Now that the major free agent signings have been finalized, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team heading into the 2015 NFL Draft. Today, the New York Giants are the focus. The Giants have the 9th pick in the draft and general manager Jerry Reese will look to build off the success of the 2014 class.
New York Giants 2015 NFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Safety
So far, the Giants have completely neglected the safety position in free agency. Cooper Taylor and Nat Berhe remain the only safeties on the roster. The Giants decided to let Antrel Rolle leave in free agency and Stevie Brown remains unsigned.
The Giants must believe that Nat Berhe is ready to start; otherwise they would have been forced to overpay a free agent. Stevie Brown will likely be re-signed to a one-year contract to start next to Berhe, but for some reason the Giants haven’t finalized that deal yet. The draft class is weak at safety, but the Giants will still target one in the middle rounds to provide depth or potentially takeover as a starter if one of the starters struggles. Just two years ago, the Giants had a Pro Bowler in Antrel Rolle, an emerging star in Will Hill, and a healthy Stevie Brown who had 8 interceptions in one season. This year, both starting positions are occupied by question marks.
Offensive Line
The Giants added offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse and center Brett Jones, plus they re-signed guard John Jerry, so they will have decent depth on the line if they can add one more starter in the draft. Will Beatty, Weston Richburg, Geoff Schwartz, and Justin Pugh are basically guaranteed starting positions, so drafting one more starter in the first or second round will complete a solid offensive line. Justin Pugh’s ability to play guard or right tackle allows the Giants to select the top offensive lineman at either position in the draft.
Brandon Scherff is a popular selection in the first round, but if a playmaking wide receiver or pass rusher is available, the Giants will probably opt to solidify the line in the second round. Two intriguing options in the second round are Duke guard Laken Tomlinson and Oregon right tackle Jake Fisher. Either way, an offensive lineman will almost definitely be selected in the first two rounds, so the unit should be strong in 2015.
Defensive End
The Giants placed the franchise tag on Jason Pierre-Paul to start on one side of the defensive line, but the other starting defensive end position is wide open. Robert Ayers and Damontre Moore are the front-runners to start and they will likely split time during the season. George Selvie was also signed for depth while Kerry Wynn showed some promise at the end of last season.
Take a look at the 2007 and 2011 depth charts for the Giants. In 2007, the Giants had Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck. In 2011, the Giants had Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Osi Umenyiora. The Giants won both of those Super Bowls because they had extremely dangerous pass rushers that constantly wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks. While Robert Ayers and Damontre Moore are solid pass rushers, the Giants would be much better off if they came off the bench. If Vic Beasley is available in the first round or if Nate Orchard is available in the second round, the Giants would be wise to invest in their pass rush again.
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