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We are halfway through the 2012 NFL season, but it is never too early to talk about the 2013 NFL Draft. With that in mind, Mel Kiper of ESPN is out with his midseason draft needs for every NFL team. Here is what he says about the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants:
Top emerging needs: CB, DE, LB, OL, TE
Analysis: Over the past couple of years, I've had the offensive line as a need for the Giants, but the sum of the parts has always been better than the individual talent, and the coaching staff has demonstrated again and again they can get the line to work. That's happened again in 2012, for the most part. The offense remains among the NFL's best, and Eli Manning's stretch of good health remains intact. So this time I'll say they should look elsewhere, and if the draft were tomorrow, I'd say help at corner and another pass-rusher or linebacker would be good. Teams simply throw too easily on the Giants' corners, and we can't presume Osi Umenyiora will be back. So that's where I'll start.
Valentine's View: That seems like a lot of needs for a team that just won a title and is now 6-3 with a solid leg up on the 2012 NFC East crown. You can make an argument that Kiper is right on all counts, however. The corners haven't been great, aside from Jason Pierre-Paul the defensive ends are aging, the offensive line needs youth -- especially at right tackle, middle linebacker and the strong side could use an upgrade, and tight ends are at a premium these days.
Your thoughts' Giants' fans?