No matter what happens in the first round of the NFL draft in 2021, only ten players can be taken before the Giants pick at number 11. When so many draft fanatics (you know who you are) exclaim, “He won there is not at number 11!” When one of these Mock Draft exercises is performed, it is sometimes an accurate sentiment and often not.
Take a deep breath for those who cannot gauge this player or the player on the board when the Giants are on the clock. At least four backs must be taken in the top 10 picks. After that, almost everything goes.
The thoughts here are that the Giants are on the verge of improving the league’s 31st position attack and that the emphasis will improve in the early stages of this three-day event.
For this Giants Mock Draft 3.0, we used the Pro Football Network simulator for the second consecutive week, after going with the Pro Football Focus simulator for Mock Draft 1.0. Ready, set, select:
Round 1 (No. 11) – WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Previous choices: Waggel; RAND Azeez Ojulari, Georgia.
Why a wide receiver after opening the vault in the free agency for Kenny Golladay? Waddle is a completely different cat, the closest to Tyreek Hill, ball-in-hands, explosive, in this concept. In this simulation, Kyle Pitts, the attackers, Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater, the extensions Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith and the corner line Patrick Surtain II were all gone and not available to the Giants. There is talk of tackling Christian Darrisaw and linebacker Micah Parsons, but Waddle wins out, based on the skill he offers and the strong desire to surround Daniel Jones with as many weapons as possible.
Round 2 (No. 42) – EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Previous choices: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa; WR Kadarius Toney, Florida.
Inject ‘What an NFL Fit’ looks like into the formula and Phillips’ physique could result. This 6 foot 6, 260 pound edging grid contains all the goods. He had eight bags in 2020 and can look like an animal on the field. Why does he fall in the second round? He has a funky medical history that needs to be thoroughly researched. He actually retired from football after his second concussion at UCLA before judging and transferring again. The Giants need what Phillips has to offer and take the gamble.
Round 3 (No. 76) – OL Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa
Previous choices: DL Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech; OL Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater.
This tall (6-foot-8) pack can greatly add to its 311-pound frame and is an athlete. He made 14 starts at the right onslaught in 2019 (he did not play in 2020 when his program was scheduled for a spring) and offers development potential and rookie competition for Matt Peart.
Round 4 (No. 116) – OL Kendrick Green, Illinois
Previous choices: Green; DT Tyler Shelvin, LSU.
Offensive lineouts? Why not? Green plays in the interior and can emerge on the next level as a rough and nasty guard. If we do not forget, Will Hernandez is entering his contract for the last year and will be selected by this Giants coach in 2020.
Round 6 (No. 196 overall) – S JaCoby Stevens, LSU
Previous choices: EDGE Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo; Stevens.
Is he too big a lineout player or too big a safety? The Giants will hand over the puzzle to their brain defense coordinator, Patrick Graham. Stevens is doing his best work closer to the line of scrimmage – he had 21.5 careers in the loss to the Tigers.
Round 6 (No. 201 overall) – CB Tre Brown, Oklahoma
Previous choices: LB Ernest Jones, South Carolina; LB Justin Hilliard, State of Ohio.
While the Giants try to smooth the rough edges on defense and turn Brown into an NFL corner, they will stick him on their special teams units, where he is a relentless and aggressive shooter and cover.