The NFL draft is finally here.
Though NFL mock drafts are purely speculation, some of the NFL.com experts took a shot at who they believed the New York Giants would draft with the No. 32 overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Let's see how they did.
Charles Davis
In his mock draft, Davis has the Giants taking Nick Perry (DE, USC) with their first pick in the draft. With Osi Umenyiora's recent comments regarding a trade out of New York and David Tollefson going to the Oakland Raiders, the need for another pass-rusher becomes imminent for the G-Men.Â
His 2011 season saw him record 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles, and he recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.50 at the combine.
As Davis notes, Jerry Reese loves to add pass-rushers, no matter how many are already on the roster. I like this pick for the New York Giants. Â
Grade: B+
Charley Casserly, Bucky Brooks, Michael Lombardi and Chad Reuter
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Four different NFL.com analysts have the Giants drafting Stanford tight end Coby Fleener in the first round, and so did I.
The 6'6" tight end would be a great playmaker across the middle of the field, leaving room for Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks on the outside. He completed his senior season with 34 receptions, 667 yards and 10 touchdowns playing alongside Andrew Luck.Â
Despite signing Martellus Bennett during the offseason, the Giants could still use Fleener as an offensive weapon, as Bennett is an unproven receiver, and Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard are each recovering from ACL injuries suffered during the Super Bowl.
The Giants don't have a history of drafting a tight end in the first roundâ€"the last time they did that was 2002 with Jeremy Shockeyâ€"but that could change in 2012.
Grade: A
Greg Cosell
Cosell selected Doug Martin (RB, Boise St.) at the No. 32 pick for the Giants in his mock draft, probably due to the exit of Brandon Jacobs.
But can you remember the last time New York drafted a running back with in the first round?
You have to go all the way back to 2000 when they drafted Ron Dayne.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
As Cosell writes, "Tom Coughlin still wants to run the ball. Never forget that. Martin has a feature-back mentality. He attacked downhill with decisiveness, determination, toughness and competitiveness."
There's no doubt that Coughlin wants to run the ball, but he can do that with Ahmad Bradshaw and Da'Rel Scott. Yes, Bradshaw has a history of injury, but New York can find a solid running back in a later round instead of spending it in the first.
B/R's own Matt Miller has the Giants drafting Virginia Tech's David Wilson in the second round, which I also agree with.
It wouldn't necessarily be a bad move, but there are better picks to be made than a running back in the first round.
Grade: B- Â
Steve Wyche and Albert Breer
Two NFL.com experts chose Dont'a Hightower (ILB, Alabama) as the Giants first pick in their mock draft, and it's no wonder why.
As WalterFootball.com writes, "Hightower is one of the freak athletes in terms of size and speed in the 2012 NFL Draft. The massive linebacker is a rare specimen who has the quickness and agility to be able to play in space."
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The Giants could use both depth and aggressiveness at the linebacker position, a spot on the field that was questionable at times for the Super Bowl champs last season.
New York does show 11 linebackers on their roster, including Michael Boley, Mathias Kiwanuka and Chase Blackburn.
Hightower is a beastâ€"he recorded 85 tackles (11 for a loss), four sacks and one interception as a junior in 2011, but the Giants have bigger needs to address before they take a linebacker in the first round.
Grade: B-Â
Brian Baldinger
Everyone knows the Giants need help on the offensive line, including Brian Baldinger, who chose Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams for the Giants first-round pick.
New York was awful running the football in 2011, ranking dead last in the NFL, with 89.2 YPG.
I selected Adams as one of the guys Eli Manning would love to play with in 2012, due to the fact that he excels in the run-blocking game, something New York desperately needs.
As Baldinger writes, "The Giants slowly work in Adams to replace a great pro in Kareem McKenzie at right tackle."
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
An offensive tackle is arguably the most important offseason need for the Giants, making Adams a great first-round pick for the G-Men.
Grade: A
Mike MayockÂ
NFL.com expert Mike Mayock also feels that the Giants need to draft an offensive tackle in the first round, as he has the Giants taking Stanford OT Jonathan Martin with the No. 32 pick.
Mayock brings up a great point, writing, "They could use a tackle, however, and Martin could play on either side of the line. He also allows you to keep David Diehl inside."
Martin has experience protecting a great quarterback and it's his run-blocking ability that has made him a highly-touted pick in the draft.
The Giants have always been a run-first offense, and drafting an offensive lineman like Martin could get New York back to that mindset.
Grade: A
Follow Pete Schauer on Twitter @Pete_Schauer
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