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Sent: 04-25-14

E-GIANTS
Dave Klein was the Giants' beat writer for The Star-Ledger from 1961 to 1995.
He is the author of 26 books and he is one of only three sportswriters to have covered all the Super Bowls. Dave has allowed TEAM GIANTS to reprint some of his articles.

DRAFT PREVIEW 2: GIANTS STILL HAVE HOLES,
ROLES TO FILL AND DEFENSIVE FUTURE TO CONSIDER

By Aaron Klein
The Giants spent a good part of their free agency money on improving the defense, filling holes, securing a few of their own free agents and creating competition where there had not been much.

Guess what? If general manager Jerry Reese thinks he's done with the defense, he's sorely mistaken.

Of course, Reese knows better and so do you. Forget that the team re-signed MIKE 'backer Jon Beason. Ignore the addition of new defensive backs, including cornerbacks Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond. Don't mention the signing of defensive end Robert Ayers or SAM 'backer Jameel McClain.

Plenty of work on the defense remains and, while we've all talked about tight end Eric Ebron -- the latest hot topic is that the Giants, and even Victor Cruz, want wide receiver Mike Adams in the first round -- there are defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs to be had in all rounds, maybe even the first.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Once Linval Joseph jumped ship and signed with Minnesota, it was determined by the entire universe that the Giants had to draft a defensive tackle in the first round. Firstly, they had a feeling that Joseph might not come back, thus the selection of Jonathan Hankins in the second round of the 2013 draft as well as the free agency signing of Cullen Jenkins last year. Secondly, choosing a defensive tackle in the first round, with all of the other more obvious holes, might be reckless unless that player is at least a five-year starter.

This is not the best year for defensive tackles and the Giants know it. However, there are some solid players projected for every round and there's no reason why the Giants wouldn't at least consider one of them.

However, Pitt's Aaron Donald appears to be the class of the group, but at 6-1 and 285 pounds is he a fit for the Giants' defensive front, regardless of his measurables? Ranked below him is Florida State's Timmy Jernigan (6-2, 300), who is more of a nose tackle than a 4-3 DT.

Much to the chagrin of many of you, the Giants may very well pass on both in the first round and might not touch a defensive tackle until the middle rounds, where value can be found.

Maybe they grab Notre Dame DT Stephon Tuitt (6-6, 304) in the second round, or Florida's Dominque Easley (6-2, 288), who has the chance to swing out to the end, or LSU's Ego Ferguson (6-3, 315) in the third.

Now, since Justin Tuck is gone, Jason Pierre-Paul is coming off several injuries and a bad year and Damontre Moore has yet to prove himself, signing Ayers was more about plugging a hole for the short-term and not solidifying the defensive end position for the long haul. Therefore, the team will almost certainly come out of the draft with at least one new defensive end.

No. The Giants will not get South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney. End that fantasy right quick. Do it right now!

A personal favorite is Stanford's Trent Murphy, a massive pass rusher at nearly 6-5, 250, who could play the strong side as a down lineman or as an outside linebacker. If the Giants want him, they'll likely have to use their second-round pick to get him. Louisville's Marcus Smith, who uses speed, athleticism and competitive spirit to overcome a size disadvantage against big NFL tackles, could be the steal of the second round at No. 12 if the Giants go that route. He's a pass rusher first and one of the negatives is that he's not stout against the run (as Tuck was) and has to rely on quickness to disrupt the play instead of power.

Flying under the media radar is Virginia Tech's James Gayle, though many teams have fallen for him. The tough senior moved from the weak side to the strong side last season and he struggled a bit. As a result, he's currently projected as a fourth-round pick. However, he has power and a natural ability to shed blockers, use his hands wisely, find the right angles and pursue from the left side as well as anyone in the draft. Some have likened him to Jared Allen, at least a poor-man's version of the former Vikings' star.

LINEBACKERS
If the first round falls just right, the Giants could be faced with a cornerback or safety who they cannot pass up. And just because Beason is back, do you really think that the team is set at MIKE for the next few seasons? Beason was excellent against the run and even better as leader, but he hasn't shown much in coverage and, unless defensive coordinator Perry Fewell changes his defense, they might need to think about the long term up the middle. A quick look at the depth chart shows that only Mark Herzlich, who had chances to win the job yet could not, offers experienced depth.

The Giants need to consider the future at outside and middle linebacker, though they haven't really shown much interest in recent years. Yes, the days of Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson and Carl Banks are long gone, but the position still exists and team must fill open spots on the depth chart.

As usual in the draft, teams will have to find someone who projects to the position since there are usually so few pure MIKEs to be found in the first three rounds. However, the Giants could find themselves in an uncomfortable position in the first round, since the best middle linebacker, Alabama's C.J. Mosely (6-2, 234), a player the Giants like very much, might not have value at No. 12 (as of now) but would likely be gone by the time the team's second-round pick comes up. What to do?

Still, the Giants could look at Wisconsin's Chris Borland (6-0, 248) in the third, or take a shot at UCLA's Jordan Zumalt (6-4, 235) or Cal's Khairi Fortt (6-2, 248), both of whom sport versatility with outside experience as well.

Outside linebacker, seemingly not as valued in the Giants' system as in others, should still be a priority. The best of the 2014 class is Buffalo's Kahlil Mack 6-3, 251). Projected as a Top 5 pick, there's only one way the Giants could get him if his rating is accurate – trade up for him, and they just won't do that.

One player who has been mocked into the No. 12 spot more than once is UCLA's Anthony Barr (6-5, 255), who could project to defensive end if he can improve his upper body strength. He's been sliding in many mock drafts and the Giants could let him pass. Instead, there will be a host of outside linebackers deep into Round 5 who could become regulars in the NFL.

Ohio State WIL Ryan Shazier (6-1, 237) could also present a problem for the Giants and he's certainly not a Top 12 player though will likely be snapped up late in the first or early in the second. The dynamic, powerful and quick player is on the radar of many teams and, if the Giants are tempted to trade out of the No. 12 spot, he could pop up on their board.

Two other players of note: WILL Howard Jones (6-3, 235), out of Division II Shepherd University, has drawn plenty of attention and many teams are keeping his name out of the chatterbox for fear of losing a sleeper. Equally, Arkansas SAM 'backer Chris Smith (6-1, 266) will have to be converted from DE to LB and, while that might actually help his draft stock, it also puts pressure on his future pro team.

CORNERBACKS
A solid group in this year's draft is that of cornerback. The Giants did bring in DRC, Thurmond and Zack Bowman to compete with Prince Amukamara and Jayron Hosley, but the future of the position must be considered. They probably know all they need to know about Hosley and there is a chance that the Giants may not enact the fifth-year option on Amukamara, which must be done by May 3.

Remember, maybe more than ever before, cornerbacks must be great tacklers in this NFL, what with the increased number of pass catching tight ends and monstrous wide receivers. No one knows how well a corner will tackle, without fear, until they do it in the pros.

The team has reportedly shown strong interest in Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard (5-11, 199) and he could be one of those first-round picks the Giants have been known to pull off, the ones no one sees coming, even though taking him at No. 12 would not be considered a reach at all.

For argument's sake, let's say they pass. There are several cornerbacks who should be available in the second, third and even fourth rounds who could become regular contributors, even starters. Two of those are Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller (6-0, 190) and Utah's Keith McGill (6-3, 211), each of whom could play at free safety, something they may need to consider now that the annual Will Hill Suspension Watch has begun again, maybe for the last time.

The Giants could also wait and find a cornerback like Duke's Ross Cockrell (6-0, 191; slight build but solid player on the rise), Rice's Phillip Gaines (6-0, 193), Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste (6-3, 218) or Florida's Jaylen Watkins (6-0, 194).

SAFETIES
Speaking of Hill, the Giants expected much from him and dealt with two suspensions in as many years to keep him. While he now faces a potential year-long suspension, the Giants might part ways with him even if he only picks up a six- or eight-game ban. However, without Hill, the team would have only Stevie Brown, coming off a major knee injury, tiny free agent Quinton Demps, brought in more for his skills as a return specialist, or second-year pro Cooper Taylor.

The free safety group is short but offers some talent. The Giants might find that the No. 12 pick is a little high for a few, though the temptation could be strong to select Alabama's Ha'sean "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix (6-1, 208) or Louisville's Calvin Pryor (5-11, 207). Dropping into the later rounds, an underrated player is Vanderbilt's Kenny Ladler (6-0, 207) who brings power and speed to the mix. He's got all the numbers, but needs to prove himself on the field. He could be a proverbial diamond in the rough.

The Giants might be wise to look for a mid-round strong safety, and one might be Minnesota's versatile and powerful Brock Vereen, who could rise into the third round. They might also like Washington's Deone Bucannon (6-1, 211), the top-rated strong safety, when second-round pick comes around.

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- Team Giants

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