Outside linebacker Gerris Wilkinson from Georgia Tech was drafted by the Giants in the third round in 2006. Wilkinson has yet to be able to solidify his role on the Giants, even though he’s impressed GM Jerry Reese with his natural ability.

The depature of Kawika Mitchell has opened an opportunity for Wilkinson to step up, that is if the Giants don’t feel they can find someone better this weekend to at least challenge Wilkinson for the starting job.

In the offseason, the Giants added veteran Danny Clark, who will be another challenge in Wilkinson’s path hoping to win a spot. Reese tells Paul Schwartz at the New York Post that the job is up for grabs.

“He’s going to have to beat out other players at that position,” Reese said of Wilkinson, “but he’s definitely going to get his shot to be a starter.”

The Giants have met with Quentin Groves of Auburn and Marc Ross, the Giants director of college scouting, attended Auburn’s Pro Day. The Giants have not visited with Jerod Mayo but Reese saw him at Tennessee’s Pro Day. Penn State’s Dan Connor could be there in the second round for the Giants.

In the final game of the regular season against the Patriots, Wilkinson took over for the injured Mitchell, making four tackles. In the NFC wild card playoff game he had eight tackles against the Buccaneers, making an impression on the front office and his teammates

Wilkinson feels he’s up to the task to take over the position next season.

“They brought me here to be a starter, I feel,” he said. “That’s what they’re looking for me. It just feels like I’ve had some experiences, I’ve had some time to grow as a player, I had some time to get used to the system, so I just feel like it’s time to do it.”

I think if Mayo is available, the Giants would be wise to take him. If nothing else it will provide the Giants with more depth and added incentive for Wilkinson to step up, and insurance in case he doesn’t. I can also see the Giants taking Connor with their second round pick if he falls to them.

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Ralph Vacchiano on his blog for the New York Daily News ranks the Giants draft needs in the following order:

1. Safety
2. Linebacker
3. Receiver
4. Cornerback
5. Offensive tackle
6. Defensive tackle
7. Tight end

Reggie Smith, out of Oklahoma, would appear to be the Giants most realistic target at safety in the first round. His scouting report can be found on NFL Draft Countdown. AOL Fanhouse predicts the Giants taking the safety out of Miami, Kenny Phillips.

Phillips is the best available safety, but I am not certain he will still be there when it comes time for the 32nd pick of the draft.

Jerod Mayo, ILB out of Tennessee, and Dan Connor, OLB out of Penn State, could be linebackers the Giants target if they decide to go that route with their first pick. Mayo’s scouting report is here, Connor’s is here.

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The Giants have allowed several free agents to walk already. LB Kawika Mitchell signed with the Bills, SLB Reggie Torbor headed to Miami, and Gibril Wilson joined the Raiders.

The Giants tendered SS James Butler at $1.417M with 2nd-round pick as compensation. Giants backup QB Jared Lorenzen, “The Hefty Lefty”, was tendered at $927,000 with no compensation. The Giants have been connected to Trent Green recently, seeking a more experienced back up option for Eli Manning.

The other unrestricted free agents for the Giants are DT Russell Davis, DT William Joseph, and RB Derrick Ward. 11-year veteran, LS Ryan Kuehl is expected to retire.

The Giants top needs appear to be wide receiver, safety, and left offensive tackle. The Giants need a complementary receiver to go along with Plaxico Burress. Amani Toomer, while a key player down the stretch for the Giants, is not getting any younger and has to begin to regress at some point.

The departure of Wilson leaves the Giants with hole at safety. Veteran safety Sammy Knight is meeting with the Giants this week. Michael Johnson might be an internal option, or they could look for a later round pick in the draft. There are a number of good defensive players available. Miami free safety Kenny Philips, or Jamar Adams, a strong safety out of Michigan could be available to the Giants in the second round.

Players who are projected to be available for the Giants in the first round are Dan Connor, an OLB out of Penn State and Pat Sims, a DT out of Auburn. Rich O’Callaghan at Giants 101 targets USC LB Keith Rivers, Cal WR DeSean Jackson, Tenn St CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, South Florida CB Mike Jenkins, and Indiana CB Tracy Porter.

David Diehl made the move to left offensive tackle last season when Luke Petitgout was released. He did an admirable job, but the Giants may look for a more agile tackle to beat out would be pass rushers. Left tackle and quarterback could be one of the few positions that GM Jerry Reese explores free agency to fill.

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