Giant Hole At Middle Linebacker:Ro Or Spoon at 15th Overall Can Fix It

Rolando McClain is deemed the best linebacker in this years draft but lately his draft stock has been scrutinized due to his speed and ability to play in coverage.The main knocks on McClain are speed and aggressiveness or the lack thereof.The last time the Giants made a bold move in a draft was in 2004.They drafted Phillip Rivers and traded him to the Chargers for Eli Manning, along with their then 1st and 3rd round picks.

The Giants organization pride themselves on bringing in quality guys to their locker room.There's no questioning McClain's: leadership,capability to break down offenses,work ethic and physical stature.From a character stand point McClain fits the bill. If Jerry Reese and Co. believes that McClain is the guy (the same way they were confident in Eli) and McClain runs well (anything between 4.5-4.7 40) at his upcoming pro day—Jerry Reese may opt to make an uncharacteristic move by trading up to get him.

Sean "Spoon" Weatherspoon is a guy,with high character,great athleticism,high motor,leadership and the attitude that most great middle linebackers have.Spoon is a versatile player that played strong side and middle linebacker most of his time at Mizzou.At the Senior Bowl, coaches were so intrigued by him that they allowed him to practice and play middle linebacker, for the game.Leadership shouldn't be a concern for Weatherspoon, he was the leader of the defense at Mizzou and the defense at the Senior Bowl.

Spoon's area of weaknesses are offensive play recognition and positioning.In college he relied on his speed sometimes to get him to the ball—this will not work in the NFL most of the times.His weaknesses are all coach-able, with his desire to get better, he'll work hard to improve his game.He's a guy that could come in and share time with Jon Goff (if the Giants decide go into the season with Goff as the starter), in order to get more acclimated with the pro game.With good coaching and limited setbacks he can become the starter mid way through the season.

There's no question that the Giants have a gaping hole at middle linebacker.Jon Goff struggled while filling in for Antonio Pierce last season—Antonio Pierce was subsequently relaced due to injury concerns.If there was ever a year for the Giants to take another linebacker high (excluding the year LT was taken) in the draft—this is it.Granted,there will be some growing pains, either Spoon or Ro (if he runs well at his pro day) can become the long term answer at middle linebacker the Giants have been looking for.There's game tape of both players for scouts and there's YouTube videos of them, for the die hard fans.Tom Coughlin has a tendency to not give rookies significant playing time,that bodes well for either one of  these prospects.