New York Giants 2012 Draft Preview

Apr 16, 2012 - 8:47 PM (Sports Network) - The defending Super Bowl champions enter the draft seeking replacements for a pair of key contributors to their latest championship run, wide receiver Mario Manningham and running back Brandon Jacobs. And with leading rusher Ahmad Bradshaw a significant health risk due to chronic foot problems, acquiring some protection in the form of a first or second-day selection figures to be in the team's plans. Manningham's exit leaves New York without a dependable No. 3 receiver, while the ACL tears that tight ends Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum sustained in the Super Bowl has created a dangerously thin situation at that position even after the recent signing of ex-Cowboy Martellus Bennett. The Giants could also use a bit more interior depth along the defensive line, an area in which general manager Jerry Reese has been a proponent of stockpiling high-ceiling talent in the past, so an early pick on a young tackle makes some sense as well. Reese did spend a second-round choice on the promising Marvin Austin in last year's draft, but the former North Carolina Tar Heel hasn't played regularly since 2009 because of a pectoral injury and college suspension.

2011 Record: 9-7

Top Needs: RB, WR, DT

First Three Picks: No. 32, No. 63, No. 94

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

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2011 - Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska); 2010 - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, South Florida); 2009 - Hakeem Nicks (WR, North Carolina); 2008 - Kenny Phillips (S, Miami-Florida); 2007 - Aaron Ross (DB, Texas); 2006 - Mathias Kiwanuka (DE, Boston College); 2005 - none; 2004 - Eli Manning (QB, Ole Miss)*; 2003 - William Joseph (DT, Miami-Florida); 2002 - Jeremy Shockey (TE, Miami-Florida).

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