2012 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects the New York Giants Could Trade Up for

For most teams, April 26th's NFL draft is a high-stakes opportunity to revamp rosters and reaffirm a commitment to improvement.

Some franchises will write the beginning of a new chapter, while a handful of others will eagerly search for the missing piece that would make a contender.

For the Super Bowl champion Giants, however, the draft is a homecoming.

When Roger Goodell takes the podium and puts Big Blue on the clock, New York City's Radio City Music Hall will erupt with cheers (something the commissioner hasn't heard much of lately). Sure, the G-Men have a few holes of their own to fill, but who's to say the team can't enjoy themselves in the process?

The question is, with draft-extraordinaire Jerry Reese at the helm, just when exactly will Goodell announce the Giants' pick? Right now, New York is slated to select 32nd, but this year's enticing talent pool and New York's salary cap woes may prompt a trade or two.

Here are five touted prospects that the Giants could realistically trade up for.

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Giants had pronounced inconsistencies at guard last season, and adding the big-bodied Glenn would immediately ameliorate struggles in the run game.

Per scouting reports from the New York Times, Glenn boasts a likable aggressiveness and has the size to back up his style of play. Standing at nearly 350 pounds, this guy seems to be the real deal.

Glenn played left tackle in 2011 but appears set on a position change at the pro level. Regardless, he promotes flexibility, something the Giants' injury-prone offensive line would welcome with open arms.

Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller has Glenn going 23rd overall to Detroit in his latest mock. For a promising, aggressive blocker, the Giants could show a little aggression themselves and attempt to move up a few picks.

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw would be a natural in Perry Fewell's system: he's an athletically gifted 'backer with a knack for the pass rush.

Perhaps Reese sees in the national champion what he once saw in Mathias Kiwanuka. At 6'1" and 273 pounds, Upshaw has the size to help the run defense and the agility to come off the edge as a blitzer.

Scouting site MockingTheDraft.com tags Upshaw as "the next LaMarr Woodley." Still, with this year's surplus of talent, he will likely drop to the lower-middle portion of the first round. Not quite low enough for Big Blue, but don't be surprised if Reese tries to move up for Upshaw.

Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Another late first-round projection from 'Bama, the Giants could feasibly pursue Dont'a Hightower as well.

Despite his menacing size at 265 pounds, Hightower still clocked a 4.68 40 at the combine. His explosiveness, tackling abilities and blitzing prowess are all praised by SidelineScouting.com.

If anything hinders Hightower, it's his recent history with injuries. Hightower tore his ACL back in 2009, but after four years of college ball, he certainly seems pro-ready.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

In case you haven't heard by now, the G-Men were relegated to dead-last in the league in total rushing in 2011.

Neither Brandon Jacobs nor Ahmad Bradshaw eclipsed four yards per carry last year, and if Eli Manning is looking to repeat his Super Bowl MVP level of play, he'll need a fortified running game at his disposal.

Enter Miller.

Lamar Miller has some serious speed, and perhaps may mirror Bradshaw more than he supplements him. Still, the Giants will be reluctant to pass on such a pure talent that averaged 5.6 yards per attempt and scored nine times last year.

Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Despite headlining their offseason signings with tight end Martellus Bennett, Reese and company will still adamantly pursue a second TE come draft day. Both Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum face debilitating injuries.

Dwayne Allen was once thought to be a premier draft pick, but his stock appears to be rapidly declining. Still, Allen is currently slated to be a mid second-round pick, and if the Giants don't choose him at the conclusion of the first round, perhaps they may trade up shortly afterwards.

Allen and his eight touchdowns from 2011 would make Eli Manning's offense even more dangerous. That's an offer too good for Reese to refuse.