NFC East 2012 Draft: Buy or Sell the New York Giants' Draft Picks

The defending Super Bowl Champions addressed their weak running game and added some genuine playmaking talent to an already explosive offense.

Virginia Tech's David Wilson may not have been the obvious choice with their first-round pick. However, he has the game-changing speed to revitalise the ground game and offer a different kind of threat to the power attack opponents often expect from the G-Men.

LSU wideout Rueben Randle was a potential steal in Round 2 and should more than make up for the free-agency loss of Mario Manningham. However, from there, the Giants made some questionable decisions.

Most notably, they refrained from adding numbers to a suspect linebacking corps. The Giants also resisted the chance to add a rush end as insurance against the potential defection of contract rebel Osi Umenyiora.

With these factors in mind, here is a buy or sell analysis for each of Big Blue's 2012 draft picks.

Round 1: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

The Giants sprung a mild surprise when they opted for David Wilson with their first-round pick. Yet this was a smart selection and gives the offense a deceptively-tough runner with the speed to stretch a defense.

While most would have expected the Giants to target a straight-ahead power back to compensate for the loss of Brandon Jacobs, it was a wise move to opt instead for an elusive outside runner. Wilson makes quick decisions and rarely goes down after first contact.

Verdict: BUY

Wilson will open up the rushing attack and give it some legitimate big-play capability.

Round 2: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The Giants' patience in Round 2 was rewarded by some good fortune when LSU wideout Rueben Randle fell to them with the 64th-overall pick. He is a big target for Eli Manning, with the potential to offer a genuine vertical threat on the outside.

He is a physical receiver with the size to beat press coverage and accelerates well deep down the field. The 6'3", 210-pounder is a lengthy pass-catcher with the long-striding running style to stretch coverage schemes and also be a useful red-zone threat.

Verdict: BUY

Randle has the potential to be an even more explosive and productive third receiver than the inconsistent Manningham.

Round 3: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Giants used their third-round pick to add Wilson's teammate, Jayron Hosley, to a secondary ravaged by injuries in recent seasons. Hosley is noted for his expertise in zone schemes and fits well with what the Giants like to have their corners do.

His fluidity and reaction speed are Hosley's most impressive attributes. However, his lack of elite pro size is a concern.

Hosley is built with a thin frame, and the 5'10", 178-pounder could struggle against the big, physical wide receivers currently proliferating the NFL.

Verdict: BUY

Size may be an issue, but Hosley is a good insurance pick at a position where Prince Amukamara and Terrell Thomas are hoping to rebound from serious injuries.

Round 4: Adrien Robinson, TE, Cincinnati

While the Giants certainly needed to add a tight end, Cincinnati's Adrien Robinson seems like something of a reach as a fourth-round pick. The Giants could have waited and picked up LSU's DeAngelo Peterson in a later round, or as an undrafted free agent.

By opting for Robinson, the G-Men left players like Florida State offensive lineman Zebrie Sanders and Troy defensive end Troy Massaquoi still on the board. Both would have answered definite needs, with Sanders arguably an ideal fit as a versatile tackle for an aging front five.

Verdict: SELL

Robinson is athletic, but is very inexperienced. While he has physical gifts, the Giants ignored more pressing needs to use a fourth-rounder on a very raw player.

Round 5: Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn

Fifth-round selection Brandon Mosley could be a case of right pick, wrong player. The Auburn blocker is another player who lacks experience at the position the Giants drafted him to play.

Mosley saw time at tight end and defensive end in his earlier playing days. He does have good size at 6'5" and 314 pounds and also offers the athleticism to be effective in space.

However, given the Giants' need for help at tackle, it seems strange that they decided to use a pick on a player who will need time to develop.

Verdict: SELL

The Giants took a chance on a very raw prospect. It worked in 2010 with Jason Pierre-Paul, but that doesn't mean this kind of kind of risk will pay dividends every time. 

Round 6: Matt McCants, OT, UAB

UAB tackle Matt McCants is the second finesse-style blocker added by the Giants in this draft. Along with Mosley, McCants' arrival could signal a shift to a more mobile, zone-based blocking scheme this season.

Like Mosley, McCants will need time to develop. He has prototype size at 6'5" and 308 pounds and has a wide wingspan.

Yet Giants fans shouldn't expect McCants to be a powerful in-line blocker. What gives him a chance is his ability on the move.

Verdict: BUY

Big Blue left prospects like Andrew Datko and Nate Potter on the board. However, McCants offers equal potential to develop into a starter.

Round 7: Markus Kuhn, DT, North Carolina State

Arguably the strangest pick in the Giants' draft was the seventh-round selection of North Carolina State defensive tackle Markus Kuhn. The 6'4", 299-pounder shows good initial burst and is a tough-hustling lineman.

Yet Kuhn doesn't seem dynamic or strong enough to warrant a pick at a position where the Giants already have Chris Canty, Linval Joseph, Marvin Austin and the newly-signed Shaun Rogers. He did register 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2011.

However, Kuhn's technique needs a lot of work, and he appears to lack the brute strength to man the interior at the pro level.

Verdict: SELL

Kuhn has potential, but the Giants are well-stocked at tackle. They may have been best served adding an edge-rusher like Missouri's Jacquies Smith or California's Ernest Owusu.

Playmakers at the Skill Positions at the Expense of Offensive Line and LB Help

The Giants got even more dynamic at the skill positions and made a bold philosophical shift in the running game. However, by opting for so many development prospects, they missed the chance to add marquee youngsters to and ageing offensive line.

Most concerning is the fact that the G-Men elected not to address the linebacker position. Trading for Keith Rivers was a nice move, and maybe Michael Boley can make the transition to middle linebacker.

However, ignoring a long-standing problem position seems like a gamble. In fact, the defense in general could use more work.

Yet if the Wilson and Randle picks come good, there won't be many teams in the league able to match Big Blue for points.