After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year, GM Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin are sitting on some pretty warm seats. Despite two Super Bowl victories in their regime, both men need to win this year or possibly find themselves out of work in New York.
The Giants selected Odell Beckham Jr. with the 12th overall pick last night. He brings to the Giants munch needed talent at a very thin position. He brings good speed which is something the Giants lack behind Victor Cruz. Beckham caught 40+ passes in each of his three seasons at LSU. He also picked up over 1,100 yards last year alone. New York still has six picks over the next three days and plenty of holes to fill.
NY Giants remaining 2014 draft picks
Round 2 (43rd overall)
Round 3 (74th overall)
Round 4 (113th overall)
Round 5 (152nd overall)
Round 5 (174th overall)
Round 6 (187th overall)
Top Needs: Offensive Line
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Defensive Tackle
Running Back
Offensive Line Targets:
Jack Mewhort (Ohio State)- The top offensive linemen were taken in the first round. If the Giants use their top pick in the second round on much needed help up front then they could target Mewhort. He has long arms which would allow the Giants to rotate him into multiple positions on the line. He also played in 49 straight games at Ohio State which is durability the often injury-plagued Giants could use. Last year they used six different lineups at OL. New York seriously needs to cut down on the 39 sacks surrendered last year (the most since 2004)
Wider Receiver Targets:
Marquise Lee (USC)- Even with the selection of Beckham, the Giants need some more help at receiver. Marquise has a small frame for a pro receiver but does posses a great combination of speed and hands. He has repeatedly drawn comparisons to another Giants receiver, Victor Cruz. They may have to trade up a bit in the second round to get him.
Jarvis Landry (LSU)- If Lee is gone before the Giants pick then New York could take Beckham's running mate at LSU. Landry actually led the Tigers in catches and receiving scores the past two years. He has good hands which is a great quality for any Eli Manning target. He's also a tough and physical player which should make coach Coughlin smile.
Tight End Targets:
A.C. Leonard (Tennessee State)- With Eric Ebron off the board there is a steep drop at the tight end position. New York could wait until the sixth round and take Leonard. His biggest strength is his ability to break tackles. It allows him to pick up plenty of yards asset the catch. He fits a similar mold in that context to previous Giants tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Kevin Boss.
Defensive Tackle Targets:
Justin Ellis (Louisiana Tech)- Ellis is extremely quick of the ball which really allows him to blow by defensive lineman. He can get after the QB. He fits into defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's system in the sense that he was rotated in and out of the lineup in college. Fewell likes to rotate his tackles in his "NASCAR" package. Ellis could be had with New York's third or fourth round pick.
DeAndre Coleman (California)- Coleman could also be available to help shore up the Giants rush defense. It's an area they certainly need improvement in as the ranked only 14th in that arena last season. DeAndre played in every game over the last three seasons so his durability is a plus.
Running Back Targets:
Tre Mason (Auburn)- it's unlikely the Giants would use their pick in the second round on Mason but it's also not inconceivable for Jerry Reese to make a splash. He almost always takes the best available player and Mason may fit that bill. Mason put up 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons for the Tigers against tough SEC defenses. He can cut on a dime and hit the hole with speed. He's drawn quiet a few comparisons to Ray Rice during the draft process.
De'Anthony Thomas (Oregon)- Despite signing Rashad Jennings in the off season and bringing back Peyton Hillis the Giants should still look at a running back late in the draft. Neither Jennings nor Hillis are long term answers and it is still uncertain when (or if) David Wilson will return from neck surgery. Thomas could be the Giants future. He is easily the most explosive back coming out this year. He can not only run the ball but catch it out of the backfield too. He would be a steal in the fifth round.
New York is coming off of a disastrous 7-9 season in which they lost their first six games. With this draft being as deep as it is in pro-ready talent the Giants are one or two smart draft picks from recapturing a wide open NFC East title.