2012 NFL Draft: Super Bowl Highlights Biggest Needs for Giants and Patriots

The New York Giants and New England Patriots were indeed super this year, but they certainly aren't without need.

Both teams struggled defensively for much of the season, and they also have a missing component or two on offense.

They have proven they can win behind elite quarterback play and timely defensive stops, but they both could be even more dangerous if they work to fill their needs in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Patriots actually have two first-round picks, No. 27 (via the Saints) and No. 31, to work with while the Giants, obviously, will pick at No. 32.

New England Patriots Defense

New England's secondary obviously takes a good chunk of the blame for being terrible this year defensively, but their pass rush isn't anything to write home about either. On top of that, Mark Anderson is going to be a free agent and veteran Andre Carter is aging and battling injuries.

Jermaine Cunningham and Rob Ninkovich, New England's top two pass-rushing linebackers, can be upgraded too.

And although the pass rush hasn't helped, the secondary lacks elite talent outside of Devin McCourty, who also struggled to play at the level he played at in his rookie campaign.

With two late first-round picks, the Patriots can be expected to use at least one of them, likely both of them, on defensive players.

A few options include cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Alfonzo Dennard, pass-rushing linebackers Chandler Jones and Whitney Mercilus and defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, Andre Branch, Jerel Worthy or Jared Crick.

Patriots Offense

The Patriots have tight ends and two running backs they drafted just last year.

What they need is a vertical weapon who can stretch the field; they've missed that since Randy Moss left, and it was evident in Super Bowl XLVI. They also love versatility.

Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu can play any number of positions and could even moonlight defensively the way Bill Belichick used Julian Edelman this year. He can return kicks too. At 6'2", 215 pounds, Sanu has the size, speed and ability to excel in the NFL.

Other weapons include Kendall Wright and Alshon Jeffery.

New York Giants Offense

The Giants have two major needs, and both of them are up front. We saw that Jake Ballard could make plays as well as Bear Pascoe and Travis Beckum when called upon. They are all fine players, but the Giants could opt for an elite tight end who can cause matchup problems.

Late in the first round, there are a number of options that they can pursue, and they could even be the first team to take a tight end. 

Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener and Orson Charles are the three top options, but Allen fits the mold of the tight ends the Giants like most because of his complete skill set.

They could also look for another left tackle or guard, and there are a number of options including Cordy Glenn, Mike Adams, Brandon Washington, Kelechi Osemele and Zebrie Sanders. 

Giants Defense

The Giants have always taken value over need when they see it. They landed Jason Pierre-Paul that way, and we've seen it pay great dividends.

They need help at linebacker and could opt for a secondary player just to be safe—they suffered a lot of injuries in the secondary this year. We saw the Giants struggle to cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield all season long as well as in the Super Bowl.

Inside linebacker would be their biggest need, but they could also consider adding an athletic outside linebacker who will allow Michael Boley to shift inside.

Zach Brown, Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner fill those roles while Vontaze Burfict and Dont'a Hightower perfect candidates to play in the middle.

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