The New York Giants are not among the NFL's elite at the moment. They went just 6-10 last season and missed out on the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The problem? A lack of quality players from recent drafts.
"I think that one of the things that really hurt us this year, in addition to the injuries...is we obviously have a couple draft classes here that have been largely unproductive for us," co-owner John Mara said. And he's right. The 2011 and 2012 draft classes have not exactly lit the league on fire. The first-rounders from both drafts have either been inconsistent (Prince Amukamara) or too injury-prone (David Wilson, now retired).
While the G-Men have gotten better results from the past two drafts, the previous misses were enough to deprive the team of talent and depth.
"We have had two very strong drafts in a row," Mara said. "We need to have another one."
The Giants know this year's draft is important. As such, there are a few players that stand out as potential selections in the first-round.
Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
New York needs help along the offensive line. The team ranked just 23rd in rushing yards per game (100.2) and allowed 30 sacks and 73 total QB hits in 2014. The Giants have recently invested early round picks into the line (Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg) and they may continue that trend this year.
"Their line needs to find a stud player," wrote Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "Most scouts believe the most NFL-ready of the bunch is Brandon Scherff of Iowa. He played left tackle as a senior, but also has played guard, possessing the versatility the Giants want in their linemen."
Landon Collins, S, Alabama -- Shaq Thompson, S, Washington
The NFL is a passing league, which means ranking in the bottom half in pass defense is not an ideal scenario. The Giants have to improve the back end of its defense. In fact, they just need to find people to play back there. Antrel Rolle, Stevie Brown and Quintin Demps are all set to become unrestricted free agents next month.
"Wonder what [assistant coach in charge of safeties David Merritt] will think of Alabama's Landon Collins, the top-rated pure safety in the draft?" Schwartz wrote. "Another very intriguing player is Shaq Thompson of Washington, a 6-foot-2, 231-pound force who fits at linebacker or as a hulking safety (think Kam Chancellor)."
