NFC Notes: Giants, Lions, Saints, & Vikings

Giants

• Dan Graziano of ESPN seems to think Shane Vereen will have a big role for the Giants in his first year in New York.
• According to Graziano, Vereen will likely see time as the team’s third-down running back and in pass-protection situations.
• However, Rashad Jennings appears to be the guy who will handle first-down and second-down situations.
• Graziano singles out CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as a player who will likely benefit from new DC Steve Spagnuolo’s system.

Lions

• Michael Rothstein mentions that no matter how the Lions’ defensive tackles play this season, they will need to address the position in next year’s draft because of free agency and the age of Haloti Ngata.
• Beyond that Rothstein considers wide receiver, running back, safety and linebacker to be other positions of need for them to address in the coming years.

Saints

• Mike Triplett expects the Saints to replace TE Jimmy Graham with a committee approach on offense.
• Triplett mentions that WR Brandin Cooks and RB C.J. Spiller could end up being the team’s top-two pass catchers this season.
• Triplett is still giving Nick Toon the “slight edge” to win the No. 3 receiver job this summer.
• New Orleans is reportedly “very high” on second-year WRs Brandon Coleman and Seantavius Jones.

Vikings

• Ben Goessling mentions that players such as Brian Robison, Scott Crichton and Anthony Barr could get more opportunities if teams double-team Everson Griffen this season.
• Goessling believes there will be an open competition for the safety position next to Harrison Smith between Antone Exum, Robert Blanton and Andrew Sendejo.