over 90 catches and over 1,000 yards. At the Pro Bowl Peyton Manning even said that as a quarterback, if you can’t throw to this guy, you have an issue.

Gonzalez demands the attention of a safety, and he will draw coverages away from The Giants young receivers while they develop. Whether New York chooses to draft a rookie receiver this year or not, a trade for this guy would be wise.

A third-round pick and another conditional pick in 2010 would be a great price for this future Hall of Famer.

Braylon Edwards- A young and dynamic receiver, Edwards’s time may be up in Cleveland. In 2007, he had a banner season with 16 touchdowns and over 1,200 yards. If he can overcome his drops and perform more consistently, he will be a perennial Pro- Bowler.

The issue with Edwards is price. The Giants can scarcely afford to part with players or a first rounder, and Edwards is also in a contract season.

That said, he has the potential to be a spectacular receiver for years to come. Keep your eyes and ears open on draft day.