2007 NFL Draft News - Team Needs: New York Giants

Team Needs: New York Giants

By Stephen Zorio | Category: 2007 NFL Draft News
Originally Posted: 2007-03-21

Between now and the 2007 NFL Draft, THN will be taking a look at all of the NFL teams’ off-season needs. Up next is the team with the twentieth overall pick in the draft, the New York Giants.

2006 Results: 8-8
2007 Projected Cap Status: $93,300,000 or $15,700,000 under the cap

2006 Season Recap:
It was a classic tale of two halves for the 2006 New York Giants. The team started off the season strong, winning six of its first eight contests including a five-game winning streak. However, starting with a 38-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, the team lost the next three consecutive games and posted a mirror record of the first half, barely making the playoffs. The team lost its first-round match up at Philadelphia.

Quarterback Eli Manning did not make a great deal of progress, virtually matching his sophomore effort. He threw 25 touchdowns, was picked off 18 times and posted a QB rating of 77, less than two points above the previous season. The Giants racked up yards behind another stellar effort from the now retired Tiki Barber who rushed for 1,662 yards and averaged 5.1 per carry. Despite those lofty numbers, Barber found the end zone only five times.

The team struggled on the defensive side of the ball, finishing 24th overall (28th passing, 14th rushing). The team was unable to consistently put pressure on the quarterback and the secondary was burned all season. The team has since cut starting linebackers Carlos Emmons and Lavar Arrington as well as tackle Luke Petitgout and kick returner Chad Morton.

Team Needs:

1. Running back - The Giants have seemingly expressed an interest in every free agent running back available and are said to be exploring all possible trading scenarios, including one involving the Buffalo Bills Willis McGahee. The team clearly is not comfortable going into next season without someone to split carries with Brandon Jacobs.

2. Cornerback - Opposing teams threw for nearly 230 yards per game last season against the Giants. Only two teams were thrown against more often (Minnesota and Chicago) and they completed nearly 59% of those attempts. R.W. McQuarters had a solid season but the team needs another viable starter and depth.

3. Wide Receiver - The team's current corps is actually fairly solid but the offense employed by head coach Tom Coughlin requires a reliable slot receiver, something the Giants do not have.

2007 Draft Picks:
1st Round -- 20th Overall
2nd Round -- 51st Overall
3rd Round -- 81st Overall
4th Round -- 112th Overall
5th Round -- 143rd Overall
6th Round -- 174th Overall
7th Round -- 205th Overall

Free agency status:

UFA:
LB Chris Claiborne
OG David Diehl
P Jeff Feagles
PK Jay Feely
FB Jim Finn
OG Lewis Kelly
LS Ryan Kuehl
C Shaun O'Hara
OG Grey Ruegamer
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
LB Brandon Short
CB Frank Walker

RFA:
LB Reggie Torbor
RB Derrick Ward
S Gibril Wilson

ERFA:
DE Adrian Awasom
LB Chase Blackburn
LB Tyson Smith

Check out more at THN's exclusive 2007 NFL Draft section.

This article was released on 2007-03-21.

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