2012 NFL Draft: 10 Needs Super Bowl-Winning New York Giants Must Address

The New York Giants still have numerous personnel issues that need to be addressed during the 2012 NFL draft even after winning Super Bowl XLVI

Draft genius Jerry Reese gets another shot to improve upon his legacy starting April 26, and chances are he will not disappoint. Countless Reese draft picks have panned out beautifully for the champion Giants so there's no reason to doubt that it will continue.

Here are 10 areas that the Super Bowl-winning Giants need to take care of in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Tight End

This need doesn’t warrant much of an explanation after two-thirds of the New York Giants tight end corps was decimated in Super Bowl XLVI.

Jake Ballard had a surprisingly productive season, accumulating over 600 receiving yards. Travis Beckum is a good talent but he went eight consecutive games without catching a pass at one point.

Both tight ends tore their ACLs in the final game of the season against the New England Patriots, which means the team needs more help on the edge of the line.

Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen could be the man to fill the newly gaping hole.

Running Back

It’s no secret that the Giants and running back Brandon Jacobs will have a “fun” time working out a contract in the offseason. Jacobs recently said that he would take a pay cut to stay with the team “as long as it’s fair.”

It’s safe to say that Jacobs’ definition of fair might differ from the front office's.

The running game had a good postseason but lest we forget the abysmal regular season performance in which the Giants finished last in the league in rushing offense. If Jacobs does leave, Washington running back Chris Polk could be an option.

Offensive Line

The high level of play by the Giants’ offensive line has been a mainstay for several years.

However, David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie are getting older and their play will begin to deteriorate in the coming years. Mitch Petrus and Will Beatty filled in well for various injured linemen last season but they are not the solution to the aging offensive line.

The Giants could bring in a guy like Andrew Datko from Florida State who is 6’6”, 321 pounds.

Safety

The main issue behind the Giants safety issue is the health of Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas. Phillips has a history of knee problems, and Thomas tore his ACL last preseason.

The Giants finished 29^th in passing yards allowed and 19^th in rushing yards allowed. Some young talent at safety would give Antrell Rolle some help in stopping the run, as well as in pass coverage. Deon Grant isn’t returning for sure and Perry Fewell frequently employs a three-safety package.

Jerry Reese and company could go after Alabama strong safety Mark Barron.

Cornerback

Aaron Ross may not be back next year, meaning the Giants would be smart to draft a cornerback should Prince Amukamara not pan out. Defensive backs have been dropping like flies on the Giants over the last few seasons so it’s always good to have enough personnel to make up for it.

Corey Webster is turning into one of the more reliable cornerbacks in the league and should be able to show Amukamara the ropes. One thing is for sure: The Giants don’t want to be stuck with Will Blackmon in a pivotal role next season.

Is Cliff Harris still an option? He got kicked off the Oregon team by Chip Kelly, but Tom Coughlin’s style of coaching could whip him into shape.

Defensive Line

Even if the Giants don’t need another defensive lineman, you just know Jerry Reese is going after one anyway. The pass rush suffered at times last season due to injuries but everyone should be back at full strength next season (as well as Marvin Austin).

Well, everyone but Osi Umenyiora. After the debacle that was Osi’s contract holdout before last season, it wouldn’t be shocking to see something similar happen again. There’s no guarantee he’ll be with the Giants in the future, so the front office would be best to keep the pass rush elite.

New Jersey native Mike Daniels out of the University of Iowa could work out as a replacement.

Middle Linebacker

The Giants haven’t had consistent play throughout a season from a linebacker since Antonio Pierce. Michael Boley was injured for a portion of the season and Jacquian Williams came around more towards the end.

Vontaze Burfict out of Arizona State plays like a man possessed, but chances are the Giants will only have a chance to grab him at the end of the first round.

Outside Linebacker

The Giants’ linebackers did a sub-par job of stopping the opponent’s rushing game this season. Younger players more often than not have more speed, which would serve to fill the rushing lanes.

On another note, drafting another linebacker would give Mathias Kiwanuka more opportunities to rush the quarterback on passing downs.

Audie Cole, out of North Carolina State, would be a good choice for the Giants. Even though Cole is an inside linebacker, there’s no reason he can’t adapt to a new position just as Kiwanuka has done.

Kick/Punt Returner

The Giants were 29^th in the league in punt return average last season. If you couple that with 22^nd in the league in kick return average, you’ve got a problem. The Giants haven’t returned a punt for a touchdown since 2009 or a kick return for a touchdown since 2007.

They have one of the best punters in the league in Steve Weatherford, so why not complement him in the return game?  Domenik Hixon has torn his ACL twice in the last 15 months, putting his future in serious doubt.

The Giants could fill this role with anyone who has speed and sure hands, although those players are few and far between.

Wide Receiver

The Giants definitely have one of the most impressive young receiving corps in the NFL.

However, they could lose Mario Manningham next season to free agency. Manningham made himself a lot of money by making that catch in the Super Bowl, as the team that signs him will forget about his occasional feet-for-hands syndrome and skittishness. 

Even if Jerry Reese decides not to draft a wide receiver, the team should be in fine shape, as Jerrel Jernigan and Ramses Barden will be given the opportunity to step up. If a wide receiver is drafted, it most likely will be a lesser-known player toward the end of the draft.