NFL Draft 2012: 3 Most Important Positions New York Giants Must Address

Coming off their second Super Bowl in five seasons, the New York Giants enter the free agency period with more questions than answers.

After signing free agent defensive back Terrell Thomas to a contract extension Tuesday, they still have 18 unrestricted free agents they have to make decisions on.

The Giants expect to lose WR Mario Manningham in free agency, and after releasing RB Brandon Jacobs, there are positions that the team must address during this period before the NFL draft in April.

Here are the top three positions they need to address, and possible solutions to help the Giants get back to big game in 2012.

3. Reserve/Third Down RB

Brandon Jacobs is gone, and the Giants have a decision to make regarding the three running backs on the current roster not named Ahmad Bradshaw. They could choose to create a larger role for D.J. Ware, but his game might not compliment Bradshaw in the same way Jacobs' ground-and-pound style did.

Since Bradshaw has struggled with injuries of late, it's important to find a durable replacement should he suffer a similar fate at some point in 2012. Mike Tolbert is a name floating around as a good fit, and his goal-line presence could benefit the Giants the same way it has for the San Diego Chargers the past two seasons.

But if his price tag becomes too high, a fifth-round selection or later couldn't hurt this group of running backs' chances to be even more productive in 2012. A name like Baylor's Terrance Ganaway could be a good fit if he's available after the Giants address some other needs.

Look for them to pursue someone as an insurance/complement to Bradshaw, and if not they will have to rely on Ware to provide depth and rest this season.

2. Linebacker

Chase Blackburn is set to hit the open market after a stellar season that found him in the middle of big plays when the G-men needed them the most. Jonathan Goff is also a free agent, and although he suffered a knee injury that kept him out this season, coach Tom Coughlin expects him to be ready for the season. 

Linebacker is an important position to address in the draft. Without the run support of solid backers, the Giants' fierce pass rush becomes less lethal if teams can run the ball at will.

Vontaze Burfict has seen his draft stock slip a little after a lackluster combine, but he could still be available in the second round. If not, James-Michael Williams of Nevada is a name being tossed around as a possible replacement at middle linebacker in the coming seasons.

There are a number of directions New York can go here, but they need to spend a top draft pick on some help behind the D-line.

1. Tight End

This has been the consensus first-round pick for the team since mock drafts began circulating the day after the Super Bowl. After watching two tight ends suffer knee injuries in the same game, this draft will be about finding the best TE to take with that 32nd overall pick.

Since it is an obvious need, picking the best of the three major options (Orson Charles [Georgia], Dwayne Allen [Clemson] and Coby Fleener [Stanford]) seems to be the only problem. 

Charles presents huge upside in terms of athleticism and talent. But he is considered more of a project than the other three. Allen falls into the Alge Crumpler category of tight ends; he is a bigger guy with great hands, but he doesn't run great routes so his role further than anything other than a red-zone target falls into question.

Fleener seems to be the top pick in the minds of the experts. His height and speed make him a more attractive option than Allen, and since he is the overall better prospect in the minds of scouts, he could also be the most NFL-ready talent to compete when he arrives at Giants camp.

The Giants will address their biggest need in the biggest way, making one of these tight ends a member of their championship-defending franchise come April.