Here is my take on how the likely Giants 2009 roster is shaping up

possible team needs are in blue, pending RFA signings in Red
everyone else is under contract

Note there will be other positions the Giants will consider upraging depending on which players are available in the draft


Offense (26)

QB (3): Eli Manning, David Carr, Andre Woodson

WR (6): Need, Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, David Tyree/Derek Hagan

TE (3): Kevin Boss, Darcy Johnson, Lawrence Vickers/Michael Matthews

RB (4): Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware, Need

FB (1): Madison Hedgecock

OT (4): David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, Guy Whimper, Need

OG (3): Chris Snee, Rich Seubert, Kevin Boothe/Adam Koets

OC (2): Shaun O'Hara, Need


Defence (25)

DE (3): Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Matthias Kiwanuka + Robert Henderson/Dave Tollefsen

DT (5): Fred Robbins, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, Barry Cofield, Jay Alford

OLB (2):, Brian Kehl, Zak De Ossie

MLB (3): Antonio Pierce, Jonathan Goff, Need

WLB (2): Michael Boley, Danny Clark/Chase Blackburn/Gerris Wilkinson

CB (5): Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas, Kevin Dockery, Need

SS (2): CC Brown, Need

FS (3): Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson, Need


Special Teams (2)

K (1): Lawrence Tynes

P (1): Jeff Feagles

We currenty have 9 draft picks and will likely get 1-2 more as compensation for Gibril Wilson, Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor

from Jerry Reese 3/3

Will there be an opportunity to improve yourself offensively in the rest of free agency, or will that be something you do in the draft?

We're always looking around. We never stop looking for ways to improve our football team. We'll continue to look around in free agency to see what's available offensively, defensively, special teams-wise. All the way around, we're always looking around. Obviously the draft is coming up in April, so there are good players in the draft. We'll try to address all those things with the rest of free agency and the draft.


You have nine draft picks and you may get a supplemental pick or two. Is there enough room on your roster for nine or 10 rookies to make it, or might you consolidate those picks?

We'll try to do what's best for the New York Giants. There are a lot of things that can happen before the draft, so who knows? We may not have that many picks by the time the draft rolls around. We'll do what's best for the Giants. If you have 10 or 11 (rookies) make your team, you are maybe not that strong if all those guys make your team. We'll see what happens moving forward. Maybe we won't have that many picks. But if we have that many picks, we'll try to pick them as best we can, and we'll see. There will be a lot of competition. That's what we like. We like to create a lot of competition at every position, and if we have 10 or 11 draft picks get into the fray, so be it.

Trade

I think the Giants are seriously looking at trade options, most likely at WR or LB.

One option is Derrick Johnson (Chiefs) who isn't a good fit for the Chiefs new 3-4 and would add much needed speed an athleticism.



Draft

Here is what I think we are looking at in the draft (although we will also continue the best available player policy)


definate

WR - a possible starter in the near future likely a Nicks/Britt guy

OC - to groom as future replacement for O'Hara

OT - to groom for future and move Diehl inside

TE - depth

CB - depth

S - depth; perhaps someone who can be a future starter at safety

maybe

ILB to groom to replace Pierce

2nd CB depth (or S depending on whether they want to go with a 6/4 or 5/5 CB/S ratio)

2nd WR

RB depth


and thats it

Assuming the Giants get 3rd and 5th round compensation draft picks, here is my thoughts

Giants Mock draft (6th March)


29:
WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (6'0 3/4", 212lbs, 4.54)
An exceptional physical WR with outstanding hands and agility; Nicks has a similar style to Hines Ward.

45:
S/CB Sean Smith, Utah (6' 3 1/2", 214lbs, 4.53, 10reps)
A talent physical, ballhawk DB with excellent coverage skills (9 Int +16 PBU in 2 seasons). Smith could play either CB or S for us depending onthe CB/S ratio but I think probably S

60:
SS Pat Chung, Oregon (5'11 1/4", 212lbs, 4.54, 25reps)
A physical enforcer at SS with good speed and solid coverage skills. Chung is an excellent tackler with very good instincts and is a seriously big hitter (ie: "the take your head off" style player that really scares recievers). Chung could likely also play WLB on passing downs much like Sammy Knight last season.

91:
OC Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas (6'3 5/8", 301lbs, 5.14, 26reps)
A good center with good mobility and decent strength. He helped pave the way for McFadden, Jones and Hillis.

3rd Comp:
CB Asher Allen, Georgia (5' 9 1/2", 194lbs, 4.53, 22reps)
A good all-round CB, that doesn't stand out in any area.

125:
MLB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh (6' 0 7/8", 244lbs, 4.77, 27reps)
A great tackler inside with excellent instincts, work ethic and intangibles.

143:
OT Xavier Fulton, Illinois (6'4 1/4", 302lbs, 5.03, 27reps)
A good LT prospect with good physical skills; he will need time to develop but has all the tools.

156:
CB Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina (5' 8 1/2", 182lbs, 4.52, 18reps)
An undersized but physical CB who plays alot bigger than his size. Also has experience in the return game. He will at least be a significant upgrade to special teams

5th Comp:
RB Javarris Williams, Tennessee State (5' 9 1/2", 219lbs, 4.52, 25reps)
An under rated RB who would be a good addition to the RB depth

187:
OG Travis Bright, BYU (6' 4 1/4", 316lbs, 5.24, 34reps)
A strong experienced OG with top intangibles to compete for the backup OG spot

221:
WR Kevin Ogeltree,, Virginia (6' 0 1/2", 196lbs, 4.45)
A decent young WR to add competition and has experience returning kicks


I don't think Reese will go Oline or LB early unless and amazing talent is available (which I don't expect).

It is alot of DBs, but it allows Sheridan and Giunta to mix it up alot much like what will happen with the Dline, it will also seriously upgrade our kick coverage units on special teams. It also put genuine competition on the other young platers to perform.
Remember we lost 3 veteran DBs with alot of experience and have 3 of our current guys off contract after 2009; and it is unlikely that Dockery is in Reese's long term plans.
With a nasty, young Dline and a heap of quality young talent in the secondary, this defence is seriously dangerous.

With my mock, this is how the roster would shape up

Offense (26)

QB (3): Eli Manning, David Carr, Andre Woodson

WR (6): Hakeem Nicks, Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, David Tyree/Derek Hagan/Kevin Ogeltree

TE (3): Kevin Boss, Darcy Johnson, Lee Vickers/Michael Matthews

RB (4): Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware, Javarris Williams

FB (1): Madison Hedgecock

OT (4): David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, Guy Whimper, Xavier Fulton

OG (3): Chris Snee, Rich Seubert, Kevin Boothe/Adam Koets/Travis Bright

OC (2): Shaun O'Hara, Jonathan Luigs


Defence (25)

DE (3): Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Matthias Kiwanuka + Robert Henderson/Dave Tollefsen

DT (5): Fred Robbins, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, Barry Cofield, Jay Alford

OLB (2):, Brian Kehl, Zak De Ossie

MLB (3): Antonio Pierce, Jonathan Goff, Scott McKillop

WLB (2): Michael Boley, Danny Clark/Chase Blackburn/Gerris Wilkinson

CB (5): Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas, Asher Allen, Kevin Dockery/Captain Munnerlyn

SS (2): CC Brown, Pat Chung

FS (3): Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson, Sean Smith


Special Teams (2)

K (1): Lawrence Tynes

P (1): Jeff Feagles


Note: Henderson could earn a roster spot if he has a great training camp; if that happens it will likely be at the expense of a LB where it gets very interesting