Giants' general manager Jerry Reese spent the months prior to the draft insisting that the team would not select from need but value.

He insisted there was no pressing need to replace wide receiver Plaxico Burress because the Giants were pleased with the quality of wide receivers still on the roster.

Was it massive denial?

The Giants conducted a reasonably sound draft, selecting nine players who all appear to have a chance to be around awhile, and if it wasn't for Reese's heated protests to the contrary, one might come to the rational conclusion that the process was custom-designed to fit their various needs.

Not only did they take two quality wide receivers in the first and third rounds (Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina in the first, Ramses Barden from Cal-Poly in the third) but wound up with an outside linebacker (Clint Sintim of Virginia, clearly a need position), an offensive left tackle (William Beatty of Connecticut) a tight end (Travis Beckum of Wisconsin) and running back Andre Brown of North Carolina State.

The "need" concept took a rest in the fifth round when the team selected Sam Houston State quarterback Rhett Bomar, who transferred two years ago from the University of Oklahoma.

Reese steadfastly insisted that the team's selections were based on value.

"When we made our first-round pick (Nicks)," he said, "we had narrowed our choices down to four players. Only Nicks was a receiver, and he had the highest grade."

The other four, reportedly, were defensive end Connor Barwin, linebacker Rey Maualuga and cornerback Darius Butler.

Additionally, the much-ballyhooed trade involving the Giants and Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Braylon Edwards failed to materialize. As late as midway through the first round, reports circulated that a deal had finally been struck -- the Giants would give one of their two second-round picks, a fourth and a conditional pick in 2010 in return for the former Browns' first-round pick.

"We were never close to a trade, that one or any other," said Reese. "We were open to all suggestions and offers but nothing came of it."

There were other rumors that the Giants were interested in Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Cincinnati's Chad Ocho Cinco.

Sintim played for former Giants' defensive coordinator Al Groh as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, and the Giants indicated that he would step in on the strong side to compete with veteran linebackers Danny Clark and Chase Blackburn.

Whether Reese was obfuscating the reality and did draft for need, or whether the pieces just fell into place and succeeded in shoring up needs on a pure value level, the Giants came up with players they needed. Even for a team thought to be strong at all positions and one of the contenders in the NFC, there should be room for many of them on the final roster; if not, the practice squad beckons.

BEST PICK: The enormous size of WR Ramses Barden, whose hands measure 10 3/4 inches, might turn out to be the team's most courageous selection. A clip of his game highlights on YouTube showed eight distinct "fade" patterns which he turned into touchdowns, and with long arms to go with his height and big hands, he may well turn into the "new Plaxico" in red zone pass plays.

COULD SURPRISE: TE Travis Beckum is far more a receiver than a blocker. As such, he might be the answer to a need since starter Kevin Boss has turned into a quality blocker and, at 6-5 and 265, is a reasonably effective receiver. The two tight ends behind him, however, leave much to be desired. Both Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson can easily be replaced, and both might be if Beckum works out and a free agent (perhaps Lee Vickers) catches the coaches' attention.

A closer look at the Giants' picks:

Round 1/29 -- Hakeem Nicks, WR, 6-1, 210, North Carolina

Nicks should step in and compete for playing time, if not a starting position, since both starters from last season, Burress and veteran Amani Toomer, are gone. He has size, speed and reliable hands. He suffered a pulled hamstring during workouts at the Scouting Combine and as a result of the ensuing "down time" gained weight. That put him on the suspicious list with most scouts; perhaps it was to the Giants' benefit.

Round 2/45 -- Clint Sintim, OLB, 6-3, 256, Virginia

Sintim played outside linebacker in the Cavaliers' 3-4 defense and Giants' coordinator Bill Sheridan, a former linebackers coach until Steve Spagnuolo got the head coaching job in St. Louis, feels that suits the ideas of how the Giants intend to use him. He will play an "up defensive end" role on sure pass situations and will join the pass-rush rotation system.

Round 2/60 -- William Beatty, LT, 6-5, 310, Connecticut

Beatty appears headed for competition with reserves Adam Koets and Guy Whimper as the backup to the two starters, but Reese and college scouting boss Marc Ross feel he has true left tackle capabilities. For the moment, however, he might be targeted as the emergency replacement for right tackle Kareem McKenzie, who is subject to back spasms.

Round 3/85 -- Ramses Barden, WR, 6-6, 229, Cal-Poly

Tall and talented, with giant hands and 37-inch arms, Barden is considered the eventual replacement for the departed Plaxico Burress. He should be used immediately in red zone situations and might turn into one of Eli Manning's favorites when he wants to throw the fade pattern.

Round 3/100 -- Travis Beckum, TE, 6-3, 243, Wisconsin

With a need for a pass-catching tight end, the Giants turned to Beckum, once a defensive end and outside linebacker. He has good hands and is tough to bring down after a catch; will run the short patterns across the middle and is looked upon as an athletic possession-type receiver who needs to hone his blocking skills.

Round 4/129 -- Andre Brown, RB, 6-0, 225, North Carolina State

Brown is a power inside runner and could be the replacement for Derrick Ward, who filled that role until he signed with Tampa Bay during the UFA period. Brown had a career rushing average of 4.85 yards per carry.

Round 5/151 -- Rhett Bomar, QB, 6-2, 224, Sam Houston State

Bomar started as a glittering recruit by Oklahoma and as a redshirt freshman was named All-Big 12 quarterback. But then a series of infractions caused him to be suspended from the team, at which point he abandoned his scholarship and enrolled at Sam Houston State. Has a ton of talent but must find a coach who can channel it.

Round 6/200 -- DeAndre Wright, CB, 5-11, 198, New Mexico

Had two injured shoulders last season but still possesses great speed and toughness. Giants will consider him a medical rehab project but if he reaches peak condition he could be a surprise. Very raw and unpolished; must show considerable improvement to even make it as a special teamer.

Round 7/238 -- Stoney Woodson, CB, 5-11, 195, South Carolina

The final selection of the day for the Giants, Woodson showed just enough ability to earn a starting spot on the Gamecocks' roster. Has 4.5 speed.