NFL Draft: New York Giants Team Draft Retrospective

This article is part of a series that looks at each NFL team’s recent draft history, with the hope of extracting information about the way they think and the players they value. The analysis is limited to the past five drafts in the interest of relevance, and the first three rounds because that’s where most impact players are taken.

This entry will focus on the New York Giants.

DRAFT HISTORY

In the past five years, the Giants have taken the following players in the early rounds. Their positions and the rounds in which they were drafted are listed next to their names.

2006:   Mathias Kiwanuka, DE (1)

            Sinorice Moss, WR (2)

            Gerris Wilkinson, LB (3)

2007:   Aaron Ross, CB (1)

            Steve Smith, WR (2)

            Jay Alford, DT (3)

2008:   Kenny Phillips, S (1)

            Terrell Thomas, CB (2)

            Mario Manningham, WR (3)

2009:   Hakeem Nicks, WR (1)

            Clint Sintim, LB (2)

            William Beatty, OT (2)

            Ramses Barden, WR (3)

            Travis Beckum, TE (3)

2010:   Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (1)

            Linval Joseph, DT (2)

            Chad Jones, S (3)

BREAKDOWN BY POSITION

Here is the number of players the Giants have drafted for each position:

Wide Receiver: 5

Cornerback: 2

Defensive End: 2

Defensive Tackle: 2

Linebacker: 2

Safety: 2

Offensive Tackle: 1

Tight End: 1

IMPACT

Mathias Kiwanuka has been a very good complementary player, contributing at both defensive end and linebacker. Aaron Ross has been a consistent, if not spectacular, starter. Receivers Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks are studs, and despite some issues with route running and general football IQ, Mario Manningham is a good third receiver.

Of course, one has to factor in the overall team performance, and a Super Bowl victory more than makes up for any individual missteps.

TRENDS

The most obvious point here is that the Giants have taken a whopping five wide receivers over this time period. Naturally, the team wants to provide targets for its franchise quarterback. Moreover, the scouting department has proved its worth in this area, as Steve Smith was a Pro Bowler in 2009, and Hakeem Nicks is almost sure to be one in the coming years.

The secondary has also received attention early in the draft, as two cornerbacks and two safeties have been selected.

Less stellar has been their record with linebackers. Neither Gerris Wilkinson nor Clint Sintim has helped improve the weakest area of the defense.

The biggest area of neglect has been the offensive line, which has steadily declined with age over the past few seasons. Tackle William Beatty, the lone selection at this position, has struggled in his limited action.

Also worth noting is the Giants’ affinity for defensive ends. Though they’ve only taken two over this span in the early rounds, that’s still a significant amount given that they already had quality starters at the position in Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and the now retired Michael Strahan.

2011 OUTLOOK

The Giants’ biggest needs are at offensive line and linebacker. Though they haven’t placed a premium on the former in the draft, it’s become a big enough weakness that they are likely to break that trend. They need to protect their franchise quarterback. Guard Mike Pouncey (Florida) is the consensus top player at his position, and the Giants will take a hard look at him. However, quality interior linemen can be found in the middle rounds, and they may instead turn their attention to a top heavy tackle class. If so, the obvious choice would be Anthony Castonzo out of Boston College, where Tom Coughlin previously coached. In the event that Castonzo is unavailable, other options include Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State) and Nate Solder (Colorado).

Linebacker can wait until round two or three, where the Giants can grab Mason Foster (Washington) or Martez Wilson (Illinois). They may also like Bruce Carter (North Carolina) enough to take him despite injury concerns.

Even though their receiving corps is stacked, both Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks suffered injuries past season. Given their propensity for taking receivers early, they may take yet another one here. Leonard Hankerson (Miami), Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Titus Young (Boise State) and Torrey Smith (Maryland) are all good options.

Though the Giants love stockpiling defensive ends, they took Jason Pierre-Paul in the first round last year, so they’re unlikely to target another DE early this draft. Rather, they could stand to replenish the interior. They took Linval Joseph last year, and now they could use a disruptive under tackle. Marvin Austin (North Carolina) or Stephen Paea (Oregon State) slipping to them in the second is the dream scenario, but even if that doesn’t come true, this is a very deep draft for defensive line talent.

A running back could also be targeted, but the Giants have done a good job of finding productive ones in the later rounds, such as Ahmad Bradshaw. They’re more likely to address the offensive line to help set up the running game.