2011 NFL Draft Preview: New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

#19 New York Giants

What They Need: When the Giants dethroned the undefeated Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl, they did so on the strength of tenacious offensive and defensive lines.  Many of the same players remain, but those units haven’t been as good the past couple of years.  I don’t know that they necessarily need to address those positions with draft choices, but they need to re-emphasize the importance of a punishing rushing attack and a pressure cooker pass rush.  Eli Manning is not great, but he’s good and in his prime, so there’s no need to look to the future at quarterback.  Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, and Mario Manningham represent a really talented young receiving corps, so I can’t envision the Giants looking to add a player to that already stacked group either.  The running back position is also in good hands with Ahmad Bradshaw, who had a true breakout year last season, and Brandon Jacobs, who averaged a bruising 5.6 yards per carry.  As mentioned, the offensive line has lacked a certain punch recently, and maybe that’s because some key guys are getting older.  Center Shaun O’Hara is still a good player, but he’s 33.  Guard Rich Seubert is 32, and the tackle position probably could use an upgrade between David Diehl, Will Beatty, and injury prone Kareem McKenzie.  Switching to the defensive side of the ball, I still like the personnel they have up front.  Justin Tuck is a freak combination of size, strength, and agility.  Mathias Kiwanuka has pass rush ability but has had issues with injuries.  If last year’s top pick Jason Pierre-Paul can learn the mental aspect of the game, there’ll be no stopping him.  He’s as dynamic as they come in terms of speed off the edge.  Chris Canty and Barry Cofield are solid players inside, but perhaps New York could look at the defensive tackle spot for an upgrade.  The linebackers are a pedestrian group, but given the Giants’ 4-3 system and the dearth of 4-3 linebackers in this year’s draft, they won’t go in that direction here.  Corey Webster and Aaron Ross form a good but not great corner duo.  Kenny Phillips has gobs of talent at safety and his partner in crime Antrel Rolle has a nose for the football.

Who They Might Pick: I see this pick being either an offensive or defensive tackle, maybe a cornerback.  Tyron Smith the offensive tackle from USC might still be on the board, but he’s more of a finesse pass blocker, and the Giants really like to establish their running game.  Boston College’s Anthony Costanzo is a bit like Smith in that he’s more equipped to pass block.  I see a guy like Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi as a nice fit for New York’s offensive line.  Mammoth Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod could be a possibility too as he has the size to punish people in the run game, but he’s not as skilled as Carimi.  If they look at defensive tackle they could eye Phil Taylor (Baylor), Corey Liuget (Illinois), Stephen Paea (Oregon State), or Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple).  The Giants like to rotate bodies a lot on the defensive front and even interchange defensive ends and defensive tackles, so they could look to add a guy that can play anywhere on the line.  Adrian Clayborn from Iowa, JJ Watt from Wisconsin, or Cameron Jordan from Cal would all be nice, inside-outside linemen.  The usual suspects of Jimmy Smith from Colorado, Aaron Williams from Texas, and maybe Davon House from New Mexico State could be cornerback possibilities.

My Advice: This team isn’t far away from being really good.  The Cowboys and Eagles are both teams that want to throw the ball, and adding to the defensive line is a good way to counteract those teams.  I think the offense is fine, and addressing the offensive line later on in the draft is a sound strategy.  With this pick, the Giants should nab JJ Watt.  He’s 6’5”, 290 pounds, and athletic for his size.  He ran a 4.8 40.  Also incredibly strong (34 reps of 225 pounds), Watt can still fill out his long frame.  Usually guys that have great measureables lack a great motor or intensity, but that’s actually Watt’s biggest strength.  The guy never quits on a play; he has tremendous instincts; and coming from the Big Ten, he’s used to battling NFL-sized offensive linemen.  He will play inside and out, rush the passer, and attack the run.

With the nineteenth selection, the New York Giants pick JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin.

#20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What They Need: I love everything about this young team.  Their coach Raheem Morris has a tremendous energy about him and he has his team ready to play every time they hit the field.  On offense I don’t think many additions are needed, just time for all the young talent to meld together.  Josh Freeman is going to be a star at quarterback and he’s just 23.  Last year’s rookie sensation LeGarette Blount locks down the running situation, and Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn are big-time talents both entering their second season as wideouts.  Kellen Winslow is still just 27 years old and is a major talent at tight end.  Jeff Faine, Davin Joseph, Donald Penn, and Jeremy Trueblood represent four very good starters along the offensive line, and I would imagine they believe that fifth starter can be found in a later round or is already on the roster.  Defensively this team has a lot to like as well.  Gerald McCoy is going to be a stud at defensive tackle, and right next to him is last year’s second round pick Brian Price.  Barrett Ruud is a tackling machine at middle linebacker, though he could use some help outside.  Aqib Talib is a tremendous young corner that can’t seem to stay out of trouble off the field.  Another cornerback could help, and I think the safety position is relatively set.

Who They Might Pick: I think this pick almost definitely comes on the defensive side of the ball, which means either a corner or a defensive end.  The Bucs run a 4-3, and I think adding a dynamic pass rusher to their nice young defensive tackle duo could make this a fearsome, young defense.  If Cameron Jordan is available he would be a steal; he’s a projected top-15 talent.  Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue would also be a really good pick.  He’s more of a pure speed rusher than Jordan, albeit not quite the same all-around player.  Cameron Heyward from Ohio State is a thought as well, though he’s more a tweener between end and tackle.  Any cornerback they could get here, unless Jimmy Smith falls to this spot, would be a reach.

My Advice: Take Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue.  The guy ran a 4.6 40 and pushed out 31 reps of 225 pounds.  He’s known as an effort player, but with those Combine numbers he clearly has the skills to match the motor.  Jordan is less of a pure pass rusher than Kerrigan, who compiled a career total of 33 sacks at Purdue with 12 and 13 in the last two years respectively.  At 6’4” 270 he has the prototype size for a 4-3 end, and he has the strength to hold up against the run as well.

For the twentieth pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue.

--from Adam

(first image from ftrp.wordpress.com, second from rivals.yahoo.com)