New York Giants: Full 7-Round Mock Draft Predictions

Even as the New York Giants head into the playoffs, there are many glaring needs on the roster, needs that showed up repeatedly during an up-and-down 9-7 campaign.

The offensive line shuffle that began last season with the release of veterans Shaun O’Hara and Rich Seubert led to a year of flux in front of Eli Manning. David Diehl shuffled back and forth between guard and tackle on the left side and right tackle Kareem McKenzie (scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent) was inconsistent.

The Giants finished last in the league in rushing offense—a shocking development for a franchise that has long been renowned for its ability to run the ball—and, though the running game improved over the last three or four weeks of the season, there is no question that offensive line has to be a priority heading into the draft.

Another area of need is in the back middle of the defense, both at the middle linebacker and safety positions. Yes, Big Blue was impacted by a rash of injuries along the back end of the defense but clearly there is a need for more athleticism and depth.

Free agency could affect how the Giants approach the draft. Wide receiver Mario Manningham is also a pending free agent, as are cornerbacks Terrell Thomas—who missed the entire 2011 season after tearing his ACL in the preseason—and Aaron Ross.

Defensive end Dave Tollefson is another unrestricted free agent who, if he departs, could leave a hole in the Giants’ rotation on the defensive line.

Because the Giants are in the playoffs, we’re not entirely sure of their eventual draft position. Currently, New York is slated to pick 23^rd in each round, but that could move down should the Giants beat the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday’s wild-card playoff game.

For purposes of this mock draft, then, I am making two assumptions:

1) The Giants will be picking from the 23^rd position.

2) The conditional draft pick owed to the Minnesota Vikings from the September 2010 trade that brought running back Darius Reynaud and quarterback Sage Rosenfels to New York will be a seventh-round selection, since neither player is currently on New York’s roster.

So that means the Giants will be selecting in each of the first six rounds and, in order, here is how those picks could fall.

Round 1, Pick 23: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

At 6'5" and 348 pounds, Glenn is the second-rated guard according to CBSSports.com. Glenn was named first-team All-SEC, and his start in Monday’s Outback Bowl was the 50^th of his career with the Bulldogs. He was a versatile offensive lineman at Georgia, starting at both guard spots and left tackle during his four years in Athens.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com rates Glenn highly in pass blocking but points out that his technique can get lazy at times. For his size, he is surprisingly quick when pulling to lead on toss and counter plays.

Round 2, Pick 55, Markelle Martin, FS, Oklahoma State

Martin is the top-ranked free safety on CBSSports.com’s list of top draft prospects. Martin is 6'1" and 198 pounds with a 4.47 time in the 40. Martin is not likely to be overwhelmed by the glare of the New York lights—two of his best efforts came in bowl games, the 2010 Cotton Bowl against Ole Miss and the 2010 Alamo Bowl against Arizona, when he was named player of the game with a pick six and two pass break-ups, according to CBSSports.com.

Listed as a strong safety at Oklahoma State, he has the versatility to play both spots and projects as a better prospect at free safety, according to Chad Reuter of CBSSports.com. He’s not strong in man coverage but can cover a lot of ground in zone assignments. He closes to the ball well and has the hands to turn those into picks. Strong in run support, he’s also a big hitter over the middle.

Round 3, Pick 87, Audie Cole, MLB, North Carolina State

Cole is a good-sized linebacker at 6'4" and 239 pounds and has quick instincts when asked to read and react, according to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com. While experienced in pass coverage, Cole can rely on his hands too much at times. Cole was a three-sport athlete in high school and was a Golden Gloves winner as a boxer.

Round 4, Pick 119, Levy Adcock, T, Oklahoma State

Adcock has the requisite size to succeed at the tackle position at 6'5" and 322 pounds. He was a first-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior. Chad Reuter of CBSSports.com says Adcock’s athleticism shows when he is asked to pass protect. While not a dominant run blocker, he doesn’t often get beat by quickness or give up ground, either.

Round 5, Pick 141, Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly

Jackson is a best-athlete-available pick in the fifth round, a smallish cornerback at 5'10" and 188 who could provide a spark on special teams with his 4.4 speed. Jackson played collegiately against FCS competition, but speed is a skill that translates to any level.

Round 6, Pick 173, Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois

With the potential loss of backup David Carr to free agency, Harnish is a project who could provide offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride with a weapon in some form of Wildcat formations. At 6'2" and 221 pounds, Harnish was a dual-threat quarterback for the Huskies, passing for 2,942 yards and rushing for 1,382 more as a senior, with a combined 37 touchdowns passing and running.

Just as impressive was the five interceptions thrown in 348 attempts. His 4.72 40-yard dash time won't remind anyone of Robert Griffin III, but Harnish is a smart runner who knows how to move the chains.

Round 7, Pick 205, Traded to Minnesota

For purposes of this mock, this pick went to the Vikings to complete the 2010 trade for running back Darius Reynaud and quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Minnesota also got a fifth-round selection in 2011 in this deal.