The NFL draft fosters a unique sense of rebirth in professional football. All 32 teams, from the champion Baltimore Ravens to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, have a shot at completely changing their cultures with one shiny new prospect.
The Giants could use that shiny new prospect in a few places. While it's safe to say New York won't be snagging a quarterback or a wideout in the first round of the draft, there are a few weak spots that could be satisfied by general manager Jerry Reese in two weekends.
Running through its depth chart, New York's first pressing position comes at right tackle. Manned by the maligned David Diehl, the Giants could look to shore up their edge protection in the first round.
A mammoth 6'6", 335-pound run blocker, Fluker's fresh off a national title with 'Bama and touts a ridiculous level of physicality on the right side. Known for bowling over potential tacklers up front, Fluker's projected to go somewhere around the middle of the first round. If he falls to the Giants at No. 19, he could be a perfect fit.
Third-year reserve James Brewer waits in the wings, but Fluker would be an instant impact for the G-Men. Scouts don't like his footwork in pass blocking, but the Giants would still likely love to have him.
Umenyiora's absence will force a tough adjustment for defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, while veteran end Justin Tuck has been rapidly declining over the past two seasons. Werner would galvanize the New York pass rush and is projected to fall right around New York's No. 19 spot.
Praised for shedding blocks easily and consistently sniffing out ball carriers, Werner enjoys explosive closing speed that would make him a pro-level playmaker with some development. Raised in Germany, Werner's lack of agility would be compensated by New York's two starting ends.
Projected as a strong-side linebacker, Ogletree's a freakish athlete who's projected to fall right around where the Giants sit in the first round.
While he's been criticized for overrunning assignments and dealing with second-level blocks, the Georgia product's speed and explosiveness easily top that of Keith Rivers and Jacquian Williams, New York's projected outside 'backers for 2013.
Ogletree might be overlooked for a DUI charge and other off-field issues. If the Giants roll the dice, he'd be a smart addition for a team that desperately lacks a reliable strong- and weak-side linebacker.
Amid the flurry of media and speculation surrounding T'eo's post-Notre Dame life hides a fundamentally sound and extremely passionate linebacker.
T'eo's speed could be problematic and the media circus that comes with him isn't exactly favorable, but the Hawaii native would give the Giants a big boost at middle linebacker. The position's currently manned by Dan Connor, and T'eo's upside makes him worth the risk.
Reports say he's already met with the team. T'eo has natural football smarts and a knack for the blitz, both prerequisites for Fewell's system. His abilities in pass coverage would help ameliorate New York's recent woes against tight ends.
Mississippi State's Johnthan Banks and FSU's Xavier Rhodes will be mentioned around the Giants' No. 19 pick, but red-hot Desmond Trufant is the best fit here. After a sterling Senior Bowl and a strong combine outing, Trufant has shot up draft boards.
The Giants need help at corner after slumping to 28th in the league in total pass defense. With a 40-yard dash clocked in at 4.38 seconds (.01 seconds off top-10 prospect Dee Milliner), Trufant would immediately vie for reps in the secondary.
Stevie Brown mans the strong safety spot for the Giants. Despite lapses in big-play coverage, Brown's eight interceptions last year has certainly won the organization over. At free safety, however, Antrel Rolle continues to struggle in center field and could stand to be replaced down the road.
Texas' Kenny Vaccaro makes sense. The top-rated safety prospect by Walter Football, Vaccaro changes directions effortlessly and has the build and coverage abilities to play in the nickel.
His senior season fell short of the Thorpe Award expectations he set for himself, but Vaccaro is strong in man coverage and would be a good addition for a secondary still littered with question marks.
Via: [Live Football] West Ham United - Manchester United - English Premier League
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