(SportsNetwork.com) - The Giants remain a talent-deficient team right now and could go in a number of different directions with the ninth overall pick but bolstering what has been a very poor offensive line to help extend Eli Manning's stretch as a competent option at the quarterback position makes a lot of sense.
Iowa left tackle Brandon Scherff is the best offensive lineman in this draft who projects inside at guard or outside at right tackle at the next level and could be this year's Zack Martin, a very safe pick who will likely excel early on. Scherff had a private workout in Iowa City with the Giants and offensive line coach Pat Flaherty was on hand.
If Jerry Reese looks elsewhere, though, the back seven on defense is a major concern with the oft-injured Jon Beason as the only proven commodity at linebacker and virtually nothing on hand at safety.
Alabama's Landon Collins isn't the best coverage safety in the world and probably isn't deserving of a top-10 grade but the Giants could be desperate after losing veteran safety Antrel Rolle to Chicago in free agency and realizing they have only two unproven commodities, Cooper Taylor and Nat Berhe, under contract.
2014 Record: 6-10
Top Needs: S, LB, OL, DL
First Three Picks: No. 9, No. 40, No. 74
Number of Selections: 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2014 - Odell Beckham, Jr.; 2013 - Justin Pugh (OL, Syracuse); 2012 - David Wilson (RB, Virginia Tech); 2011 - Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska); 2010 - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, South Florida); 2009 - Hakeem Nicks (WR, North Carolina); 2008 - Kenny Phillips (S, Miami- Florida); 2007 - Aaron Ross (DB, Texas); 2006 - Mathias Kiwanuka (DE, Boston College); 2005 - none
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