The NFL Draft is where the future of a franchise is decided. A good draft pick can turn a team around (see Peyton Manning and Tom Brady), but a bust can set your team back significantly (see Ryan Leaf and Tim Couch).
For each of the three New York teams, the draft will be vital to their future success. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets will look to add players that will aid in the playoff runs next year. The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants will look to fill some holes left by free agency.
With the sixth overall pick, the Jets are in a position to add an immediate impact player. Vernon Gholston, a linebacker/defensive end out of Ohio State, would be an ideal fit in their 3-4 defense. However, if Darren McFadden were to fall that far, the Jets may be tempted to take him even though running back isn't a pressing need for them. Also, if McFadden were to fall, the Jets could entertain trading down with a team such as the Cowboys, who appear to be enamored with the Arkansas back. This would allow the Jets to add an extra pick and address the wide receiver position in the late first round with someone such as California speedster DeSean Jackson or Michigan State's Devin Thomas.
Going into the draft, the Bills have two glaring holes: they need to add a legitimate red-zone threat at receiver and they need to take a cornerback to address their secondary issues. This year's wideout class doesn't have that elite, can't-miss prospect a la Calvin Johnson of last year, but it is a relatively deep class overall. With the No. 11 overall pick, it may be a reach to take a receiver that early. However, a top-end cornerback prospect such as Leodis McKelvin should be available for the Bills. This would allow them to get value for that pick, and then use their second-round pick to target a player such as Limas Sweed, a 6-4 receiver out of Texas. For all you Bills fans, who knows, maybe the draft gods will be smiling down upon you and management can pull of a miracle trade in which they package multiple picks for disgruntled Bengals receiver Chad Johnson. Now that would be something.
Despite coming off a Super Bowl victory, the Giants are far from being satisfied with their team. Free agency cost them safety Gibril Wilson and linebacker Kawika Mitchell, and they will likely look to address both positions within the first two rounds. With a relatively weak safety class, the Giants would be hard-pressed to pass up Miami's Kenny Phillips if he is available at No. 31. Also, with the recent trouble concerning Jeremy Shockey, it will be interesting to see if the Giants look at a tight end earlier than one would expect.