With the New York Giants finishing dead last in the NFL in overall defense, it is easy to say they should make that their main priority in the 2016 NFL Draft. However, they can’t neglect the offense where gaping holes also exist despite the mostly good year the offense had.
Despite using first-round picks on Justin Pugh and Ereck Flowers in two of the last three drafts, the Giants can’t afford to ignore the offensive line. We are, after all, talking about a team that started Marshall Newhouse and John Jerry. Newhouse started 14 games for the Giants, and while the offensive line as a whole did a fairly good job this season, Newhouse was not very good. Jerry started eight games.
The Giants didn’t want to have Newhouse and Jerry start so many games, Geoff Schwartz got injured and Will Beatty was out for the season before training camp even started. In what has become the norm around East Rutherford, the Giants’ plans were bedeviled by injuries.
They can’t afford to ignore the offensive line and should use a fairly high pick, though not a first-rounder, on an offensive lineman. We aren’t talking about a James Brewer-type project either. The Giants need to add another lineman who can step in right away. Jerry Reese did an excellent job recently finding Weston Richburg, Flowers and Pugh which has the makings of a very good offensive line moving forward. He needs to continue that trend.
Another area of need for the Giants’ offense is wide receiver. Yes, there is Odell Beckham Jr, but after him there is the free agent-to-be Rueben Randle, the injured Victor Cruz and Dwayne Harris. Not exactly a frightening corps. The Giants can use someone to replace Randle who can hopefully actually live up to the hype, something Randle failed to do in his years with the team. They need someone to either take the pressure off of Beckham or take advantage of the attention being paid to him. Right now that really doesn’t exist.
There is no doubt that a pass rusher, a linebacker and possibly a cornerback should be high on the Giants’ priority list. However, they can’t afford to ignore the offense. There are a lot of holes on this team, and with 20 free agents there could be a lot of job openings. One thing is certain: Reese can’t afford to reach this year. He needs to bring home the goods on every pick this offseason.
