With the 19th pick in the NFL Draft, the Giants continued their efforts of developing a stealth offensive line by drafting former Syracuse lineman Justin Pugh.

With prospects deliberating about where the first-rounder would fit in, it is apparent the G-Men consider Pugh the future at right tackle.

The Giants had seven picks in this weekend's draft, adding depth to a number of key positions, including offensive and defensive line, running back and the secondary. Of course, a position that remained untouched was linebacker.

From the top:

From USA TODAY Sports:

Maybe not a buzzy choice, but it's hard to question the track record of GM Jerry Reese. Pugh played tackle for the Orange but may start out at guard in New York. The Giants' O-line has been getting long in the tooth, and Pugh offers a long-term (if not immediate) solution. He'll have excellent mentors in OL David Diehl and OG Chris Snee, either of whom might be eventually displaced by Pugh. Starting LG Kevin Boothe, who recently got just a one-year deal, should also have his antennae up.

In Rotoworld's Evan Silva's two-round mock draft, the analyst projects the Giants to nab offensive guard Chance Warmack and cornerback Darius Slay in the first two rounds.

Silva's prediction of a guard goes along with the theme of addressing an aging line. Warmack is not the prototypical name that has been linked to the Giants, though. Other mock drafts have tended to connect the team with offensive tackles -- including Warmack's former teammate at Alabama, D.J. Fluker, and Menelik Watson out of Florida State.

The Boothe signing was more of a housekeeping move. It doesn't improve the line, just maintains it.?The line, which was dead last in rushing in the Giants' Super Bowl run of 2011, finished 14th overall in YPG (116.4) and seventh in YPC (4.6) last season. They also allowed a league-low 20 sacks. Not bad, but it there were times when they were manhandled. They need to more physical. From Jimmy Kempski:

In an ideal world, Boothe is a versatile backup, although a great one, who has proven he can be an effective starter in the NFL. But he?s also a player that you?re going to look to upgrade if you have the chance, and I don?t see this re-signing as a reason why the Giants shouldn?t look at the OL as an option for an early pick. If the season began today, the Giants? OL would look like this (age by the end of the season in parentheses):

?Kevin is a pro?s pro and we?re happy to have him back,??Reese said on Giants.com today. ?His return will provide experience, versatility, competition and depth on our offensive line.?

Boothe is pleased to be back as well....

https://twitter.com/KimJonesSports/status/316201061440438272

From Rotoworld: Along with LT Will Beatty, Boothe is the second in-house lineman the Giants have re-signed this offseason. The G-Men could return their entire offensive line for 2013 depending on what they do with RT David Diehl. Boothe underwhelmed as a pass blocker last season, but was sturdy in the run game and wasn't penalized. Boothe will turn 30 in July.

Boothe, who started all 16 games a season ago for Big Blue, graded out as one of the league's premier run-blockers. Adding to the need, the Giants do not have an in-house candidate to replace him.

Cruzin' away?

Of the five most recently updated mocks, three project New York to draft an offensive tackle. Both NFL.com's Bucky Brooks and CBS Sports' Will Brinson predict former Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker will be a member of Big Blue at the end of April.

Tony Pauline of USA Today Sports went down a similar path, though instead of Fluker he expects the Giants to bolster the offensive line with one of the combine's most impressive athletes, Lane Johnson of Oklahoma.

Carlos Rogers is threatening to perform Victor Cruz's salsa. Jim Harbaugh is taking jabs at the Giants' coaching staff.

But how about what's going to take place on the field. Here's three key match-ups to watch for:

Coach Coughlin has yet to officially declare Will Blackmon the KR/PR but this injury would likely expedite that process. It is hard to imagine that the Giants would take Reynaud across the country today just to return kicks with a bad hammy.

It is worth noting that a (likely minor) hamstring injury placed fan-favorite Victor Cruz on IR. One could assume that a disappointing Reynaud is in danger of a similar fate.

Johnson, made a splash as a rookie in 2009, pick-6ing Tony Romo in the Week 2 Sunday Night Showdown. Johnson suffered a slight demotion in 2010 upon the return of a healthy Aaron Ross. His season is now over following knee surgery.

Hall, as you might remember, was with the Giants in camp this summer. I am a bit surprised that the Giants opted to add him instead of a running back, receiver, or DB. A popular topic this summer was the crowded DE situation and though Kiwanuka has been lost, the four men tandem rounded out by Dave Tollefson has been enjoying great success. It did not seem like a project DE was a pressing concern.

It would seem that Kevin Booth has a chance to dodge IR if he can stay off the training room table and in the practice field trenches.

Kiwanuka's trip to IR has spared KR Darius Reynaud...for now. The Giants now have until WEEK 9 to decide if they want to hang on to the mending Boothe (a stalwart reser

OT Will Beatty. who has been out since Week Two with a broken bone in his foot, is out of his walking boot and may resume practicing in the next few weeks. Beatty may not be activated until mid-November, which, incidentally is the return date set by the doctors back when the injury occurred. Beatty spoke with reporters this week....

[audio:http://snygiants.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/10-18-ol-william-beatty.mp3|titles=10.18 OL William Beatty]

Victor Cruz?s demotion today appears to be similar. Openly stating last night that he expected to return within the week, Cruz will now be sitting for the rest of the 2010 campaign.

A preseason star, Cruz had not yet made an impact during the regular season. His keen ball handling skills and decent speed were amplified by the level of competition he faced during the later minutes of preseason contests and have yet to be displayed when it counts. With hard work he can return with necessary polish for the 2011 season.