New York Giants 2007 Draft Preview

By Tony Moss Apr 4, 2007, 15:05 GMT

- The Giants have two gaping holes to fill. One is at left tackle, where Luke Petitgout was released (and subsequently became a Buccaneer), and Bob Whitfield retired. Trouble is, the only two tackles with bona fide first-round talent are Joe Thomas (Wisconsin) and Levi Brown (Penn State), both of whom will likely go in the Top 10. Unless the G-Men trade up, drafting an LT will be a reach. It looks a lot like left guard David Diehl will be moving over to protect Eli Manning in 2007. The other problem is in the backfield, where the Giants have no one to replace Tiki Barber's production in the receiving game. Barber averaged 64 catches a year over the final eight seasons of his career, while probable 2007 starter Brandon Jacobs has a grand total of 11 receptions in two NFL seasons, and recent acquisition Reuben Droughns is not known for his pass-catching skills. Other areas that should concern Giants fans are wideout, where the team lacks depth; linebacker, where Antonio Pierce is the only player that has been even remotely consistent over the past two years; and the secondary, where the team has had problems in coverage.

2006 Record: 8-8

First Pick: No. 20

Number of Selections: 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2006 - Mathias Kiwanuka (DE, Boston College); 2005 - none; 2004 - Eli Manning (QB, Ole Miss)*; 2003 - William Joseph (DT, Miami); 2002 - Jeremy Shockey (TE, Miami); 2001 - Will Allen (CB, Syracuse); 2000 - Ron Dayne (RB, Wisconsin); 1999 - Luke Petitgout (OT, Notre Dame); 1998 - Shaun Williams (S, UCLA); 1997 - Ike Hilliard (WR, Florida); 1996 - Cedric Jones (DE, Oklahoma); 1995 - Tyrone Wheatley (RB, Michigan); 1994 - Thomas Lewis (WR, Indiana); 1993 - none; 1992 - Derek Brown (TE, Notre Dame); 1991 - Jarrod Bunch (RB, Michigan); 1990 - Rodney Hampton (RB, Georgia).

*Originally drafted by San Diego, then traded to Giants on draft day in exchange for New York first-round pick Philip Rivers

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