The New York Giant's Off Season Draft & Free Agency

The New York Giant’s Off Season Draft & Free Agency

The 2010 New York Football Giant’s season was marked with highs and lows. From starting out of the gates with a 5-0 record and looking like Super Bowl contenders, to going 3-8 in there last eleven games. Big Blue had some positives come out of a subpar year, such as the emergence of their wide receiving core with Steve Smith leading the helm. Smith, became the first ever Giant to catch over 100 passes, and totaled over 1200 yards while making it to his first pro bowl. Rookie wide out and first round pick, Hakeem Nicks showed sky-high potential this season, and will continue to play a big role in Big Blue’s offence for years to come. Quarterback, Eli Manning, had his best statistical year of his very promising career, setting a record total for himself in touchdowns (24) yards (4,021) and quarterback rating (93.1). It just shows you that stastics mean nothing in the N.F.L. as the Giant’s seemed to have been better off in the past when Manning didn’t put up the flashy numbers. For the first time sine Manning was a rookie, the Giants were out of the post season. Still, this upcoming year, the offence will be ran through Eli Manning, and not the running game. The biggest issue, and the biggest disappointment was the Giant’s defense and their consistent struggle. If there is one thing Big Blue is known for, it’s their fierce pass rushing. This year, the Giants, struggled tremendously in all defensive areas, giving up the most points in a season in Giants’ history. With the firing of former defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan, and the hiring of Perry Fewell, the Giants’, mean business. Owner John Mara has put the Giant’s on notice, and this offseason will be instrumental in getting The New York Football Giants back into the playoffs. With that being said, the Giants will look to improve through another strong draft and through Free Agency. Don’t look for the Giants to break the bank in an uncapped year, as all indications show they’ll be on a tight budget this year, not looking to overspend for players undeserving of such large deals.

The Giants currently have the 15^th pick in the 2010 N.F.L. draft. It is obvious, they’re few glaring needs are at the linebacker and the defensive back’s position. I see Big Blue strongly looking at ILB Rolando McClain from Alabama. With Big Blue cutting ties with their former captain, and defensive leader MLB Antonio Pierce they need a strong presence in the middle, someone with great intangibles that the Giants so greatly lacked when Pierce was out. McClain is someone who can stop the run, drop back into coverage and get to the quarterback. With the recent hiring of Perry Fewell, the Giants could look to run some 3-4 as well as running the 4-3 and a taste of the Tampa Cover 2 defense on the side. McClain is someone who can play in the middle at the 4-3 or in the inside at the 3-4. Having a versatile linebacker like McClain will allow the Giants to switch defensives confusing quarterbacks. It remains unknown if McClain will slip to the 15 slot, and many think Big Blue will end up with LB Brandon Spikes. Landing Spikes at 15 would be a colossal mistake. Spikes, is a red flag with many character issues. He was the LB at Florida who “Eye Gouged” a player from Alabama.

With that being said, the Giants’ have unlimited flexibility at their current draft slot. They can trade up and get a player they may not get at 15, keep their current slot, or trade down while gaining picks later in the draft. While the N.F.L. combine will be key in deciding who rises and falls, one player Big Blue needs to strongly look at in the second round is CB Perrish Cox from Oklahoma State. Cox, racked up a career high in interceptions this year, and produced all four years at Oklahoma State. While the Giants are big on character Cox was suspended and missed the Cotton Bowl due to violating team rules. While that is a big issue, I believe the Giant’s can look into that and if they feel that was a one-time mistake Cox is their guy. Cox would likely be a late first round pick, and will likely slip because of his off the field mistakes. Cox is a shut down corner, who will press you at the line and make big plays when you need them. Cox led the nation in passes defended in 2009. Cox had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl picking off two passes and proving he will be a hot choice come draft day. If Cox can slip to them in round two, he would be a great addition to a weak secondary. Cox could also fill in at kick and punt returner if Hixon goes down or they fail to re-sign. In the third round the Giants could get a bargain in DT Tyson Alualu. The Giants, originally signed DT Rocky Bernard who they felt would play a key role in their defensive line, and would fit well into that ever so deep rotation. Bernard flopped, and could be cut. They also signed DE Chris Canty, who had trouble making the switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3. Canty, who was sidelined with injuries will likely rebound and have a strong year this year. Alualu, an iron man at Cal, played in every single game at Cal, while playing a pivotal role in helping Cal have one of the best lines in the game. Alualu has great instincts and understands his position well. He would be a steal in the third round, and would bolster the Giants’ defensive line. In the fourth round Big Blue will likely focus their attention to the offensive line. With an ageing Kareem McKenzie they will look to bolster their offensive line and add much needed depth. During the fourth round, I see Big Blue targeting their attention to G John Jerry from Ole Miss. Tom Coughlin is a big believer in having his linemen be versatile, being able to play both the guard and tackle position. Jerry is one of those versatile linemen who would fit well in Coughlin’s system. Jerry has big long arms, and will offer much needed depth and stands to help out in the rushing game providing Jacobs and Bradshaw a nice push up the right side. Jerry could very well challenge Will Beatty or Kareem McKenzie for a starting spot next year.

In the 5^th round, and on day two, I see Big Blue looking at Baylor safety Jordan Lake. Lake is unnoticed due to playing at Baylor but could very well turn into one of the top safeties in the draft in the future. Lake is a tackling machine; he racked up 91 tackles this season while making it to the all-big 12-second conference team. Lake is a steal in the fifth round. The hard hitter would provide depth in the secondary and could challenge Michael Johnson for a starting spot this season. I really like Lake, and I believe that is why the Giants' will hold off drafting a safety on the first day.

In the 6^th round Big Blue will be sure to look at ILB Kion Wilson from South Florida. Wilson, who lost his father and two brothers to gang life has a great set of shoulders and will be a great addition to a strong character organization like the Giants. Wilson racked up 105 tackles this year and received first team all big east honors this season. He was also instrumental in USF success and helping them win a bowl game this year. Wilson would be a big addition to the line-backing corpse and would provide depth under Clint Sintim and would add much needed intangibles and leadership to their defense. In the 7^th round, Big Blue will likely look at OG Thomas Austin from Clemson. Austin, the versatile lineman was the anchor at Clemson for the last three years, starting at guard and center. He was ranked as the top center this year but switched to guard causing him to drop down on a lot of draft boards. While he would likely prefer to play guard, having him backup C Shawn O’Hara would allow them to get much needed flexibility in their current offensive line issues. Big Blue could get a steal with him in the last round.

In Free Agency, I look for the Giants’ to consider signing linebacker Karlos Dansby from Arizona. Dansby will likely require 10-12 million a year, and at that price, The New York Football Giants are unlikely to fork out that amount. Another possible option is LB DeMeco Ryan’s from Houston, but he also will likely require a hefty amount which will likely leave Big Blue out of the Ryan’s sweepstakes. In this uncapped year madness, only about 235 players are unrestricted free agents meaning there won’t be big tons of big names moving. One name they’ll look at is LB Ryan Nece. Nece was productive for the Lions this year racking up 68 tackles. He would provide nice depth at the line backing position and give some veteran leadership to the incoming rookies and young linebackers like Johnathan Goff. I also see Big Blue looking at CB Stanley Wilson also from the Lions. Wilson would provide some depth at the corner back position, and could take over for Derrick Dockery who likely won’t be back.

The Giant’s figure to bee in good shape come next season, and will likely be back on top of the N.F.C and contend for the title once again.