2008 New York Giants NFL Draft Needs


June 9, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The health of the franchise is in solid shape heading into GM Jerry Reese’s second offseason. Most of their key veterans are signed to long-term contracts following their Super Bowl XLII victory. Reese is known for his ability to drop big contracts and sign much cheaper talent to his roster. Larry Cook gives you his 2008 New York Giants NFL Draft predictions as well as their Draft needs.

2008 New York Giants NFL Draft Needs:

1.) Cornerback

Corner was definitely a position of weakness in New York despite their Super Bowl victory. Corey Webster will never be consistent and Kevin Dockery played more than he should have due to injuries. Aaron Ross was a good draft pick and should be a quality starter. Sam Madison is not longer a strong corner and his days in a Giants uniform may be over. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves to bring pressure while playing man-to-man coverage, so finding a man-cover corner is a must. The Giants only had 8 interceptions by their corners last year.

2.) Safety

James Butler, Michael Johnson and Craig Dahl can’t get it done as the Giants starting safeties heading into this season. Bibril Wilson has been good, but he’s a free-agent-to-be following the end of the upcoming campaign. Butler and Johnson can hit, but they Giants need more. They haven’t had a game-changing safety in year as their last Pro Bowler in this position was Terry Kinard back in 1988.

3.) Wide Receiver

Plaxico Burress had a brilliant season despite playing most of it on a bum ankle. Amani Toomer is past his prime and into the twilight of his career. The Giants would love if Steve Smith or Sinorice Moss would step up, but Moss really hasn’t showed any consistency at all. Smith had a strong finish to give the team hope. What the Giants need is a deep threat to spread the field. Burress can go up and get the deep ball, but he lacks the speed that they are looking for. Burress is better suited catching balls over the middle and on the outside. A speedster would only make this offense that much more explosive.

4.) Quarterback

Eli Manning’s two backups in Anthony Wright and Jared Lorenzen are not pro quarterbacks. Each struggled with accuracy and taking sacks in their limited playing time in the preseason. Getting a better backup will be on Reese’s list of things to do, even if Manning has proven to be durable.

5.) Linebacker

There has been talk of moving dynamic pass rusher Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. The Giants had a solid line backing corps last year, but if he moves they will be in desperate need of an outside backer. WLB Kawika Mitchell is a free agent and likely out the door before the season starts this year. This could be a much bigger need for the Giants if Kiwanuka moves to DE and Mitchell is gone.

2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:

Kevin Gilbride has a philosophy that couples the inside passing game with the deep ball. It relies on big, athletic blockers on the line along with size and physicality at receiver. The tight ends and running backs have to be extra tough to take on blitzers to give Manning time in the pocket. WR Mario Manningham of Michigan, WR Dexter Jackson of App. State and WR Kenneth Moore are the prototypical types that the Giants may be looking at on Draft Day. RB Chauncey Washington of USC, OG Michael Fladell of Rutgers and QB Josh Johnson of San Diego are a few other players that could fit the Giants system.

2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:

Steve Spagnuolo’s defense uses creative blitzing combined with packages designed to get the Giants best pass rusher on the field at once. The DB’s must be able to get physical with receivers at the line and handle man coverage. CB Patrick Lee of Auburn, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of Tenn. State, SS Tyrell Johnson of Ark. State, SS Marcus Griffin of Texas and CB Michael Grant of Arkansas are 5 names you might be hearing the Giants call on Draft Day to sure up their secondary. WLB Tavares Gooden of Miami would add some depth to the Giants roster at linebacker.

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