2011 NFL Draft: New York Giants analysis and prediction

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 06:12

WHERE THEY NEED HELP: Offensive line, linebacker

ANALYSIS: The Giants went through three centers last year in Shaun O’Hara, Rich Seubert and Adam Koets, and all finished the season injured. The Giants need help and depth along the offensive line. At linebacker, the Giants have gotten almost no impact from free agent acquisitions Michael Boley and Keith Bullock. The Giants linebackers are a far cry from Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks, Harry Carson, Brian Kelly, and Brad Van Pelt. There is a growing belief that the Giants may look at defensive tackle and select Corey Liuget of Illinois as security if Barry Cofield leaves as a free agent. However the needs on the offensive line and the linebacker position are glaring and have to be addressed more than the defensive line. If the Giants go after a linebacker with the 19th pick, the top one available at this point is Akeem Ayers of UCLA followed closely by Justin Houston of Georgia. If they want versatility and a top line center/guard, Mike Pouncey of Florida should be taken

WHAT THEY SHOULD DO: It’s been a while since the Giants have had an athletic linebacker. The Giants take Ayers, and look at lineman like Stefen Wisniewski of Penn State in the second round.

WHERE THEY ARE EXPECTED TO USE THE FIRST PICK: Akeem Ayers, linebacker UCLA

2011 NFL MOCK DRAFT WITH TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS

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2011 NFL DRAFT TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS