Giants' offseason needs for 2015

By NICK KLOPSISnicholas.klopsis@newsday.comFebruary 6, 2015

The Giants are coming off two consecutive losing seasons for the first time in 10 years. How can they make sure that doesn’t happen in 2015? Here are five positions of need that they could address this offseason, be it through free agency which begins March 10 or the NFL Draft from April 30 to May 2. The Giants have the No. 9 pick in the first round and at least eight picks overall, with additional compensatory picks to be distributed from March 22-25.

1. DEFENSIVE END

Credit: David Pokress

Jason Pierre-Paul will be a free agent, and with 42 sacks in five seasons (including 12 1/2 last year), he likely will command a steep contract. Mathias Kiwanuka (38 1/2 sacks in nine seasons) also will hit free agency. The Giants have some pass-rushing ends in Damontre Moore and Robert Ayers, but the Giants pride themselves on having a strong rotation of rushers, and if they let Pierre-Paul walk, then they’ll need to replace his speed off the edge. While the free-agent DE class is slim on pass rushers, the draft is loaded with talent.
Potential options: Pierre-Paul (re-sign); Randy Gregory, Nebraska (draft); Shane Ray, Missouri (draft); Alvin Dupree, Kentucky (draft); Trey Flowers, Arkansas (draft).

2. OFFENSIVE LINE

Credit: Mike Stobe

Injuries plagued the Giants’ offensive line throughout all of last season. Geoff Schwartz should be healthy after playing in two games in the second half of the season, but the Giants still could use some added depth. Will Beatty is entrenched at left tackle, so drafting a right tackle would allow Justin Pugh to slide inside to guard, which in turn would move Weston Richburg to his natural position of center ahead of J.D. Walton.
Potential options: Doug Free, Cowboys (free agent); Brandon Scherff, Iowa (draft); La’El Collins, LSU (draft); Andrus Peat, Stanford (draft); T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh (draft).

3. INSIDE LINEBACKER

Credit: Jim McIsaac

In the 2014 draft, the Giants landed a solid rookie outside linebacker in Devon Kennard. Now they need to build around him. Mark Herzlich is headed for free agency and Jon Beason is coming off toe surgery, so this could be a chance for the Giants to infuse some youth and athleticism into their linebacker corps.
Potential options: David Harris, Jets (free agent); Mason Foster, Buccaneers (free agent); Eric Kendricks, UCLA (draft); Paul Dawson, TCU (draft); Benardrick McKinney (draft).

4. DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Credit: Jim McIsaac

The Giants allowed 2,162 rushing yards last season, third-worst in the NFL. They have a solid young run-stuffer in Johnathan Hankins but could use another big body to clog up inside running lanes.
Potential options: Ndamukong Suh, Lions (free agent); Dwan Edwards, Panthers (free agent); Terrance Knighton, Broncos (free agent); Danny Shelton, Washington (draft).

5. SAFETY

Credit: Joe Epstein

Antrel Rolle is a free agent, and at age 32, the Giants might pass on bringing him back. Stevie Brown also will be a free agent, two years removed from hauling in all eight of his career interceptions. The Giants drafted a safety last year in Nat Berhe, but he is somewhat unproven. If the Giants view him as a long-term project or as a quality special-teamer, they could look to find a versatile safety who can play deep coverage and up in the box.
Potential options: Devin McCourty, Patriots (free agent); Da’Norris Searcy, Bills (free agent); Darian Stewart, Ravens (free agent); Landon Collins, Alabama (draft).