Jerry Reese hasn’t hit the ground running in his new job as general manager of the Giants. In fact, trading for running back Reuben Droughns and signing free agent linebacker Kawika Mitchell are the only noteworthy additions Reese has made to the roster since taking over as general manager three months ago. Reese has had the quietest spring of any general manager in the NFL.

That makes this weekend’s NFL draft particularly important. The Giants have made the playoffs two years in a row for the first time since Bill Parcells was their coach, yet few Giant fans feel good about the state of the franchise. The Giants faded down the stretch and lost their best player to retirement, and an examination of their roster makes them look less like a perennial playoff contender than a franchise that desperately needs to add young talent.

Even though the Giants have signed Mitchell, linebacker is the position where the roster needs the most help. Reese cut two of last year’s linebackers (LaVar Arrington and Carlos Emmons), and a third, Brandon Short, is a free agent unlikely to return. The Giants showed interest in free-agent linebacker Adalius Thomas before the New England Patriots signed him, and they still might be interested in linebacker Lance Briggs, the Chicago Bears’ franchise player. But the draft is the best route because Big Blue probably won’t meet either the Bears’ trade demands or the contract demands of Briggs’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

With all of that in mind, Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny is probably the best-case scenario for the Giants’ first-round pick, which is the 20th overall. Posluszny was considered a likely Top 10 pick as a junior, but after suffering a serious knee injury in the Orange Bowl in January 2006, he looked a step slower during his senior season. If the Giants’ team doctors have cleared Posluszny’s knee, Reese would love to draft the player, and if the Giants’ starting trio of linebackers features Posluszny, Mitchell, and Antonio Pierce next season, that would be an improvement from last year.

The Giants also need a left tackle to protect Eli Manning’s blind side after releasing longtime starter Luke Petitgout. The only left tackle who looks ready to start on opening day is Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas, who will be gone within the first five picks. But if the Giants are willing to draft a left tackle who might take a little longer to develop, Joe Staley of Central Michigan would be an excellent fit. Staley is a very good athlete who started his college career as a tight end, and although he still needs to work on his pass-blocking technique, a good NFL line coach should be able to turn him into an excellent player.

The problem with using a firstround pick on Staley is that it’s hard to envision him being ready to play against the Dallas Cowboys in the September 9 opener. Last year Staley played against opponents like Eastern Kentucky and Western Michigan, and the adjustment to blocking NFL defensive ends will take some time. Drafting a small-school player like Staley would be a sign that the Giants are looking more at long-term potential than immediate return on their investment.

If his past work with the Giants is any indication, Reese believes in drafting small-school players. Reese has previously served as a college scout and the Giants’ director of player personnel, and he played an important role in former general manager Ernie Accorsi’s decisions to draft small-school players such as defensive end Osi Umenyiora of Troy State and running back Brandon Jacobs of Southern Illinois.

But with coach Tom Coughlin facing a win-or-else season, he’ll want Reese to draft players who can contribute immediately. If that’s the goal, a wide receiver would be the best fit in the first round. Amani Toomer is 32 years old and coming off a season-ending knee injury, and it’s hard to imagine him being anything more than a role player in 2007. Last year the Giants thought their second-round pick, Sinorice Moss, would develop into a starter alongside Plaxico Burress, but he hardly got on the field, finishing the season with just five catches for 25 yards. If Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn or LSU receiver Dwayne Bowe is available with the 20th pick, the Giants will consider taking him.

The Giants’s second-round pick is the 51st overall, and players who could draw their interest at that point include tackles Ryan Harris of Notre Dame and Justin Blalock of Texas, wide receivers Steve Smith of USC and Sidney Rice of South Carolina, and cornerbacks Aaron Ross of Texas and Marcus McCauley of Fresno State.

In the later rounds, Reese is likely to take some players few fans have heard of. Reese’s affection for small-school players might come from his own experience as a defensive back at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Giants fans have been patient through a slow start to Reese’s tenure, but if they don’t like his choices this weekend, a vocal contingent of Giants fans at Radio City Music Hall will let him know.

Mr. Smith is a writer for FootballOutsiders.com.