NFL Preview: 10 Players Who Need to Produce This Season for the New York Giants

The Giants have faced headlines like Osi Umenyiora's deteriorating contract issue, first-round pick Prince Amukamara's broken foot and receiver Steve Smith joining the archrival Philadelphia Eagles. These stories have led the football world ending the Giants' season before it even began. But fear not, my fellow Giant fans, for there is some hope and talent to reinvigorate the team.

The Giants have been known to find quality players in free agency and the draft. This year that talent is needed more than ever. With question marks and vacancies in several positions, these players have the ability. They are desperately needed to perform and lead the Giants to the postseason after two years of disappointment and heartbreak.

Here are 10 players who are going to have to step up and fill in the holes this year that have caused the media and teams abroad to call Big Blue as just pretenders.

Travis Beckum

Tight End

Age: 24

With star tight end Kevin Boss signing with the Oakland Raiders in a four-year, $16 million contract, the Giants have had to scramble for much-needed depth and a replacement for the departed Giant. The Giants believed they had found an adequate replacement in former Arizona Cardinal blocking specialist Ben Patrick, but due to "personal matters," he announced his abrupt retirement.

This has sent the Giants reeling, and they have only been able to sign Bronco outcast Daniel Coats. With such a glaring need at a crucial position, the Giants have had to turn to the former Badger. Beckum did flash his potential last year, with a couple big gains and also had two of his 13 catches translate into touchdowns. He has been touted as a better route runner than Boss and definitely has greater athleticism, but his blocking ability needs much improvement.

Boss played a key role in the running game through his mauling blocks, and the Giants seem to favor tight ends who help the run. However, Beckum's ability to be a dominant slot receiver may press the Giants to utilize the likes of Bear Pascoe and Coats as blocking replacements.

Either way, Beckum has to become dominant in the red zone and improve his blocking if he is to fill the massive hole.

William Beatty

Left Tackle

Age: 26

The former second-round pick has been catapulted into the starting five after the Giants released veterans Shaun O'Hara, Rich Seubert and Shawn Andrews. This has forced David Diehl to move over to left guard, opening the blindside tackle position to the former Huskie.

Although he was considered a great talent in college and has been a solid swing tackle for the Giants, injuries and a lack of focus have hurt the youngster's chance in cracking the aging offensive line. The 6'6'', 307-pounder has tremendous athleticism for his size and has phenomenal footwork, which will be key when facing the likes of DeMarcus Ware and Trent Cole. His awareness is solid, and he can hold off defenders capably.

Possibly the most important position on the offensive line for the Giants, Beatty will have the spotlight on him as he fights to protect Eli Manning's blind side against premier ends and tries to mesh with a veteran offensive line.

Jerrel Jernigan

Wide Receiver/Kick Returner

Age: 22

Special teams last year was abysmal for the Giants—whether it was Darius Reynaud's minimal returns, Matt Dodge's horrible placement or the poor coverage. The Giants signed punter Steve Weatherford and several other special teamers to bolster the squad. However, the major acquisition has been the third-rounder from Troy.

Jernigan will be asked to immediately replace Reynaud as the Giants kick and punt returner, as his flashy speed and small size puts him in the mold of the likes of DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith. Jernigan is known for his tremendous separation skills, and his acceleration provides him with great playmaking ability. He runs balanced routes cleanly, making him a serious underneath threat, and his ability to catch the ball away from his body makes him a great talent.

Jernigan, however, has a very small frame at only 5'9'' and 190 pounds. It seems that his most likely contribution will be on special teams or perhaps as the slot receiver if he impresses throughout preseason.

Henry Hynoski

Fullback

Age: 22

After Madison Hedgecock was released after an injury-riddled season and the Giants missed out on Packer stalwart John Kuhn, a massive hole in the backfield emerged. To further add to the severity, Bear Pascoe, who was Hedgecock's replacement last year, now has to fulfill tight end duties after the departure of Kevin Boss.

The fullback role has thus fallen into the arms of the undrafted Panther Henry Hynoski. Although he was considered the best pure fullback in college, the dying nature of the position cost him the chance to be drafted. Hynoski is a very strong blocker with great versatility and the ability to be a facet in the passing game. He can halt the defensive flurry and pave way for the likes of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw to run through.

But he isn't the fastest person and isn't cut out for carries.

The job is clearly for Hynoski's taking, and as long as he doesn't faceplant, he should provide a bruising blocker for the attack.

Jason Pierre-Paul

Defensive End

Age: 22

The Giants front office has been in the spotlight after the falling out with stalwart end Osi Umenyiora. With Umenyiora threatening to hold out and not participating in team drills, the hole opposite Justin Tuck needs a capable replacement.

The 2010 first-rounder Jason Pierre-Paul caught on fire late last year and notched four sacks and 11 quarterback pressures in just six weeks of action. He has been touted as ready for a breakout season, and his attributes will certainly help him become a stud. He is a physical freak with an 81-inch wingspan and a forty time near 4.6 seconds. He has a large frame, is strong with his arms and can quickly move through offensive tackles.

As long as he remains focused and keeps his head straight, the Giants shouldn't be fully affected by Umenyiora's departure.

With Pierre-Paul again dominating in preseason, as shown by his two sacks and constant pressure against the Panthers, he should be a shoo-in for the job if Umenyiora's contract situation isn't resolved.

David Baas

Center

Age: 29

The Giants underwent a very difficult decision in the offseason after they released three-time Pro Bowler Shaun O'Hara, who had succumbed to injuries the past year. With Adam Koets also failing to impress while filling in, the Giants had no in-house option as a replacement. Thus the Giants resorted to free agency and signed the former 49er, David Baas.

He has a long way to go, as he has to become the anchor of the line and make sure the transition is quick and smooth. Baas has a wide and thick body and a good first punch and solid body control. He fits the Giants offensive line philosophy of a mauling and finesse blocker who can push through and make holes for the running game. He also has great intellect in terms of finishing his blocks and utilizes an effective technique. He has tremendous talent, but it will take time for the line to mesh with a new leader.

Baas has a lot of eyes watching him as he needs to make sure that the snap to Eli Manning is quick and efficient, and that he can effectively communicate to the rest of the line.

Clint Sintim

Linebacker

Age: 25

The Giants linebacker corps has always been unfairly scrutinized but has still produced solidly. Last year, the Giants ranked a respectable eighth against the run with Jonathan Goff manning the middle. But this year with the departure of veteran Keith Bulluck, there remains a vacancy opposite Michael Boley on the strong side.

This is where the third-year man out of Virginia, Clint Sintim, needs to step up and claim his job. Despite being scouted as a 3-4 backer, the Giants drafted him specifically for his aggressive tackling ability against the run and his great size and speed. He was also a solid pass rush option during college and may be asked to play the end blitz. However, Sintim is poor in pass coverage, something the Giants need desperately. He has failed to have an effect after missing last season with a torn ACL.

Sintim will face stiff competition from Mathias Kiwanuka, who has been getting first-team reps. But since Kiwianuka is a more adept pass rusher, the Giants will need Sintim to mature and perform in his role.

Linval Joseph

Defensive Tackle

Age: 22

With veteran Barry Cofield heading to the Redskins in free agency, the Giants lost one of their most reliable defensive players. As Chris Canty is the only starter, the Giants have plugged the second-year man out of East Carolina, Linval Joseph, into their starting lineup. He needs to make an immediate impact, take the reigns and stuff the middle.

Joseph is a massive specimen, with a a size of 6'4'' and 328 pounds, as well as 10-inch hands and 34.5-inch arms. Joseph has a very strong physique and has good quickness in between the offensive line. He also has the intangibles to be a strong tackler, making him a key man against the run. Joseph does need to work on his pass rushing, but his main role will be to cause mayhem at the line and plug the running game.

The Giants also drafted Marvin Austin in this year's draft, but Joseph has been getting regular first-team reps. He has a clear opportunity to become a long-term starter.

Tyler Sash

Strong Safety

Age: 23

The Giants secondary was hit by severe blows throughout the offseason. The front office decided not to re-sign third safety and mentor Deon Grant, and then the Giants were hit by the news of both first-rounder Prince Amukamara and nickelback Bruce Johnson being lost to lengthy injuries. Although the Giants do have a solid starting secondary, they severely lack depth.

Tyler Sash was a standout at Iowa and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He has good reaction at the snap and solid range with decent athleticism. He also has good vision in coverage—both zone and man—while also contributing in stopping the run. With his strong upper-body strength and good positioning, his best asset is his tackle.

Sash, however, overruns plays at times and is easily faked in play-action. He also doesn't have the greatest speed, as can be attested by the touchdown he allowed to Greg Olsen in preseason.

With defensive coordinator Perry Fewell preferring to use three safeties constantly, Sash has a chance to earn major playing time even as a rookie. However, this preseason will be key in finding out whether Sash has the ability to have an effect in the NFL.

Victor Cruz

Wide Receiver

Age: 24

After Steve Smith departed for the rival Philadelphia Eagles, there has been an open competition for the slot and fourth receiver roles. Ramses Barden has been left on the bench with chronic injuries, and rookie Jerrel Jernigan still needs to get adjusted to the system. This has allowed preseason darling Victor Cruz to compete for a spot for regular playing time.

Cruz led the NFL last year in preseason with 297 yards and four touchdowns, and became a headliner after thrashing the Jets on national television. However, he only played in three games at the start of the season and suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, which landed him on injured reserve. He played as the flanker in preseason but studied the slot while he was injured. Cruz displayed natural hands and excellent speed, while his footwork and route-running allowed him to break away from defenders. He also fights for the ball and could prove to be an adequate replacement for Smith as Manning's safety blanket.

Cruz has the preseason to impress the Giants brass, but will have to defeat Domenik Hixon, who has been the Giants' slot receiver in practice, and the likes of Devin Thomas and Michael Clayton. If Cruz could display the same playmaking ability he exhibited last year, the Giants could have possibly found another undrafted gem.