After analyzing the draft needs of all 32 teams, PFT will review how well each team addressed those needs. Up next: The New York Giants.
What they needed: Defensive end, cornerback, linebacker, offensive line, running back.
Who they got:
Round 1: Justin Pugh, OL, Syracuse
Round 2: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State.
Round 3: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M.
Round 4: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse.
Round 5: Cooper Taylor, S, Richmond.
Round 7: Eric Herman, OG, Ohio.
Round 7: Michael Cox, RB, Massachusetts.
Where they hit: The versatile Pugh adds some youth to a line where age is becoming a concern. He was a sensible pick for the Giants. Moore,who is just 20 years old, adds some needed depth at end, and he certainly has room to grow behind Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka. Hankins, a massive run-stuffer, bolsters the depth inside. Nassib will compete with David Carr to be Eli Manning’s backup, and the rookie from Syracuse seems likely to settle into the role no later than 2014 with Carr under contract for just one more season.
Where they missed: The Giants did not add a single cornerback or linebacker, which was something of an upset. However, the Giants stuck to a blueprint that has worked when they added two defensive linemen (Hankins, Moore) in the first half of the draft. The Giants are going to do whatever it takes to build a strong front four, and when the Giants get top-notch play out of their line, the back seven benefits. Still, the Giants could stand to bolster their their LB and CB depth. The good news? There are still serviceable veteran linebackers to be had in free agency if New York wants to go that route.
Impact rookies: The Giants will play at Pugh at right tackle, where he will push veteran David Diehl. The club is also confident he can play multiple positions. At worst, he’s the Giants’ sixth lineman as a rookie. someone whom they likely can plug at tackle or guard at a moment’s notice. The Giants are not concerned about Pugh’s relatively short arms for the tackle position, general manager Jerry Reese said during the draft.
Also, Hankins and Moore could contribute in the Giants’ D-line rotation right off the bat.
Long-term prospects: This could be a draft class that pays dividends down the road if the young Pugh, Hankins and Moore all continue to develop and Nassib shows potential as Manning’s backup. Manning is 32 and has not missed a start since entering the lineup in 2004, and it’s possible Nassib is never a factor for the Giants. However, if he can show something in preseason games, he could have trade value.
The Giants have the core needed to contend now, and several members of this draft could be complementary contributors toward those efforts in 2013. New York did well to strengthen some areas in a draft that wasn’t regarded as especially strong.