Do the New York Giants need to draft a tight end in the 2011 NFL Draft later this month? If so, do they need to use an early pick on an all-around, every-down type tight end? Do they need to use a late-round pick on a guy who would be a pure blocking tight end?
The answers to all of these questions depend on -- what else? -- the answers to other questions.
Do they expect incumbent tight end Kevin Boss, who can be a free agent, to come back? Do they want him back? I think the answers are yes and yes, but if they are not then that likely puts the Giants in the market for a tight end in the early portion of the draft.
If Boss is back there is still a question about a second, or third, tight end. The Giants could really use a mauling blocker as a backup tight end. Travis Beckum will never block well enough to be more than an H-Back type. Bear Pascoe could be that guy, but he spent most of last season at fullback after Madison Hedgecock went down with an injury.
Do the Giants draft a fullback and move Pascoe back to his natural tight end position? That seems logical, and it seems as though indications are that is the tentative plan. If they leave Pascoe at fullback they likely need to use a late-round choice in an effort to find a block-first tight end.
Analysis: Something needs to be done here.