Draft Needs Versus Draft Wants

As readers know, I am a staunch advocate of taking the best player available in every round of every draft. Now, a lot of people, including all of the national draft writers encourage teams to draft for need. Of course, drafting for need is stupid. Especially in the NFL where most rookies can't step right in and do anything more than specials. But it's a way for the "pro's" to get their data and info organized so they peddle the foolish idea of drafting for need which almost as a rule leaves great value on the board.

Fortunately, our World Champion New York Giants don't screw around in the draft. Jerry Reese is allergic to reaching and that's why his brilliant drafts usually get B's, C's and D's from the pundits. Anyway, from the looks of the 2012 draft pool it's set-up for the Giants to draft from WANT.

Here's the distinction: well run, stable teams like the Giants, Pats, Steelers, and Green Bay are so certain of the systems they have in place that they know what kind of players they want and what kind of players they don't want. They're not guessing. They're not flipping out over a combine performance if the production's not there. They know! That shrinks the board for them, and allows them to go right after more of the types they want in the UDFA hours.

The Giants really know what a Giant is these days and it makes things the draft just like fishing in a barrel for them.

Here's what we know: the Giants want playmakers on O and D, and they like plus size and AA wherever they can get it. They like athletic monsters on both lines, and physical playmakers at the skill positions. That eliminates a lot of players who don't have those kind of abilities.

This year's draft has a large red chip area from the middle of the first round till about the middle of the 5th round. It's massive, and these are the kinds of drafts where the teams that really know what they want will go off. The Giants are such a team and they have the best scouts in the business.

Over the next few days, I'll look at some of the specific things I think the Giants will want to do next week. Go Giants!