2012 NFL Mock Draft: Quinton Coples Projected To New York Giants

The 2012 NFL Draft is swiftly approaching, and all of the NFL experts are finalizing its mock drafts. A lot of the results are the mostly the same, but over at Pro Football Talk, writer Evan Silva has the New York Giants taking Quinton Coples, a defensive end from North Carolina.

The projection of Coples to the Giants means that the defensive linemen, who has been projected, at times, as a top-15 selection, fell all the way to New York which is picking No. 32 overall. For a team that has a lot of solid defensive ends and pass-rushers, this would be a luxury pick, but would be a big vaule pick in terms of the first round.

Currently, many other mock drafts have the Giants selecting Standford tight end Cobly Fleener.

For more on Giants free agency, check out this SB Nation New York StoryStream. Meanwhile, everything on the Giants NFL Draft can be found here.

Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Select Coby Fleener

In Mel Kiper's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, the ESPN analyst projects that the New York Giants will use the No. 32 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Coby Fleener, a tight end from Stanford.

Despite signing Martellus Bennett this offseason, the Giants are thin at the tight end position. Fleener, a 6-foot-6, 244-pounder who caught 37 passes for 667 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, should be able to make an instant contribution wherever he lands thanks to his athleticism, size and ability to catch the football.

The Giants won a Super Bowl, but they aren't without needs. Tight end is a spot they really need to upgrade, and Fleener is the best one available.

For more on the Giants, please be sure to visit our blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For more mock draft information, check out Mocking The Draft. Prospect profiles can also be found at the National Football Post, an SB Nation partner.

NFL Mock Draft 2012: McShay Projects Jonathan Martin To The Giants

ESPN's Todd McShay has released his final first round mock draft, and he believes the Giants will finish the first round in a similar way to which the Colts will start it: by drafting a player from Stanford.

McShay thinks offensive tackle Jonathan Martin makes sense for the team, which aligns with a need that many others have discussed leading up to the draft.

Kareem McKenzie, the Giants long-time right tackle, will not be back in 2012, and the Giants may attempt to make Martin his replacement.

Martin was at one point considered a top 10 pick, but his stock has since dropped.

For more on the Giants, please be sure to visit our blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For more mock draft information, check out Mocking The Draft. Prospect profiles can also be found at the National Football Post, an SB Nation partner.

NFL Mock Draft 2012: Coby Fleener, Jonathan Martin To New York Giants

The 2012 NFL Mock Draft season is almost over, and the real 2012 NFL Draft is just hours from beginning. Before the real deal begins, the final mock draft projections are flying in. Among those, are the final choices of our experts here at SB Nation.

At Mocking The Draft, lead analyst Dan Kadar has chosen Stanford tight end Coby Fleener for the Giants with the 32nd and final selection of the first round.

Kadar says:

“With a player like Georgia’s Cordy Glenn still out there, this may be a surprise choice. But don’t forget the Giants have two tight ends rehabbing serious injuries. Fleener could be a Pro Bowler early in his career in New York’s offense.”

SBNation.com also opts for a Stanford player, but selects offensive tackle Jonathan Martin for the Giants.

Ryan Van Bibber writes:

“The Giants were fine with some temporary answers on their offensive line last season; that’s why Jerry Reese is picking this spot. Martin fills a big need, and matches well with their draft spot.”

What do you think, Giants fans? Is there a player you really want?

Mel Kiper Final Mock Draft 2012: Bobby Massie Selected To New York Giants

In Mel Kiper's final 2012 NFL Mock Draft, the ESPN analyst projects that the New York Giants will use the No. 32 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Bobby Massie, an offensive tackle from Ole Miss.

Kiper writes that the Giants won the Super Bowl without a strong left tackle and could benefit from drafting Massie if he's still available by the time they choose.

Massie has climbed draft boards since testing at the NFL Combine, as NFL scouts like his size and reach at the tackle position. He anchored a strong offensive line at Ole Miss and should be able to impact a team right away, despite lacking elite athleticism teams covet.

For more on the Giants, please be sure to visit our blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates. For more mock draft information, check out Mocking The Draft. Prospect profiles can also be found at the National Football Post, an SB Nation partner.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: NFL.com Predicts All Seven Rounds

On the eve of the 2012 NFL Draft, mock drafts are popping up everywhere with urgency.

Most experts do a one-round mock, with some going the extra distance to take care of the second round. However, Chad Reuter of NFL.com puts those guys to shame with his here-comes-the-party seven round epic.

Before I waste another second our time, the New York Giants picks:

1st Round: Coby Fleener - TE - Stanford

2nd Round: Brandon Boykin - CB - Georgia

3rd Round: Bernard Pierce - RB - Temple

4th Round: Brandon Mosley - OT - Auburn

4th Round: Joe Adams - WR - Arkansas

5th Round: No Pick

6th Round: Jack Crawford - DE - Penn State

7th Round: Tydreke Powell - DT - North Carolina

Giants fans would have to feel pretty good about this draft. Fleener is someone who is splitting opinions because he can't block, but he could still be a nice replacement of Jake Ballard while he recovers from a torn ACL.

Boykin would be a terrific pick in the second. Not too many players are more athletic than the Georgia product and if he's still around that late, the value is great.

The same can be said for Bernard Pierce and Joe Adams, both players with nice upside who could be come legitimate NFL players will some seasoning.

Luckily for the Super Bowl champs, neither would be pressed into action right away.

For more on the Giants, please be sure to visit our blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: Drafttek Projects All Seven Rounds

Many 2012 NFL Mock Drafts stop after the first round, but Drafttek uses a computer model to generate a complete, seven-round mock draft which uses an algorithm to measure the ability of players on the board against a team's needs.

Using the latest predictions from Drafttek's model, the New York Giants were projected to select the following seven choices in the 2012 NFL Draft:

Round one, pick No. 32 overall: David Wilson, 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back, Virginia Tech Hokies

Round two, pick No. 63: Zebrie Sanders, 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive tackle, Florida State Seminoles

Round three, pick No. 94: Michael Egnew, 6-foot-5, 252-pound tight end, Missouri Tigers

Round four, pick No. 127: Chase Minnifield, 5-foot-10, 183-pound cornerback, Virginia Cavaliers

Round four, pick No. 131: Nigel Bradham, 6-foot-2, 241-pound outside linebacker, Florida State Seminoles

Round six, pick No. 201: Chris Owusu, 6-foot-0, 198-pound wide receiver, Stanford Cardinal

Round seven, pick No. 239: Jaymes Brooks, 6-foot-2, 312-pound offensive lineman, Virginia Tech Hokies

For more on the Giants, please be sure to check out our blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Linked To Dont'a Hightower

In the latest SB Nation NFL Mock Draft by Ryan Van Bibber, the New York Giants are grabbing outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower with the 32nd overall pick.

Hightower would make sense on a lot of levels. First, he's coming in from a defense that already runs a ton of pro style sets. Second, he was coached by Nick Saban who many ex-Alabama stars say is more demanding than their NFL coach.

Hightower would have to switch from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3, but his skill set in some ways matches up better. He's never been a great pass-rusher, so he could focus more on covering backs and tight ends on passing plays.

Some feel he won't be a three-down player but even so, he could make a fine run stuffer on the second level.\

Many pundits believe Hightower will come off the board at the 24th pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he falls all the way to the Giants, they would have to be thrilled.

For more on the Giants, please be sure to check out our blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: National Football Post Makes Third And Fourth Round Picks For New York Giants

The National Football Post is conducting a week-long NFL Mock Draft and recently mocked three players to the New York Giants in the third and fourth rounds. NFP had the Giants selecting Stephen Gilmore, cornerback from South Carolina and Chandler Jones from the Syracuse Orange in the first and second rounds, respectively.

Third round:

94. New York Giants: Brian Quick WR, Appalachian State

Exhibits natural athleticism, coordination and some burst as a route runner. Has some upside to his game, but reminds me some of a Ramses Barden type prospect. A big guy who can adjust, but is never going to separate much out of his breaks in the NFL.

Fourth round:

127. NY Giants: Tony Bergstrom OG, Utah

A big, strong tackle prospect with some short area quickness for his size. But struggles with flexibility in pass protection and looks limited in what he can offer an NFL offense. However, looks more coordinated and plays lower as a guard and looks like that is where his future lies in the NFL.

131. NY Giants: Sean Spence OLB, Miami

A gifted sideline-to-sideline athlete who can play in space and make plays off his frame. Size is a concern, but looks like a starter in a cover two scheme who can play three downs in the NFL.

See dozens of draft profiles at Big Blue View. You can also check out SB Nation's Mocking The Draft for complete draft preview coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: Peter King Selects Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

In Sports Illustrated's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Peter King projects the New York Giants to use the No. 32 pick in the NFL Draft on Harrison Smith, a safety from Notre Dame.

A mature four-year starter for the Irish, Smith has the speed to play free safety and the tackling ability to play strong. The Giants could go in a lot of directions here, with McClellin and Mike Adams both possible because of positional need. But a 47-game college starter and eager special-teamer will be too much for G.M. Jerry Reese to pass up.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese noted during a Thursday press conference that his team has a philosophy to draft the best player available, rather than selecting based on positional need. The National Football Post sees Smith as a solid, if not sexy, pick. Despite lacking top-notch athleticism, Smith is able to make plays due to his impressive instincts.

See dozens of draft profiles at Big Blue View. You can also check out SB Nation's Mocking The Draft for complete draft preview coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: Draft Tek Seven-Round Projection

The 2012 NFL Draft is just a week away at this point. With that in mind, here is a seven-round New York Giants draft projection from DraftTek, which uses a computer simulation to come up with its mock draft.

Round 1 (32nd overall) -- Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Draft Tek says: "The Giants currently have a lot of uncertainty at right tackle. Beatty is more of a natural LT, and Diehl is getting older and best-suited at guard. Sean Locklear was signed to replace Kareem McKenzie, but at 30, he's not the long term solution. Jonathan Martin, the 6'6" 312 pound tackle out of Stanford, is a great athlete with upside. The Giants have the luxury of picking a guy like him and coaching him up for a year or two - and an investment into keeping Eli clean."

Round 2 (63rd overall) -- Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

DraftTek calls the notion of finding Fleener still on the board here, "delightfully scary,' and I would agree, This would be fantastic value at this point.

Round 3 (93rd overall) -- Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Round 4 (127th overall) -- Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State

Round 4 (131st overall) -- DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

Round 5 -- No selection

Round 6 (201st overall) -- Jerry Franklin, MLB, Arkansas

Round 7 (239th overall) -- Jaymes Brooks, OG, Virginia Tech

After the first two picks I particularly like the second-day selection of Boykin [scouting report] and the fourth-round flier on Posey [scouting report]. Thoughts, Giants fans?

2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Select Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Some recent mock drafts have the New York Giants selecting a running back, a possibility that makes sense because the Super Bowl champions could use some depth in the backfield.

But in his latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Wes Bunting of the National Football Post projects that the Giants will use the No.32 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Stephon Gilmore, a cornerback out of South Carolina.

Getting a tall, physical defensive back who displays a natural feel in zone and can go get the football makes some sense for the Giants at the back end of round one.

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Gilmore has great size, solid quickness and even occasionally lined up at safety during college. According to the National Football Post's scouting report, Gilmore should have a chance to start wherever he lands, but could stand to improve his footwork.

See dozens of draft profiles at Big Blue View. You can also check out SB Nation's Mocking The Draft for complete draft preview coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: SB Nation Selects David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

We are less than two weeks away from the 2012 NFL Draft now. That means it is time to begin taking the myriad of mock drafts available on the Inter-Google seriously. The latest mock draft from SB Nation, released Monday morning, has the Giants selecting Virginia Tech running back David Wilson with the 32nd overall selection in the first round.

SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber says:

For as good as the Giants offense was last season, their running game was a potential liability. Wilson would make for a much more dynamic pairing with Ahmad Bradshaw than Brandon Jacobs did. Bradshaw has health red flags anyway, which makes finding a good running back an important play for the Giants' offseason plans.

Van Bibber is right in one sense that running back is a 'need' position for the Giants. If the draft unfolded this way and the Giants did choose a running back it would be interesting to see if general manager Jerry Reese would choose the electrifying Wilson or the very solid, well-round Doug Martin of Boise State. In the SB Nation mock, Martin is already off the board.

The Giants history, though, is littered with failed attempts to draft running backs in the first round. Ron Dayne, Jarrod Bunch, George Adams, Butch Woolfolk and Tyrone Wheatley come to mind. Rodney Hampton, taken 27th in 1991, is one of the few success stories among first-round running back selections for New York.

The Giants have had great success drafting running backs in later rounds. Tiki Barber and Joe Morris were second-round selections, Jacobs a fourth-round pick and Bradshaw a seventh-round selection.

With that in mind, and with the Giants' tendency to draft value over need, the pick could easily go in another direction with running back being addressed later.

In this mock, pass-rushers like Chandler Jones of Syracuse and Nick Perry of USC are still on the board. Alabama middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower is available, as is North Carolina outside linebacker Zach Brown. Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still is also still up for grabs. Wisconsin center Peter Konz is good value at this point in the draft, as well.

The Giants could go in almost any direction with this selection.

-- See dozens of draft profiles at Big Blue View. You can also check out SB Nation's Mocking The Draft for complete draft preview coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Giants Projected To Select Peter Konz

The New York Giants have been projected by the 2012 SB Nation Mock Draft to select Wisconsin center Peter Konz with the 32nd pick of the first round (via SB Nation).

Seeing Konz' name beside the Giants in the mock might seem a bit unorthodox at first as their need is at tackle. Indeed, recent mocks have projected Ole Miss' Bobby Massie or Stanford's Jonathan Martin to New York. While Konz is listed as a center, he does have the potential to play guard. However, our Giants blog Big Blue View made the Konz pick and offered the following take on the Wisconsin offensive lineman.

The Giants could go a lot of different ways here: offensive line, wide receiver, running back, linebacker, and cornerback. Konz seemingly doesn't fill the need for an offensive tackle, but he is the best offensive lineman and best value left on the board. Giants GM Jerry Reese is all about value, so Konz is the choice. Besides, he could end up starting at left guard.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

2012 NFL Draft: Todd McShay Examines Giants Options

The only certainty about the NFL draft is that there is a glut of uncertainty surrounding the proceedings, as invariably we will witness a plot twist that likely no one foresaw.

Todd McShay of ESPN knows as much, which is why he released his latest mock draft with multiple scenarios for each of the 32 first round selections.

Here's a summary on his New York Giants-related musings:

- The primary option for the G-Men is to take a player who fills a position of need, and thats OT Mike Adams of Ohio State.

- Additionally, he points to the opportunity to take what he calls a "luxury" selection, such as Stanford TE Coby Fleener or Nebraska OLB Lavonte David.

- Finally, McShay brings about the possibility of New York orchestrating a trade with a team looking to climb back into the first round, while the Giants would acquire a pick and still get players of need in the second round.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Giants Given OT Bobby Massie In Latest Mock Draft

The New York Giants were given offensive tackle Bobby Massie with the 32nd pick in the latest 2012 SB Nation.com NFL Mock Draft (via SB Nation).

Here's what Ryan Van Bibber had to say about the Giants' selection:

A late entrant to the conversation, Massie is getting plenty of attention as consensus dissolves around Mike Adams and the other tackles in the second-tier of players at the position. Massie has the athletic ability of Adams, without questions about his consistency.

Massie had recently been linked to the Giants by a Sports Illustrated Mock Draft. New York could use another running back but could also go for an offensive line pick at the tail end of the first round if it is the right guy. Massie's ascent up draft boards over the past couple of weeks could have the Giants taking notice.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Giants Select CB Stephon Gilmore In Latest National Football Post Mock Draft

In National Football Post's 6.0 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Wes Bunting has the New York Giants selecting South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore (via NFP) with the 32nd pick of the First Round.

Bunting says about the Gilmore selection:

Getting a tall, physical defensive back who displays a natural feel in zone and can go get the football makes some sense for the Giants at the back end of round one.

The cornerack selection is a little unusual in the sense that most mock drafts have New York selecting a defensive player in the first round, but not a defensive back.

Here's a look at Gilmore's South Carolina career. Last season, Gilmore had 46 tackles (35 solo), four interceptions (led the team), one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. For his college career, Gilmore had 176 tackles (136 solo), 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles (4 recoveries) and 7 interceptions.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Projects Giants To Pick TE Coby Fleener, RB David Wilson In First Two Rounds

ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest Mock Draft is out. He went two rounds with this mock draft. He sees the New York Giants addressing offensive needs with their picks in the first two rounds.

With the 32nd pick in the First Round, Kiper sees New York taking Stanford tight end Coby Fleener (6-6, 247). Fleener is the best tight end available, according to Kiper.

The best tight end on the board, Fleener has the speed to be used off the line, where he can become a matchup problem and further diversify an already strong passing attack. Fleener has great hands, fantastic route-running ability and will become a big threat in the red zone. The Giants also need offensive line help, or could target a linebacker here, but Fleener fits. (via ESPN)

With their Second Round selection (63rd), Kiper has the Giants taking Virginia Tech running back David Wilson. In comparing Wilson to former Giant running back Brandon Jacobs, Kiper sees Wilson as being more explosive. Wilson wasn't the feature back for the Hokies until last season, but had a fine junior season with 1,709 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and 9 touchdowns.

For more on the Giants and their 2012 NFL Draft choices stay tuned to our StoryStream. For more on the Giants, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all your news, notes and updates.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Select Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

In Sports Illustrated's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Don Banks projects the New York Giants to use the 32nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Bobby Massie, an offensive tackle from Ole Miss.

Given Ahmad Bradshaw's health situation, the Giants might have to go for a running back like Miami's Lamar Miller or Boise State's Doug Martin at No. 32. But right tackle is still an obvious need, and Massie is a former Rebel with NFL caliber size (6-6, 316) and reach.

Massie hasn't always been viewed as a first-round pick, but he possesses size and athleticism teams covet on the offensive line. As teams catch more glimpses of Massie's physical traits, he continues to climb the NFL Draft boards.

For more on the Giants and their 2012 NFL Draft choices stay tuned to our StoryStream. For more on the Giants, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all your news, notes and updates.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

In SB Nation's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Ryan Van Bibber projects that the New York Giants use the 32nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Jonathan Martin, a tackle from Stanford.

New York is parting ways with 32-year-old Kareem McKenzie, its right tackle since 2005. More notable, the Giants got by with the temporary solution of David Diehl filling in on the left side with William Beatty out of action last season. They need depth at tackle, and Martin can compete for a starting job immediately.

The National Football Post ranks Martin No. 61 on its 2012 NFL Draft Big Board, praising his athleticism but citing concerns about his strength and physicality. Mocking The Draft echoes concerns about Martin's strength, but notes that he is "often the fastest lineman off the line of scrimmage" and that his technique is fundamentally sound.

For more on the Giants and their 2012 NFL Draft choices stay tuned to our StoryStream. For more on the Giants, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all your news, notes and updates.

Todd McShay Two-Round Mock Draft: New Names For The New York Giants

The 2012 NFL Draft is less than a month away now, so the business of figuring out what players teams will target is now getting serious. ESPN draft expert Todd McShay Wednesday released a two-round mock draft, and in it he choose two players for the New York Giants who had not been connected to the defending Super Bowl champions in previous mock drafts.

In the first round, McShay has the Giants selecting LaVonte David, an outside linebacker from Nebraska. In the second round, McShay gives the Giants Mitchell Schwartz, an offensive tackle from Cal.

The David selection is an interesting one. Giants general manager Jerry Reese recently raised the possibility of weakside linebacker Michael Boley, who calls the defensive signals for the Giants, moving to the middle in 2012. Jacquian Williams could slide into the weak side, but so could a player like David. Here is what McShay said:

"The Giants might have bigger needs, but David is a great value and a perfect fit. He is one of the best pure football players in the entire draft, someone who could be plugged in on the weak side and allow Michael Boley to move to the middle."

David is a 6-foot-1, 233-pound linebacker ranked as the No. 37 overall prospect by SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.

NFL.com says:

"Has enormous tackle production throughout his two years at Nebraska, posting over 260 tackles in his short time there. Instincts are the key to his game, as he always seems to be in the middle of action whether rushing the passer or covering tight ends. Lavonte will need to stay off blocks at the next level and either gain strength to shed linemen or continue to play instinctually to stay free entirely. His athletic ability allows him to play loose and fly around, and he should go in the late first round to a team who loves undersized, athletic linebackers."

Schwartz is ranked as the 70th overall prospect by the National Football Post. The Giants have told long-time starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie that he won't be re-signed, and could use an infusion of youth in their aging offensive line.

The 6-foot-5, 318-pound Schwartz is a player who has been rising up draft boards, and NFP says "Displays solid athletic ability, but looks better suited to play on the right side in the NFL vs. less speed."

2012 NFL Draft Order: Giants Officially Have 8 Picks In Draft

The 2012 NFL Draft Order was officially released Tuesday, and the New York Giants will have eight picks during the seven-round, 253-selectione event, April 26-28. The Giants, the defending Super Bowl Champions, will pick last in the first two rounds, however, were awarded a compensatory selection in the fourth on Monday.

Below is a complete list of the Giants' 2012 NFL Draft picks, while for New York's mock draft results visit this SB Nation New York StoryStream:

Round 1, Pick 32 (overall 32)
Round 2, Pick 32 (63)
Round 3, Pick 32 (94)
Round 4, Pick 32 (127)
Round 4, Pick 36 (131, compensatory selection)
Round 5, Pick 32 (167)
Round 6, Pick 32 (201)
Round 7, Pick 32 (239)

For more New York Giants news and updates, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For more NFL draft coverage, make it a point to look at Mocking The Draft as well for excellent coverage.

Giants 2012 Compensatory Draft Picks: New York Awarded Fourth-Round Selection

The New York Giants just learned that they will receive one 2012 NFL Draft compensatory pick in the 4th round of this year's NFL Draft.

The Giants selection will be the 36th selection (131st overall) of the 4th Round in the 2012 Draft.

The exact formula for how compensatory picks is handed out is not public information. What is known is that if a team loses more compensatory free agents than they pickup, that team is eligible to receive compensatory selections.

Here's a little more about how the formula is worked out:

Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula. (via NFL.com)

Since last season, the Giants lost Kevin Boss, Barry Cofield, Steve Smith and picked up David Baas and Steve Weatherford.

For more on the Giants and their 2012 NFL Draft choices stay tuned to our StoryStream. For more on the Giants, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all your news, notes and updates.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants And Jonathan Martin Paired

In the latest SB Nation NFL mock draft by Ryan Van Bibber, the New York Giants have been given offensive tackle Jonathan Martin with their first round pick.

This would be amazing value if it were to happen. As Van Bibber correctly points out, Martin didn't have a great pro day at Stanford which may cause him to slide a bit on draft day. However, he's still considered by many the second or third-best tackle behind Matt Kalil and possibly Riley Reiff of Iowa.

The Giants would be able to fill an immediate need with Kareem McKenzie a free agent and not expected to return. Martin could step in right away as the starting right tackle and solidify an offensive line that is in transition.

New York would have to keep its fingers crossed that he slides by the New York Jets, who also have a gaping hole on the right side of their line with Wayne Hunter as the projected starter.

If he gets by Gang Green, the Giants would have legitimate hope of landing Martin with the final pick of the first night.

For more on the Giants, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York for all your news, notes and updates.

NFL Mock Draft 2012, New York Giants: Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

The New York Giants addressed their need for a tight end during the 2012 NFL free agency period, freeing the organization to look elsewhere in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

During his latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks predicts that the Giants will use their No. 32 first-round pick to select Bobby Massie, a 6-foot-6, 316-pound offensive tackle from Ole Miss.

Well why not get Eli Manning a potential starter at right tackle who also happens to be a fellow former Rebel? Massie is right on the verge of a first-round grade, and at 6-6, 316 pounds, he has outstanding size and reach by NFL standards. If the Giants surprise us and go running back, Miami's Lamar Miller and Boise State's Doug Martin are the names to keep an eye on.

Massie began the draft process as a likely third-rounder, but is climbing the draft boards due to his impressive physical gifts.

For more New York Giants news and updates, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For more NFL draft coverage, make it a point to look at Mocking The Draft as well for excellent coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The New York Giants recent free-agent signing of tight end Martellus Bennett has caused a shift in thinking for those doing NFL mock drafts. Rather than focusing on tight end, it is likely time to look elsewhere for what the Giants might do with the 32nd pick of the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft.

That shift in thinking is reflected in the latest NFL Mock Draft from SB Nation, released Monday morning. The popular pick recently has been Stanford tight end Coby Fleener. This time, however, SB Nation selected Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina for the Giants at No. 32.

SB Nation’s Ryan Van Bibber wrote:

“Brown’s draft stock is cooling. He has the athleticism desired in an outside linebacker, but people are starting to question whether or not he can actually make the tackles needed to go with the ability to get to the ball. Really, the Giants could go almost any direction with this pick. Offensive line depth would be helpful. A replacement for Brandon Jacobs is a need as well, but that is one they can fill in later rounds.”

Van Bibber may or may not be right about Brown. Most likely, however, he is correct in asserting that just about anything is on the table for the Giants at this point.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: Coby Fleener Remains The Choice

No surprise for the New York Giants in the latest version of the SB Nation 2012 NFL Mock Draft, which was released Monday morning. SB Nation has selected Stanford tight end Coby Fleener for the Giants.

Fleener has been a popular mock draft selection for the Giants, who lost both starter Jake Ballard and reserve Travis Beckum to torn ACLs during the Super Bowl. Both Todd McShay and Mel Kiper of ESPN selected Fleener for the Giants in their most recent mock drafts.

Related: Coby Fleener Prospect Profile

SB Nation writes:

“The only thing the Giants really lack on offense is a tight end capable of doing some damage in the middle of the field. Fleener gives Eli Manning a target on seam routes and someone to create mismatches in the middle of the field.”

The Giants need for a tight end could change once the NFL Free Agency period begins on Tuesday. Right now, however, that is a glaring hole for the defending Super Bowl champions.

— See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants

Mel Kiper And Todd McShay 2012 Mock Drafts Version 3.0: Giants Targeting Coby Fleener?

Now that the combine is in the books, NFL draft experts have sufficient information to unveil their most up-to-date mock drafts, and ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay have each recently released the third edition of their respective mock drafts.

The two typically offer varying opinions on most matters, but both foresee the New York Giants taking Coby Fleener - a tight end from Stanford - with the last pick of the first round.

Kiper: The Super Bowl was great for the party, but the Giants took a hit on the personnel side, where they lost a pair of tight ends to injury. Fleener has overtaken Dwayne Allen of Clemson as the top tight end on my board, and the Giants need one. He has great hands, will run a lot better than people think and knows how to work in a pro-style system, lined up on the line of scrimmage. He's a great red zone target. The Giants also need offensive line help, or could target a linebacker here, but Fleener makes a lot of sense.

McShay: If one of the top defensive tackles were available here the Giants might go that route, and I would also not be surprised to see them take a running back like Virginia Tech's David Wilson. However, tight end is a clear need area and Fleener should cement his status as the top player in the class with a good pro day workout on March 22. He gives good effort as a blocker and has the tools to improve in that area, and I think he'll surprise some people with his speed and elevate himself above Clemson's Dwayne Allen and Georgia's Orson Charles.

For more New York Giants news and updates, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For more NFL draft coverage, make it a point to look at Mocking The Draft as well for excellent coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

It its latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, the DraftTek computer simulation has selected Brandon Thompson, a defensive tackle from Clemson, with the 32nd and final selection of the first round.

Draft Tek Giants' analyst Bill Bliss does not seem to be in love with this choice:

"He won't net many sacks, but he's stong as an ox (35 bench reps at Combine) and will attract double teams, freeing up the other linemen to wreak havoc in the backfield. NYG has a solid set of DTs in Canty and Joseph, but behind that we have the untested Marvin Austin and not much else. The downside here is that this pick is admittedly a bit of a reach. Zach Brown, while an athletic freak, would be a backup to Boley, and compete for a spot that Jacquian Williams seems capable of filling. The Giants could address OT, but at No. 32, Bobby Massie is a bit of a reach. I may prefer a RB pick here: David Wilson or Lamar Miller, but with the depth at RB in this class, Thompson may be the best option."

To be honest, I am not in love with it, either. This pick feels a little bit like a "settle" for the Giants -- and you hate to settle with your first-round pick.

In this simulation, Zach Brown (OLB, North Carolina), Massie, wide receiver Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech) and running backs Lamar Miller (Miami) and David Wilson (Virginia Tech) and tight end Coby Fleener (Stanford) are all still on the board. Each of them seems to either fill more of a need for the Giants than Thompson, or be a higher-upside player you might be more willing to invest a first-round choice in.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

In recent years, Scott Wright of Draft Countdown has been one of the most accurate of the plethora of draft analsysts on the Internet. Wright is out with his latest mock draft today, and he has the New York Giants selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams with the 32nd pick of the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Adams is one of the top tackle prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft class. Wright says:

“Few organizations do a better job of building in the trenches than the Giants, but it may be time for an infusion of youth along the offensive line. Despite investing second and fourth round picks on Will Beatty and James Brewer in recent years neither has proven themselves to be a long-term solution at tackle, at least not yet. With that being the case it may be difficult to pass on Ohio St. OT Mike Adams, who could play either the left or right side, if he is still on the board. Adams clearly has all of the physical tools that you look for but doesn’t always play up to his immense talent level and has been plagued by bouts of inconsistency despite considerable experience against top competition. However, just like Nate Solder a year ago Adams is simply too talented to last very long on Draft Day and could come off the board much earlier than this.”

Adams’ draft stock has resembled the up-and-down stock market the past few months, and SB Nation’s Mocking The Draft examined his status. In a full scouting report, MTD had this to say about Adams:

"Mike Adams looks the part of a franchise left tackle. He has outstanding size, decent arm length and moves very well. It’s tough to grade Adams because he is wildly inconsistent and looks lost on the field at times. He also never really displayed a mean streak during the games I watched.

I think Adams could be coached up to be a pretty solid left tackle in the NFL. He had to play his senior year blocking for the erratic Braxton Miller, so some of the inconsistency and perceived confusion is excusable. Still, I would like to see him put together a full game and become more of a nasty blocker. Adams is worth a shot in the mid to late first round."

Does Adams Fit With The Giants?

There is no doubt that the Giants could use help on the offensive line, and taking an offensive lineman here is a definite possibility. Adams appears to have the talent, but he also appears to be a bit of a gamble because of his past inconsistency. If the Giants believe they can harness it, and that whatever issues he has had are simply a product of his youth, he might be a fit here.

-- See all of Big Blue View's prospect profiles

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is history, and mock drafts and big boards everywhere are being shuffled as a result. In the latest seven-round 2012 NFL Mock Draft from Draft Tek, released Wednesday, the results of that shuffling can be seen in the selections Draft Tek’s simulation assigned to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

With the 32nd and final pick of the first round, Draft Tek assigned Whitney Mercilus, defensive end, Illinois to the Giants. Draft Tek analyst Bill Bliss says:

"In most mocks, Mercilus has been going in the mid first, and he’s ranked #14 overall on Drafttek’s Big Board. Getting him at #32 would be an absolute steal. In 2012, Mercilus led nation with 16 sacks and 9 forced fumbles, earning the Ted Hendricks Award for best DE. That Sack:FF ratio reminds me a lot of our own Osi Umenyiora. While DE is not a glaring need for the Giants, having 3 Pro-Bowl caliber DEs on the field has helped to win 2 Super Bowls in 4 years. If Osi leaves, Mercilus could be his replacement and keep the Giants’ elite defensive line strong. "

Here are the rest of Draft Tek’s selections for the Giants:

Round 2 (64th overall) — Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Round 3 (95th overall) — Brian Linthicum, TE, Michigan State
Round 4 (127th overall) — Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
Round 5 (159th overall) — Tank Carder, OLB, TCU
Round 6 (190th overall) — Lance Lewis, WR, East Carolina
Round 7 (22nd overall) — Jerry Franklin, MLB, Arkansas

The most astounding thing about this draft to me, were it to play out this way? There is not a single offensive lineman selected in this draft class, and along with tight end those would appear to be the two areas the Giants most need to address this offseason.

— See Mocking The Draft for complete draft coverage. Prospect profiles can also be found at the National Football Post, an SB Nation partner.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Back To Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

After going a different direction the past few weeks in making a selection for the New York Giants, SB Nation has circled back to Stanford tight end Coby Fleener in its most recent 2012 NFL Mock Draft, released Monday.

SB Nation says of the Fleener selection with the 32nd and final pick of the first round:

“The Giants got a very solid season out of Jake Ballard before he tore his ACL in the Super Bowl. With all that in mind, it makes sense for the Giants to add a more athletic tight end to go alongside Ballard.”

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock is not certain that Fleener, or any other tight end in the 2012 draft class, is worthy of a first-round selection.

"I think the tight end class is a bad class. And that’s not good, given (Rob) Gronkowski and (Aaron) Hernandez and what we’ve seen in the NFL. Everybody’s looking for that next guy. I don’t have a first-round grade in the tight end class. I’ve got three second-round grades and then I’ve got kind of an abyss," Mayock said.

NFL Mock Draft 2012, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

In SB Nation's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Ryan Van Bibber used the No. 32 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft to select linebacker Dont'a Hightower for the New York Giants.

Hightower, a 6-foot-4, 260-pounder who recorded 85 tackles for national champion Alabama, left school after his junior season and is projected as a late-first or early-second round pick. Ranked No. 16 on the National Football Post's NFL Draft Big Board, Hightower is primarily viewed as a hard-hitting run-stopper, but has also shown decent skills in coverage.

Hightower finished his junior season with 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The strong campaign was enough to restore his draft stock after a torn ACL ended his 2009 season prematurely.

Along with tight end, linebacker is likely one of the primary positions Tom Coughlin's staff will look to upgrade during the draft.

For more New York Giants news and updates, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For more NFL draft coverage, make it a point to look at Mocking The Draft as well for excellent coverage.

Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft Version 2.0: New York Giants Select Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

In his latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Mel Kiper used the No. 32 pick in the first round to select tight end Dwayne Allen out of Clemson for the New York Giants.

Tight end became a need for New York when Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard both suffered torn ACLs during the team's Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots. The injuries are likely to leave Bear Pascoe as New York's lone healthy returning tight end when training camp arrives, which makes adding a tight end crucial -- and Allen might be the best available in the draft.

Allen is viewed as someone who can bring a lot of versatility to an NFL offense, especially as a pass-catcher. A strong player with impressive if not elite athleticism, Allen is described by Kiper as the best tight end in this year's draft. The National Football Post has Allen ranked as the No. 3 tight end and the No. 40 overall prospect, citing his talents as a natural pass-catcher but noting that his blocking needs improvement.

For more New York Giants news and updates, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For more NFL draft coverage, make it a point to look at Mocking The Draft as well for excellent coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

In the latest SB Nation 2012 NFL mock draft, SB Nation selected Dwayne Allen, tight end, Clemson, for the New York Giants with the 32nd and final pick of the first round.

Allen is a beast at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds. The Giants have a need at tight end as both starter Jake Ballard and H Back Travis Beckum suffered torn ACLs in the Super Bowl victory over New England. Neither is expected to be available for the beginning of the 2012 season, leaving the Giants with only Bear Pascoe at tight end.

While the Giants would love to fill holes on the defensive side of the ball, Allen might be too much value to pass up at the end of the first round. Last year, Allen caught 50 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns for Clemson on the way to its Orange Bowl bid.

If Mario Manningham leaves in free agency, this pick would make even more sense with the passing game being so important to Big Blue. If Allen is available when New York is on the clock, he could very well be headed to the city that never sleeps.

-- For more New York Giants news and updates, be sure to check out Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For more NFL draft coverage, make it a point to look at Mocking The Draft as well for excellent coverage.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

2012 NFL Mock Draft [Update]: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford To New York Giants

In its most recent 2012 NFL Mock Draft, released Monday, SB Nation selected Stanford tight end Coby Fleener for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The Giants, of course, have the 32nd and final pick of the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

The selection of Fleener (profiled here) is actually a prescient one.

The Giants lost starting tight end Jake Ballard and reserve tight end Travis Beckum to torn ACLs in their Super Bowl 2012 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday. The long-term, uncertain recovery process for both players makes tight end a position the Giants must address this offseason via either the draft or free agency.

Here is what SB Nation said about the selection of Fleener for the Giants:

“It’s hard to imagine the Giants offense getting another weapon in the passing game, but adding a sure-handed tight end would add another dimension to their offense.”

It may also be a situation where, if Fleener or another quality tight end is available, the Giants have little choice.

Todd McShay 2012 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson, To New York Giants

ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay released version 2.0 of his 2012 NFL Mock Draft on Friday. McShay has the New York Giants selecting Dwyane Allen, a tight end from Clemson, with the 31st overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Giants, of course, would prefer to have the 32nd pick as that would mean they were victorious in the 2012 Super Bowl. For now, though, they sit at No. 31 in the NFL Draft Order.

Of Allen, McShay says “given the players available, a seam-stretching tight end such as Allen would be a good option. He could open up some room for New York’s perimeter threats, and he also improved as an in-line blocker in 2011.”

The National Football Post lists Allen 42nd on its Big Board. In his scouting report, NFP’s Wes Bunting says Allen is “an NFL talent who can be used in a number of ways on an NFL offense.”

The Giants got a good season from tight end Jake Ballard in 2011, but have been disappointed by Travis Beckum. Upgrading at tight end is undoubtedly one of many ways the Giants could go on draft day.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Again Linked To OL Zebrie Sanders

As Super Bowl hype continues to build in Indiana, the rest of the NFL outside the New York Giants and New England Patriots has turned its sights to the NFL Draft.

SB Nation's latest 2012 NFL mock draft is one of several that have projected the Giants to select Zebrie Sanders, a 6-6, 307-pound offensive lineman from Florida State.

Part of the reason the Giants are picking where they are in the 2012 NFL Draft is because GM Jerry Reese has done such an amazing job building his defensive line. Now, the Giants must turn their attention to the offensive line. Sanders upgrades their right side, and could even learn the ropes to play on Eli Manning's blind side.

Sanders is viewed by Mocking The Draft as "a decent athlete with quick feet and good balance" who has "ability to protect the edge and anchor after initial contact." Despite playing right tackle at Florida State, Sanders is viewed as a versatile talent who could potentially shift to protecting a quarterback's blind side in the NFL.

His stock could be falling, though, after a poor performance during Senior Bowl practices. SB Nation's Alfie Crowand SI.com's Tony Pauline both criticized Sanders after a week during which he was reportedly one of the NFL Draft's biggest losers.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

2012 NFL Draft, New York Giants: Projected Pick, Zebrie Sanders, Stock Drops After Senior Bowl

On Saturday, SI.com's Inside The NFL columnist Don Banks projected that the New York Giants would select Florida State offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders with the No. 31-overall pick in his latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft. On Sunday, SI.com's Tony Pauline, also a Inside the NFL columnist, posted his risers and sliders from the 2012 Senior Bowl, and, unfortunately, Sanders was on the list of those players sliding.

"Sanders' tough week of practice continued through the game," said Pauline of Sanders, who's South team lost 23-13 in the All-Star exhibition game. "He was constantly off balance, rarely moved opponents off the ball run blocking and was pushed back into the pocket on several occasions. Sanders also displayed poor footwork in pass protection and little ability to slide out and protect the edge"

The Florida St. Seminole athletic website has Sanders listed at 6-foot-6 and 306-pounds.

For more updates on the New York Giants, check out Big Blue View.

2012 Senior Bowl: North Wins, 23-13

The 2012 Senior Bowl has concluded with the North All Stars defeating the South All Stars by a final score of 23-13. The game was placed in the same place it's been played at for 62 consecutive seasons – Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, and broadcast on NFL Network.

The the performers in the game were: Nick Foles of Arizona, who threw for 137 yards and a touchdown, completing 11 of his 15 passes and Joe Adams, the receiver from Arkansas, who caught eight balls for 133 yards, including a long of 36. Both play for the South.

The South All Stars were mired with turnovers and penalties, committing four and seven respectively. They were also limited to field goals, scoring only one touchdown in the game.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View. See SB Nation's Mocking The Draft for all your 2012 NFL Draft profiles and information.

2012 Senior Bowl: Kickoff Time, TV Schedule And More

After a week of intense practices attended by hundreds of NFL scouts and front office executives, the 2012 Senior Bowl week concludes on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. with an all-star exhibition between the North team and South team at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama that will be televised on the NFL Network.

The New York Giants have been projected in some mock drafts to select Florida State offensive lineman Zebrie Sanders, but SB Nation's Alfie Crow cautions that Sanders was one of five players whose NFL draft stock dropped the most this week.

Sanders just had an awful week going up against a slew of very good pass rushers on the South team. He was beaten up badly by Quinton Coples and Melvin Ingram day after day and even struggled handling a bull rush and some of the more powerful defensive ends.

Saturday's Senior Bowl is the 63rd annual edition of the game, and the 62nd straight season it has been played in Mobile.

- See SB Nation's Mocking The Draft for all your 2012 NFL Draft profiles and information.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: SI's Don Banks Picks Zebrie Sanders For Giants

When it comes to the 2012 NFL draft, the selection order is set for every team other than the New York Giants and the New England Patriots who play in Super Bowl XLVI next Sunday. However, the Giants will either pick at No. 31 or No. 32. Since the Patriots are favored to win the Super Bowl, most recent mock drafts have the Giants going on the clock at No. 31 and Sports Illustrated's most recent mock draft is no exception.

SI's Don Banks has the Giants making the 31st pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft and with that pick, Banks has the Giants selecting Florida State offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders.

The Giants could use an inside linebacker like Dont'a Hightower of Alabama, but I also think it wouldn't hurt to start looking for Kareem McKenzie's replacement at right tackle. And by the way, Giants fans, I'm not predicting a Patriots' Super Bowl win by slotting New York at No. 31, just going by New England's superior record at the moment.

SB Nation's Mocking the Draft says that Zebrie Sanders has the potential to be a very good pass protector.

Zebrie Sanders is the type of prospect that will gain a lot of attention as the season progresses. He is a decent athlete with quick feet and good balance. His ability to protect the edge and anchor after initial contact makes him a very good pass protector. While he plays right tackle at FSU, Sanders possesses the potential to shift to left tackle and hold the edge. His best attribute is his ability to velcro to a defender and lock him out away from his body. This will make him attractive to zone blocking teams.

For more updates on the New York Giants, check out Big Blue View.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants: Six-Round Mock Begins With Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

I am not a fan of multiple-round mock drafts, especially those that try to project what might happen into the later rounds. Especially with three months to go before the 2012 NFL Draft there are a great many variables that can make these inaccurate.

Still, they can be instructive in terms of what draft analysts see as a team’s needs. Draft Tek, which uses a computer simulation and its own Big Board of draft prospects to map out a potential draft, has released its latest six-round simulation.

Related: SI.com's Don Banks First Mock -- Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

Here are Draft Tek’s picks for the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants, who currently have the 31st pick.

Round 1 (31st overall) — Dont’a Hightower (MLB, Alabama)

Draft Tek says “It’s no secret, the Giants desperately need a long term MLB.” and Hightower is “needed in New York and quite frankly, would be a steal at pick 31.”

Round 2 (63rd) – Lamar Miller (RB, Miami)
Round 3 (94th) — Marcus Forston (DT, Miami)
Round 4 (126th) – Philip Blake (C, Baylor)
Round 5 (158th) - David Paulson (TE, Oregon)
Round 6 (190th) – Derek Dennis (G, Temple)

Your thoughts, Giants fans? I like using the middle rounds to add some offensive line depth, to be honest.

— See SB Nation’s Mocking The Draft for all your 2012 NFL Draft profiles and information.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

The New York Giants and their fans are not thinking about the 2012 NFL Draft yet. The Giants still have bigger fish to fry, like tacking the AFC champion New England Patriots in the 2012 Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

That said, the April 2012 NFL Draft is coming, and mock draft season is in full swing with 30 teams having nothing to do but look toward next season. In its latest mock draft, SB Nation has selected Georgia offensive guard Cordy Glenn for the Giants with the 31st pick.

Giants fans would rather have the 32nd pick, to be honest, since that would mean a Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. Getting Glenn, or a guy like him, is not a bad idea, though.

The Giants offensive line is aging and Eli Manning was sacked six times and hit nearly 20 other times Sunday against San Francisco. The line needs replenishing.

Glenn is a 6-foot-5, 320-pounder who can play tackle or guard. Mocking The Draft calls him “one of those rare prospects that possesses both the size and athletic skills to make an impact in the NFL.”

Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State To New York Giants

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has set the Inter-Google aflame today, and mock draft enthusiasts everwhere into a tizzy, releasing his first 2012 NFL Mock Draft [Insider Only].

When it comes to the New York Giants Kiper has identified the same offensive weakness that most other observers see — the offensive line. To rectify it, Kiper has the Giants selecting Florida State offensive tackle Zebrie Zanders with the 29th pick of the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Kiper: Mohamed Sanu Of Rutgers To Houston Texans With 26th Pick

Kiper says:

The Giants have done a fantastic job of coaching up this offensive line after some big changes heading into the season, but they could get younger and add some talent, and Sanders would be a solid fit. This offense is going to be dynamic if it can open holes for the run game and provide time for Eli Manning, so an investment in the offensive line is never a bad idea.

The National Football Post has the 6-foot-6, 307-pound Sanders rated 69th on its current Big Board. NFP’s Wes Bunting says Sanders “Possesses a good amount of upside as well and looks like a starter on either side of the O-line.”

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

In his just-released 2012 NFL Mock Draft CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang has the New York Giants opting for Stanford tight end Coby Fleener, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound pass catcher. SB Nation's Mocking the Draft has Fleener listed as the 57th best draft prospect in rankings last updated December 1.

Rang says:

The Giants are among the more talented teams in the league but their maddening inconsistency is sure to result in changes in the offseason. One obvious area in which the team could improve would be to add a tight end capable of making big plays down the middle. The 6-6, 250-pound Fleener averaged 20.2 yards per reception for Stanford in 2011, leading the team with 10 touchdowns. Considering the other weapons on this offense, Fleener could make an immediate impact in a similar role as what that the Patriots and Saints run with Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham.

Fleener caught 34 passes for Stanford, actually averaging 19.6 yards per catch to go along with the 10 TDs. Mocking the Draft calls Fleener "the latest in the growing number of big, lanky receiving tight ends. He's an extremely proficient vertical passing threat."

Does Fleener Fit With The Giants?

New York has waited three seasons for tight end/H-Back Travis Beckum to become a big-time weapon in its passing game. Beckum has a disappointing total of 26 regular-season catches in those three seasons, so that does not look like it will happen. Jake Ballard surprised this season with 38 catches in 14 games, and as solid as he was he is nowhere near being one of the league's more athletic, elite tight ends.

The Giants have other areas that need more immediate attention, such as the offensive line. GM Jerry Reese, however, nearly always chooses value over need. A tight end like Fleener could find a place with the Giants, so this is a possibility.

2012 NFL Mock Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The latest Sports Illustrated 2012 NFL Mock Draft has the New York Giants selecting Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower with the 26th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The 6-4, 260-pound Hightower, who contributed to Alabama's national championship with 83 tackles, four sacks and one interception, has not yet declared whether he intends to enter the draft after his junior season, but he is highly regarded by scouts.

Mocking The Draft's Top 100 NFL Draft Prospects list rated Hightower the 22nd-best prospect in this year's draft. The site notes that Hightower's power and versatility should allow him to contribute early in his career, though concerns about his athleticism somewhat stifle the optimism surrounding his ceiling. Hightower's game is designed to stuff the run, but he could struggle in pass coverage due to his lack of elite mobility.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

2012 NFL Draft, New York Giants Prospect Profiles: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

2012 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants Projected To Select Zach Brown

The New York Giants are projected to select North Carolina outside linebacker Zach Brown in the 2012 NFL Draft, according to SB Nation's 2012 NFL Mock Draft.