New York Giants: What to Expect from David Wilson and 2012 Rookies

The New York Giants have won two Super Bowls in the last five years. They haven't been the picture of perfection, but they've been the best team on the field when they need to be.

One undeniable factor in their recent success is general manager Jerry Reese. He learned behind former GM Ernie Accorsi and quickly used his position to mold the Giants into what is now the model for success in the NFL.

It wasn't all by design—no team wants to be the league's worst rushing attack—but the Giants' passing attack and pass rush are the envy of nearly every team in the NFL. A great quarterback, star receivers and a dominant pass rush have been a recipe for success in recent years, and New York has all that in spades.

Reese drafts extremely well. He's one of the GMs who typically subscribes to the "best player available" theory, and it has worked wonders.

This year Reese made seven selections, five of which came on the offensive side of the ball.

The Giants have only once made the postseason after winning the Super Bowl, and it just so happened to be under Reese's watch. Big Blue hopes not only to make the postseason this year, but to truly defend their title.

Whether they can do that depends heavily on contributions from their rookie class.

David Wilson, RB

Reese and coach Tom Coughlin didn't use the No. 32 overall pick on a guy who can't help this team immediately.

The departure of Brandon Jacobs means a number of carries are up for grabs, and the majority of them will belong to the rookie.

Ahmad Bradshaw, who is entering the second year of a four-year deal he signed last summer, is also injury prone. He's tough as nails, but he gets nicked up more often than not.

Wilson gives them another weapon in the backfield and in the passing game immediately and is also a potential successor for Bradshaw.

Expect to see his No. 34 on the field early and often in 2012.

Rueben Randle, WR

The LSU star fell down the draft board to No. 63, and the Giants couldn't have been happier—they considered taking him at No. 32.

The 6'2" receiver will fittingly don the defected Mario Manningham's No. 82 this year. Interestingly enough, that is the exact roll he'll step into as well.

Like Wilson, the Giants didn't draft Randle without intention of using him immediately.

Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will start, but Randle will get an immediate opportunity to contribute as the likely No. 3 receiver.

Jayron Hosley, CB

The second former Virginia Tech star in this draft for Big Blue, Hosley will immediately step in for Aaron Ross in the secondary.

Corey Webster is quietly one of the most solid corners in the league, and Terrell Thomas returns from injury and will retake his starting spot.

Hosley, who has great ball skills, will compete with last year's first-round pick Prince Amukamara for playing time.

In today's NFL you can never have enough cornerbacks.

Adrien Robinson, TE

The 6'4" rookie was described by Reese as the "JPP of tight ends."

Robinson wasn't used a ton at Cincinnati, but he'll come to New York and potentially be a factor in sub-packages immediately.

The Giants suffered two major injuries to tight ends Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard. They signed Martellus Bennett and still have Bear Pascoe, but they're both primarily blocking tight ends. 

Bennett will start, but don't be surprised at all if Robinson is making catches early on.

Brandon Mosley (OT), Matt McCants (OT) and Markus Kuhn (DT)

Mosley and McCants are both developmental prospects at the tackle position. The Giants have trouble at the position and will shift David Diehl to right tackle to replace Kareem McKenzie. Big Blue hopes William Beatty can step back in and play left tackle, but that still remains to be seen.

Mosley, in particular, has a lot of intriguing qualities and could one day be a starter in this league. If all goes well, neither player should see the field this season.

Kuhn, on the other hand, could factor in as a rotational guy. He's not very good against the run, but he is an interior pass rusher and we know the Giants love to keep pass rushers around.

All in all, at least four of these seven draft picks will be counted on this season. Wilson, Randle and Robinson are all new weapons for Eli Manning to work with. The reigning Super Bowl MVP is one of the best at getting production out of young weapons.

Repeating as Super Bowl champions is difficult, but the Giants are in a good spot thanks to Reese's draft class.