New York – There is one question every football fan hears at least once every April. That question is, should their team draft for best available or immediate need? I hear this more then enough from tons of people. I have a philosophy to answer this very question. It is based on logic and an understanding of the New York Giants roster and because I am a fantasy football beast. Who should the Giants invest in the most? The offense or the defense? Well, they were both very good in 2010, regardless of missing the playoffs. My guess is that 3 out of 5 rounds will be drafted for defense within the first 5 rounds in 2011.

Which of the two is a better drafting style? I say drafting takes a little bit of both but only because it means drafting for need first in the early rounds. You do this by simply drafting the best available immediate need player. Save the drafting by “best available” for mid to late rounds. Again, this is only my philosophy on drafting in 2011, I’m not claiming to be Nostradamus or anything. I just think it makes a lot of sense to draft this way.

Round 1: I honestly think a team should draft for need in round 1 without question, there is no debating this topic with me. Take the best LB available if you need a LB. The reason I feel this way (particularly with being a Giants fan) is because let’s say a really good defensive end is on the boards at the 19th pick of round 1, he is the Giants highest rated player on their war room board. I would be shocked if the Giants took another DE to add to an extremely deep group of talented guys running the show in that department. Especially in this years draft, if there is a solid 10-year Center or aggressive DT available, take one of those guys please. Don’t just take the highest rated player. If this is what Jerry Reese does then I apologize and mean no disrespect but I think he knows what I mean. I also think he is smarter than that. The players surely do and so do the fans.

Round 2, 3 and 4: These rounds are a bit more tricky. Personally, I am sticking with drafting for need in rounds 1 and 2 (using the best available player at need of course). Rounds 3 and 4 could be a mix of both. I also think there could be some positions that should not be considered at all. Such as the defensive end position in 2011. There is just too much talent on the team to waste a high draft pick on a DE. With Osi, Tuck, Kiwanuka and JPP alone, the Giants pass rush is insane. There has to be one position on offense and defensive that should not waste anyones time. Still send the scouts out and gather all the intel but get some other positions in the mix come draft day.

Rounds 5, 6 and 7: These rounds should all follow the draft by “best available” philosophy to the letter. Considering the reality that 2 out of the 3, drafted in these three rounds, might not make the team. Always take a WR or CB in the 7th round and be sure he is an excellent special teamer. Stack that area for the next three years/drafts, this includes returners and punters now that it has become a problem area.

If someone came up to you and said “Hey, you can only draft 2 defensive positions within the first 5 rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft. What would those positions be?” For myself, I would have to say defensive tackle and linebacker. Canty and Bernard have a lot to prove in 2011. Cofield hopefully stays and gets paid. The LB group has a lot to prove in 2011 too. We need to see some guys step up including LB Clint Sintim who has the fans on his side. LB Phillip Dillard who looked promising last training camp before going down with an injury. LB Adrian Tracy is another young man who suffered an injury but needs to show up in 2011. What about bringing back DT Jay Alford to help out if he is available?

For defense, I’m most confident in our defensive ends followed by our safety group. The cornerbacks come in third on that list to round out my top three. On offense, I am most confident in the QB followed by the wide receivers. The running backs come in third on my top three list. I’m most concerned with the offensive line followed by the tight end group on offense. Hopefully, FB Madison Hedgecock returns to full strength or I could see FB becoming a problem too.

What do you prefer when it comes to drafting, best available or immediate need?

RD – nygreporter.com

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