2014 was the worst season of Eli Manning's tenure as a New York Giant and that must change going forward. In New York City, expectations are high each and every season for Manning and the Giants. Recognizing their season last year, the Giants went and brought in a ton of free agents.
The Giants were in the top five of sacks allowed and they signed Geoff Schwartz in free agency to sure up the offensive line. After losing Hakeem Nicks in free agency, the Giants could very well draft a receiver in the first round. Here is the final Giants preview just a few days away from the 2014 NFL draft.
Major Needs
Wide Receiver: I said earlier how the Giants could be in the market for a wide receiver. Victor Cruz is one of the best receivers in the NFL, but he needs a player across from him to take away attention from him.
Offensive Tackle: Keeping Manning upright is something the Giants need to do better at next season. When he is under pressure, Manning tends to throw a ton of interceptions. To get back into the playoffs, the Giants need to add an impact player on the offensive line.
Defensive Tackle: After losing Lindval Joseph to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, this opened up a big hole at the defensive tackle position. When the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2008 and 2012, their defensive line was a strength and the Giants have to get back to that.
Cornerback: Prince Amukamara hasn't lived up to his first-round status since being drafted out of Nebraska. The Giants signed Walter Thurmond III and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in free agency, but Thurmond III has never started and Rodgers-Cromartie is coming off a bad tenure with the Denver Broncos.
Day-One Targets
Aaron Donald: Out of the teams that need a defensive tackle, the Giants will have the first opportunity to draft a defensive tackle. Aaron Donald is the perfect fit for the Giants as a 3-technique defensive tackle. Donald could become a stud in the NFL.
Mike Evans: Sammy Watkins won't fall to the No. 12 pick, but Mike Evans would real well in this offense. At 6'5", Evans is a perfect vertical threat in this offense and he would be a nice player to take some pressure off of Cruz.
C.J. Mosley: If the Giants elect to go the linebacker direction, C.J. Mosley is by far the best middle linebacker in this draft class. Mosley played college football at Alabama and he played against the best competition. Mosley has injury concerns, but he is NFL-ready and he will hit the ground running.
Taylor Lewan: In most mock drafts across the web, experts have the Giants selecting Aaron Donald or Michigan's Taylor Lewan. If he entered the 2013 NFL draft, Lewan would've likely been a top-7 pick. One year later and Lewan's stock slipped a little.
Day-Two Targets
Cameron Fleming: Coming from Stanford, Cameron Fleming is one of the smartest tackles in this draft class. Fleming is a mauler and he could be moved inside to play guard. Fleming could improve his technique, but he would be a good target in the third round.
Kelvin Benjamin: Like Evans, Kelvin Benjamin is one of the most physically-gifted receivers in this draft. At 6'5", 245 pounds, Benjamin is a big-body receiver who has a wide catch-radius. Benjamin has character concerns, but he has tools you cannot teach.
DaQuan Jones: Unlike Donald, DaQuan Jones shows the versatility to play the 1-technique position or the 3-technique position. Jones weighs 320 pounds and he has a tough guy to move in the middle of the field. Jones would be a good target in the second or third round.
Stanley Jean-Baptiste: The Seahawks made it clear to the NFL that having tall, instinctive cornerbacks is a good thing. Richard Sherman is the perfect example of that. In this year's draft, Stanley Jean-Baptiste is the tallest cornerback in this draft. He is raw, but he has tools to be a good cover guy.
Day-Three Targets
Arthur Lynch: The Giants could add a tight end, and in the later rounds, Arthur Lynch is one of the best players at the position. Not only can he make plays in the passing game, one of Lynch's calling cards is that he is such a good blocker.
Brandon Thomas: The Clemson product was set to go in the third round before tearing his ACL in a private workout with the New Orleans Saints. By drafting him this late, Brandon Thomas would have a ton of value.
Aaron Colvin: Similar to Thomas, Aaron Colvin tore his ACL in a practice for the Senior Bowl. That injury ultimately killed his draft stock and Colvin will likely go in the seventh round now. The Giants could get a nice cornerback in the back-end of the sixth round.
Final Seven-Round Mock
1. Taylor Lewan, Offensive Tackle, Michigan
2. Kelvin Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Florida State
3. Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Cornerback, Nebraska
4. Caraun Reid, Defensive Tackle, Princeton
5. Arthur Lynch, Tight End, Georgia
6. Brandon Thomas, Offensive Guard/Tackle, Clemson
7. Aaron Colvin, Cornerback, Oklahoma