Scoreboards

• The departure of All-Pro Plaxico Burress has made wide receiver a top priority for the New York giants' draft this year
• Other areas of need for the Giants include outside linebacker and running back
• The Giants have two second-round picks to go with the 29th pick in the first round

A Large Hole to Fill

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress was one of the top performers on the Giants during their championship season of 2007–2008. Losing him makes it seem obvious that the Giants will select a receiver with their first-round pick. This year’s class of wideouts is rated highly. If Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina is still available when the Giants pick 29th, it would be no surprise if they take him. Nicks has great hands, but his conditioning has been questioned. Otherwise, Kenny Britt of Rutgers seems a good possibility; he is said to have lots of upside. And there is always a possibility that the Giants will trade some of their picks for an established receiver.

But some observers aren’t so sure the Giants will choose a receiver with their first pick. They point to current starter Domenik Hixon’s having made steady progress, as well as the likelihood that talented receivers will still be available in the second round, when the Giants have two picks. One argument is that the Giants have a strong enough team that they can take the best player available with at least one of their early picks.

Other Possibilities

Aside from receiver, other positions that need to be addressed are outside linebacker, running back, tight end, and defensive backfield. Possibilities for outside linebacker in the first round are Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis and Northern Illinois’s Larry English. Laurinaitis has great instincts and tackling ability, while English is a potent pass rusher. The departure of Derrick Ward leaves oft-injured Brendan Jacobs as the starting tailback. Though Ahmad Bradshaw is available as a backup, the Giants may take a running back if they think they are getting good value. LeSean McCoy of Pittsburgh may be one such back; he showed tremendous quickness off the ball during his college career.

Tight end is not a strong position on this team, and so New York might be tempted to take a top prospect like Jared Cook of South Carolina or James Casey of Rice with one of its second-round picks. Incumbent TE Kevin Boss have left some fans longing for the days of Jeremy Shockey. As far as defensive backs go, Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith looks to be available in the second round, as do all of the top safeties.

Giants fans need not be too anxious about their team’s draft-day decisions, however. General manager Jerry Reese has had two of the best first seasons of any GM in the history of the game. With king-of-football-strategies Reese at the controls, and with a number of early-round picks for him to play with, the Giants seem assured of coming up with some gems to strengthen their already formidable team.