NEW YORK – Let the debates begin! Giants fans from all over the country are weighing in on what they feel are the biggest areas of need for the team. Since writing my own needs assessment last week, I have been getting messages from our readers about the 2011 NFL Draft. There is a tremendous amount of interest and remember the G-Men have the 19th overall pick in round one.
You already know that I am torn between drafting a linebacker or offensive lineman (Center) with the first round pick. I’ve had members suggest getting a running back or a tight end in the first round. Surprisingly, the running back position has come up the most besides the linebacker slot. I do not agree with using a first round pick on either a running back or a tight end but I certainly think they should be drafted at some point in the middle to late rounds. I still believe in the Bradshaw/Jacobs tandem but have less confidence in the tight end group.
I had left off the tight end position from my initial draft assessment because of the depth with Boss, Beckum and Pascoe but after taking a second look, it might not be a bad idea to grab another. The current linebackers did a great job in 2010 but they were certainly overshadowed by the performance of the defensive line and the defensive backs. Giants fans long for the old days when opposing teams feared the Big Blue linebackers. New York has always been considered a defensive team first and an offensive team second. New Yorkers love a strong defense and DC Perry Fewell has brought them back into the elite NFL rankings. GM Jerry Reese will surely give Fewell a couple of new toys to play with on an already tough defense.
The player research is in full throttle and Giants fans are throwing out prospect names left and right. I would love to hear some of your thoughts on this subject, do not be shy about leaving a comment in the section below. You do not need to be a nygreporter member to leave a comment. I would particularly like to hear some names of sleeper players that I am unaware of. What are your thoughts and what position do you think the Giants will draft in round one?
You can check out my draft by position order here in a previous article – 2011 NFL Draft: New York Giants Early Bird Edition
nygreporter.com 
This was my mock that I posted on Twitter recently:
#NYG Round 6, FB Stanley Havili, #USC, Round 7, Mario Fannin, RB, #Auburn
Round 4, LB Mark Herzlich, #BostonCollege, Rd 5, OG/OT Will Rackley #Lehigh
#NYG Mock #Draft: Rd 1, Stephen Paea, DT, #OklahomaState, Rd 2, Casey Matthews, LB, #Oregon, Rd 3, Tim Barnes, C #Missouri
Very interesting that you went with the DT in round one. What made you come to that conclusion? And I thought you wanted to grab a tight end in the early rounds? Good stuff, I will have to check out the players you listed.
I know what im about to say is going to make you cringe. I think Cofield walks. Someone will pay him more than The Giants can.
Say hypothetically he does walk.
That leaves us with what Bernard Joseph and Canty at DT?
Id basically count Bernard right out of there. Hes doe nothing in 2 years.
So u have 2 DTs. Thats a need, and Reese likes his value ALWAYS. Hes a big Best player available guy. Draft dictates to him.
At least 2 of the players in the ext 2 rounds can start in the next 2 years if not next year. All the more reason to go BPA in round 1.
I hope you’re wrong about Cofield leaving. I would keep Barry Cofield over Rocky Bernard or Chris Canty. But you’re right about the team needing a DT because I think they will not have the current four on the roster. Coach Fewell uses that nascar defense quite often and might have other ideas about getting JPP in the DT spot. The guy is bulking up like a beast and could easily play at 295 and keep his speed. He gained 15 pounds by the time the first game was played at 285.
I am prepared to accept Cofield leaving. I do not see him as very easily retain able.
Running back may be a bigger need than most are admitting. Bradshaw’s gonna be tough to keep. Has had character issues, fumbling, ankles injuries… And we cant pay 2 backs starters money.
That being said, by 4th round, we may have taken a back.
I agree with grabbing a running back within 4 rounds and had that listed on my original mock draft by position.
Casey Matthews would be a huge pick up. Mock drafts every where are projecting giants to go for a lineman in the 1st round and the browns to go for matthews in the early 2nd round. I believe we have the necessary pieces to trade down for that pick. We have goff, who would fit in great with their style of defense. Casey is an excellent linebacker. watching his games, especially the championship game, he has fantastic awareness and moves around just as his older brother does. Casey can turn out to be a huge star and he would fit in perfectly.
Hello Tyler, taking a linebacker with our first pick wouldn’t surprise me at all. Like I said, I think it will be between a LB or OL so I’m right there with you.
I checked out the early rankings at CBS Sports who have Matthews ranked the 7th best ILB and 161st overall player in the draft. They projected him to go in the 5th round when I looked him up. Maybe it was just an early ranking they did that needs to be updated but I’m glad you put this guy on my radar. I like how his older brother plays too!
I just saw another website that projects him to be selected by the browns in the 3rd round instead of the 2nd which could give us an even better chance to get Matthews. http://walterfootball.com/draft2011_3.php now matthews is not a great at pass coverage, http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=2364462 but he fits in with our blitz defense. he is young and can easily fix that weakness. if, and when, he does fix it, watch out!
I would love to have this kid on our team. Remember, we still have LB Phillip Dillard that we drafted last year at the MLB spot too. He got injured and missed a lot of the 2010 season. If Matthews plays half as good as his brother, he would still be a stud. Nice suggestion!
doesnt look like cofield is leaving, http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/3855/cofield-and-tuck-ecstatic-with-fewells-return
Hey I hope that Barry Cofield doesn’t leave and plays his whole career with the Giants. I love that guy and he has become one of my favorite players. He is solid at the DT spot! I saw that article too and I appreciate you leaving the link for us here. Still, the rumors say that someone will have to go this offseason, I hope that Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin pick the right guy to send packing.
bring back plex,,,
A lot of Giants fans have been talking about bringing back Plaxico Burress lately. You are not alone in your thoughts buddy, it seems like it has been amped up lately and I’m sure the G-Men will look into it.
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