Open Thread empresario Cassieper makes his pick for the Giants, presumably based upon the notion that Eli is still a Manning and thus worthy of his time.
Going into the draft, the Giants have a few big needs. The main one that most likely everybody knows about is the offensive line. A combination of injuries (Center Shaun O'Hara and LT David Diehl spent considerable time injured) and age (the average age on the Giants' line is 31, and nobody is under 29) has led to a deterioration in the trenches and an immediate need there. There is also a need in the LB corps, as their 3 LBs are either mediocre or bad, and a popular prospect at Big Blue View is LB Akeem Ayers out of UCLA. However, OL appears to be a much larger need for the Giants, and with a deep class at LB, the Giants can still get LB value in the later rounds.
It's the same deal at RB, where Mark Ingram was a strong consideration. Even though the Giants can use a RB, in a 2-back NFL, there just isn't a need to take a RB this early, especially when there are other pressing areas of need and value can still be had later. They might not get an Arian Foster later, but they can still find a competent back in the later rounds. Anyway, this brings us back to the offensive line. The go-to pick for me here was Mike Pouncey, as the interior line needs more improving than the tackles, especially with O'Hara really showing his age. Sadly, the Dolphins took Pouncey, and there's not really good value for another interior lineman at #19. So, we move to OT. Gabe Carimi out of Wisconsin appears to be the best OT left on the board. His main drawback, according to draft experts, seems to be that he may only be suited to be a RT at the NFL level, but that's fine for the Giants, who could use some upgrading at both tackle spots.
So, with the 19th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft (at great risk to personal harm from my fellow Colts fans who want him), the New York Giants take Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin.
Regardless of whether Cass has alienated himself from his fellow Colts brethren, what do you think of this pick for the Giants?
dhigs11 is now in the clock for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That pick is due to me via e-mail by 7 p.m. CDT tonight.