Without Michael Strahan, the Giants won't be the same - on the field, or in fantasy.

Here is how various individual defensive players are affected:

Justin Tuck, DL

Tuck enjoyed a sensational 2007 even though he didn't start a single game. Alternating between DE and DT, Tuck got onto the field enough to post 10 sacks and 48 solo tackles. With Strahan gone, Tuck should get a chance to start, although you would think Mathias Kiwanuka will alternate some between DE and SLB. Assuming that the Giants start Tuck, he becomes a Top 10 DL in all formats. It's not because he'll get a lot more sacks; in fact, without the threat of Strahan nearby, Tuck's totals might go down a little. But Tuck piled up tackles last year, and with more playing time, he could be a Top 5 DL in tackles.

Mathias Kiwanuka, DL / LB?

Kiwanuka was just learning SLB when he broke his leg in 2007, his second season after a year at DE. It's always been suspected that Kiwanuka would return to DE when Strahan retired. We'll see what the Giants do, but from here, it seems awkward to try to replace two starting LBs (Kiwanuka and WLB Kawika Mitchell) in the same season. I'm assuming Tuck will start, and Kiwanuka will split time at the DE and SLB positions. As such, his sack totals should rise a little, thus enhancing his value.

Osi Umenyiora, DL

I guess we'll find out now how much of Umenyiora's success was because Strahan manned the opposite end. Tuck, however, should remain a threat, and Umenyiora's on the rise. I'm anticipating next to zero change in what we've predicted. However, of the two, I would now take Tuck over Umenyiora in Tackle leagues. In Big Play and Balanced leagues, Osi is still the choice.

In our next Draft Kit update a week from now, we'll show the exact impact of Tuck's expected ascension to the starting lineup.