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2015 NFL Draft: New York Giants’ Top 5 Needs

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By @mturnerny

2015 NFL Draft: New York Giants' Top 5 Needs

Jerry Reese New York Giants
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

With the Giants finishing with a losing record this season, they’ll have a top-15 pick in the 2015 draft. With that high of a pick, the Giants will be looking for the best player available rather than a player who fits their need. However, with the exception of quarterback, and now maybe wide receiver, New York has a lot of holes on its roster to fill. These are the five positions it'll probably be keeping an eye out for.

5. Running back

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

5. Running back

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Last year’s fourth-round pick Andre Williams is finally starting to show some promise as an NFL running back. When healthy, Rashad Jennings and Williams provide a great one-two punch for the Giants. However, despite Jennings’ low wear and tear, he’s still over 30 and will be coming off an injury-plagued season. Someone like Melvin Gordson would be a perfect complement to Williams’ bruising style.

4. Safety

Landon Collins Alabama
Landon Collins -- Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

4. Safety

Landon Collins Alabama
Landon Collins -- Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Bowl strong safety Antrel Rolle will be a free agent at the end of the season, as will free safeties Stevie Brown and Quintin Demps. New York should re-sign Rolle, but they’ll still be left with a missing starting safety and a sever lack of depth at the position. There isn’t a lot of talent at the position in this draft, so they may wait on picking one up, too. Landon Collins would be a good fit here.

3. Defensive End

Leonard Williams USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. Defensive End

Leonard Williams USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Similar with safety, the Giants need of a DE is based on whether Jason Pierre-Paul re-signs. His play lately will warrant the Giants interest as well as plenty of other teams. If the Giants don’t bring him back, there are roughly nine defensive linemen worthy of a first-round pick. Adding a well-rounded end to play opposite JPP, or Ayers (if Pierre-Paul doesn't re-sign) such as Leonard Williams would be a huge boost to their defense.

2. Linebacker

Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

2. Linebacker

Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Both Jameel McClain and Jon Beason have been useful to the Giants at the LB position, but they’re not the future. Benardrick McKinney is an inside LB who’s 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds and is projected to go 13th overall – roughly where the Giants will be. Plenty of outside linebackers will be available in the first round as well that could prove to be difference-makers across from Devon Kennard, who appears to be ready to start next season.

1. Offensive Lineman

Brandon Scherff Iowa
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Offensive Lineman

Brandon Scherff Iowa
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Even with a healthy line, the Giants still would have had problems on their O-Line. The tackle position this year isn’t as great as in years’ past, but with that being said, the first OT to go off the board may be around the eighth overall pick, right in the Giants’ wheelhouse. Getting a player like Brandon Scherff or Cedric Ogbuehi would allow the Giants to move Justin Pugh to RG, and really solidify their line.

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