New York Giants: Strategic Approach to NFL Draft (Part II)

5. Defense wins championships

Even with the major overhaul of the Giants secondary and the additions of DE Robert Ayers and LB Jameel McClain, the Giants could still use their first pick, and later selections, to go after defense. Losing Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph takes away two staples for the Giants along their defensive front. Even with Ayers — who underwhelmed in Denver after his first round selection — they could still bode well from adding more talent to help the run defense and pass rush.

All along with Coughlin and Jerry Reese has the defensive focus been placed upon a pass rush. But what’s obvious is that the Giants understand they can no longer rely solely on that aspect of their defense. They stacked their secondary with not just free agents who give depth, but players that have started and present solid upside. This depth eases the job of a pass rush, and could, therefore, allow the G-Men a chance to instantly resurrect what has been known in the past as a fearsome group.

Adding young options like UNC’s Kareem Martin on day two or even Pitt’s Aaron Donald in the first could very much upgrade the defense’s approach to attacking opposing QBs, even if they’re facing a vaunted offense. The addition of another linebacker should bode well too, as Jameel McClain is the only new body to a group that played rather decently.

By adding even more defense, the Giants could ease the worries of the offense’s weaknesses much in the mold of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose defenses wreaked havoc enough to ease the pressure of not having an elite level QB or offense.