New York Giants: Find Playmakers for Eli

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

The New York Giants were an afterthought in 2007, but made their way to a Super Bowl title. In 2008, the Giants found a way to earn home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, only to last one game. Their playoff loss to Philadelphia was certainly disappointing, but the fact that they earned the top seed after the drama they went through was impressive in itself. Now, it's time for the Giants to re-tool, reload, and get back to the Super Bowl.

Free Agents: CB Kevin Dockery (RFA), S James Butler (UFA), K John Carney (UFA), RB Brandon Jacobs (designated franchise player), DE Jerome McDougle (UFA), CB R.W. McQuarters (UFA), OL Grey Ruegamer (UFA), LB Rich Scanlon (UFA), WR Amani Toomer (UFA), RB Derrick Ward (UFA), QB Anthony Wright (UFA), DE Renaldo Wynn (UFA)

Draft Picks: 1 (29); 2 (45, 60); 3 (91); 4 (127); 5 (158); 6 (189); 7 (220)

Needs

1. Wide receiver. Even if Plaxico Burress is allowed to return, the Giants could use another playmaker at the position. Toomer is not expected back, which leaves a second hole. Steve Smith caught 57 last year, but was never a consistent threat. Same for Domenik Hixon, who is a solid but unspectacular receiver. With Burress gone, Eli Manning looked lost at times, especially in the playoff loss to Philadelphia. Ideally, the Giants find a way to pry Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals, but at the very least, you can expect them to use a high pick on a receiver. The reality is that they can't afford to try getting through another season without more than one reliable target for Manning to throw to. Getting Burress back would be nice, but it might do more harm than good in the locker room.

2. Cornerback. The Giants have some quality players at corner, but they're not getting any younger. Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are good, but McQuarters and Sam Madison are both well into their 30s. Unless the Giants find a way to upgrade their cornerbacks, it's going to be increasingly difficult for them to cover teams that have any depth at receiver.

3. Defensive tackle. I am probably being picky here, but the Giants could use a bit more depth up the middle. I keep thinking about how the Panthers abused the defensive front in Week 15, and figuring they could at least add a couple more big bodies to the mix.

Tracking NFL Free Agents

Brandon Jacobs, Running back
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY GIANTS
The Latest: The non-exclusive tag means that Jacobs is still able to sign elsewhere, but would cost two first-round picks as compensation. He'll spend at least one more season in New York because of that.

Bill Kostroun, AP

Chris Johnson, Cornerback
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - 4 years, terms not announced
The Latest: Oakland wasted no time locking up Johnson with a multi-year deal, and now can focus all its attention on making sure Nnamdi Asomugha is lined up at the Raiders' other cornerback spot.

Paul Sakuma, AP

Karlos Dansby, Linebacker
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY CARDINALS
The Latest: For the second straight season, the Cardinals used the franchise tag on Dansby. He can still negotiate with other teams, but likely will spend next season in the desert - whether he wants to or not.

Ross D. Franklin, AP

Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 14 starts, 51 tackles (41 solo), 8.5 sacks
The Latest: The Titans promised Haynesworth that they wouldn't franchise him for the second straight year, so he'll become a free agent.

Mark Humphrey, AP

Kerry Collins, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Regular Season Stats: 16 games played (15 starts), 2,676 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, 80.2 QB rating
The Latest: Despite his age (36), Collins feels he is in line for a big contract -- comparable to whatever Kurt Warner receives.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 117 tackles (85 solo), 3.5 sacks, 3 INTs
The Latest: The franchise tag rules mean that Lewis would become the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history at more than $11 million if the Ravens went that route. Baltimore would prefer to re-sign Lewis.

Rob Carr, AP

Terrell Suggs, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 68 tackles (53 solo), eight sacks, two INTs
The Latest: Suggs suggested that he, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott all take hometown discounts and stay in Baltimore, so he wants to be there. He's a cheaper franchise tag option than Lewis.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Stats: 16 starts, 82 tackles (61 solo), 1.5 sacks
The Latest: Is there room for Scott in Baltimore? With the franchise tag likely landing on Terrell Suggs and the Ravens doing all it takes to sign Ray Lewis, it doesn't look like Scott is a priority.

G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 92 catches for 904 yards, four touchdowns
The Latest: The only way Housh returns is if the Bengals franchise him. Otherwise, he'll sign a lucrative contract elsewhere -- possibly with Philadelphia, where he's already expressed interest in playing.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
Regular Season Stats: 15 starts, 40 tackles (33 solo), one interception
The Latest: Asomugha's numbers are skewed by opponents' fear of throwing anywhere near him. The Raiders will use the franchise tag on him if they need to.

Greg Trott, Getty Images