Giants Country

New York Giants Mailbag: Post Draft Special Edition

Let's check in with the readers to see what's on their minds.

Patricia Traina

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If you'd like to submit a question for the mailbag, please send it to nygiantsmaven@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and conciseness. While we try to answer all questions received, we reserve to consolidate if several people ask the same question.

Note: If you asked a draft-related question, obviously, at this point, we have the answers as to who they picked, so I didn't include them in this mailbag.

Thomas, who are you getting to replace Leo if you cut him? Robinson and Nunez-Roches aren't really known for being pass-rushers. If you're the Giants, you see if Leo is recovered from that neck issue and see if maybe a short-term extension can be worked out. I don't think I'd cut him.

What I think will happen is he will play on the tag and gamble on himself to have another big year in the hopes the Giants won't be in a position to franchise him again.

 What I hope will happen is he comes to his senses and realizes that he can probably get a lot more guaranteed money than the franchise tag affords him ($10.1 million) if he meets the Giants in their price range.

I think the picks underscored the areas where the team sorely lacked last season--speed on both sides of the ball, explosiveness, and run defense. As for what I learned about the whole draft unfolding, it's to expect the unexpected.

Got that covered with this article, Chris. 

I do think that played into it, yes. I also think that if Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll thought they needed all ten picks, they would have kept them.

What is your definition of "next step"? Double-digit wins? Multiple playoff wins? Super Bowl? If you're asking me will the Giants be better than last year, I do think so. That said, here's how I define being better. I do not think it necessarily ties into matching or topping last year's win total. I'd like to see fewer tight-scoring games. I'd like to see progress made against the NFC East, against whom the Giants have been awful. And if a payoff berth comes of that, or if a double-digit win season comes of that, even better.

Hard to say right now since I haven't seen what the coaches might be cooking up for the offense that's new and exciting. Also hard to predict if they'll be a top-five unit since we don't know about injuries mucking things up. Do I think the seeds are in place to produce a more effective offense? Absolutely. Is the sky the limit for the offense? Yes. But let's see how things unfold over the next several weeks and months and revisit the topic before the season.

I think this is a young man that can since the top off a defense. Again, I need to see how he's going to be deployed to sit here and say for sure what kind of impact he'll have, but I think if he stays healthy, he's definitely going to help open things up for the deep ball.

Jimmy, I know what you're getting at, but since when does the proximity of a school have to do with who a team should sign? That said, Carter signed with the Vikings as a UDFA. They might have had a better offer on the table (assuming the Giants even made an offer).

If I may quote one of my favorite tunes from The Monkees, "That Was Then, This is Now." It seems to me those projections are based on last year's performance and with the expectation that no one on that offensive line who is returning is going to be any better. Can we please see this unit perform in a few camp practices and preseason games before we rush to such a judgment?

I think Bobby McCain will probably line up alongside of Xavier McKinney as the starter, but truth be told, Love did so many things well for the team that maybe they have a committee approach. Again, let me get to some minicamp and OTA practices, and I'll be better able to give you some insight on that.

The competition will come down to Shane Lemieux, Ben Bredeson, and Josh Ezeudu. I think the ideal scenario might be for Ezeudu to be the long-term answer there, but it will all come down to the competition in camp and who stays healthy.

(From Raymond S.) Love the fact the Giants managed to manipulate the board to get the picks they wanted and surely needed to be competitive in the division. Do you think picking up their deep threat will jeopardize Darius Slayton’s spot?

Thanks for the question, Raymond. Never say never--I know the Giants just re-signed Slayton to a two-year deal, but as I mention on tomorrow's Locked On Giants podcast, I could see a scenario where the Giants look to trade one of their excess receivers if the competition pans out the way I think it will. Will it be Slayton? Hard to say at this point, as again, need to see how this all comes together.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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