Giants Offseason Preview

This is a preview of the Giants Offseason.
QB- Eli Manning said before the season that he was an elite quarterback and he backed that statement with having a great year and winning another super bowl by beating Tom Brady. Eli will most likely end up being the greatest Giants quarterback ever. The problem is what is backing up Eli. They will probably bring a young quarterback in the late rounds or an undrafted one to compete with Carr for the backup job.
RB- When you think the Giants you think of a team they can run the ball with the best of them. Stats however told you that they were the worst in the NFL. Once the playoffs came along they were able to have a successful running game, but not the level when the made there first super bowl run four years ago. They will probably draft a running back in the late rounds to add depth.
WR- The Giants have built the last two years one of the youngest and best receiving cores in the NFL. Victor Cruz came out of nowhere and broke out to break the receiving yards record of the Giants. However you can't double Cruz mainly because of Hakeem Nicks. You have to double him and if you don't he will do what he showed in the playoffs. Hakeem Nicks can approach top five level if he becomes more consistent in the regular season. Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon are free agents. Manningham is pretty much gone, as he will take the money and run. Hixon can comeback and the only issue is his knee. Look for them to draft a receiver in the mid rounds to try to replace Manningham.
TE- This is a position the Giants haven't payed much attention to since trade Jeremy Shockey three years ago. The big issue is that Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum are coming off of serious knee injuries. Expect the Giants to target a veteran tight end in free agency and draft a tight end in the mid to late rounds.
OL- This group wasn't as good as it was when the Giants they won their first super bowl, but it was very solid moving players like Kevin Boothe and David Diehl around the line. Losing veteran players like Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert showed up as the unit had a lot more mental mistakes. One of the biggest disappointments was the play of Kareem McKenzie. He played as one of the elite O-Tackles in 2010, but in 2011 he played very average. He is a free agent, but he may come back as the Giants don't have a Tackle that can replace him. Expect the Giants to target an Offensive Tackle early in the draft.
DL- The Giants have one of the best, if not the best defensive lines in the NFL. One of the biggest key though is having three defensive ends. This makes the Osi Umenyoria contract very interesting. The relationship is much better then it was before the season so it is possible. A key player could be Marvin Austin who will be back from injury who was suspended in 2010. If Osi does get traded expect the Giants to take a Defensive End early in the draft.
LB- A unit that isn't the best, but gets the job done. The biggest key was Michael Boley. He had a very good season and proved to be worth the contract he signed two years ago. Mathis Kiwanuka made the switch to Outside Linebacker and because of the depth he may stay there. They look to resign Jonathan Goff to a prove it contract. Will all the young linebackers they added in the draft it isn't as pressing as a need. Expect them to take a linebacker in the mid rounds.
DB- This is a position that has underperformed for the Giants especially the corners. Corey Webster has been good, but the other ones haven't played up to their talents. One guy you can expect a break out year to become an elite is Kenny Philips. His knee looks to finally be one hundred percent and he has all the qualities you look for in an all-pro safety. Three big keys to their secondary are free agents in Deon Grant, Terrell Thomas, and Aaron Ross. Ross may get more money then he is worth because of him playing better in their super bowl run. Grant won't get any big offers as he will be available if the Giants want him back. Terrell Thomas will be back simply because he is coming off a serious knee injury, and the Giants will give him a one year deal to prove he is back from his injury. Look for the Giants to take a corner in the early to mid rounds to help out their depth and the future.