New York Giants 2012 Draft: Mid-Round Pass-Rushers to Replace Osi Umenyiora

The New York Daily News reports that Osi Umenyiora is unhappy with life as a rotational player, which might encourage the New York Giants to look for his replacement in the 2012 NFL draft.

Umenyiora has been one of the most consistent and dynamic pass-rushers in the game ever since he entered the league in 2003. However, the regular "will they, or won't they?" offseason sagas, centering around whether the Giants would trade the disgruntled sack artist, have become tiresome.

The standoff between the front office, coaches and Umenyiora has become so predictable that no surprise at all was registered by the 30-year-old defensive end's hints that he will not participate in team workouts.

If the Giants do decide that it's best to finally part ways with Umenyiora, there are some nice mid-round options in the draft who could be groomed to replace him.

Here are the five best pass-rushers that GM Jerry Reese should consider.

1. Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh

Brandon Lindsey is perfect for the Giants' schemes and has the makings of becoming a dangerous nickel pass-rusher at the pro level. 

He is a potential steal for the G-Men, in either the fifth or sixth round.

The Pittsburgh standout plays with superb natural leverage and a brute strength that belies his 6'2", 254-pound frame. Lindsey is an aggressive pass-rusher who slams into opposing blockers.

He is able to beat them with a combination of sound hand technique and deceptive short-area quickness.

Lindsey would need to add some more moves to his repertoire, but he has the raw potential to wreak havoc alongside Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck in nickel and dime packages.

2. Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma

Ronnell Lewis has the athleticism to play with his hand down and create plenty of problems on third down.

He is a quick and fluid player, with the flexibility to do a number of things in Perry Fewell's schemes.

Lewis combines great acceleration and physicality to crash the edges of a blocking scheme. He is a quick-footed rusher with natural power.

Like Brandon Lindsey, Lewis needs to refine his overall game and would certainly benefit from learning some new moves and tricks from Big Blue's stable of stud pass-rushers.

At 253 pounds, Lewis has the frame to translate well to speed-rushing end. The chance to add technique to a player with this much quickness and strength could tempt the G-Men to use a third- or even a second-round choice on Lewis.

3. Jacquies Smith, Missouri

Jacquies Smith is a great late-round option for the Giants to consider. He is an intelligent pressure specialist with good first-step quickness.

Smith lacks elite intangibles, such as prototype height and arm length. However, he is a high-effort, savvy player with exceptional closing speed.

He possesses the basic attributes that make fine pass-rushers and also offers the range to be a stand-up, "joker" type player in certain packages.

Smith would offer great value in either the fifth or sixth round.

4. Vinny Curry, Marshall

Despite his draft status plummeting in recent weeks, the Giants may find it hard to pass on Marshall's Vinny Curry if he slips to the end of the second round.

Once a projected first-rounder, Curry's stock has dropped dramatically, following a poor showing at the combine. His true draft position has also been difficult to predict thanks to the view of Curry as a 'tweener, not big enough for an every-down 4-3 role.

That makes him perfect material for nickel pass-rush work.

The 6'3", 266-pounder has exceptional first-step quickness and explosion. Curry also has a penchant for knocking the ball loose when he sacks a quarterback.

That kind of big-play capability is invaluable at the next level, and if Curry drops far enough, the Giants have to take him.

5. Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

Another player who represents tremendous risk, but equally high-potential reward, is West Virginia's Bruce Irvin.

His draft stock was hurt by an arrest for property damage in mid-March.

However, Irvin will still intrigue plenty of teams on draft day, and the Giants should be in that mix. He possesses rare speed coming around the edge and is also very effective when he twists inside.

Irvin has the kind of fluid movement skills all dangerous pass-rushers need. At only 245 pounds, many may shy away from using Irvin as an every-down end. Yet his frame and range are perfect for a role as a situational pass-rusher.

If the Giants' experienced and disciplined coaching staff believe it can keep Irvin focused, the team could land a first-round talent in the second or third round.

Keeping the Pass-Rush Options Strong Is Vital for the Giants

The pass-rush rotation is the strength of this New York Giants team. Maintaining both the numbers and quality is crucial to the overall success of the defense.

Multiple pass-rush weapons allow Perry Fewell to utilize more man coverage techniques than many other teams could risk, and the secondary schemes dovetail well with the pressure up front.

The Giants have already lost Dave Tollefson in free agency.  

With the disgruntled Osi Umenyiora about to enter the final year of his contract, Big Blue would be wise to add one of these pure pass-rushers in this draft.