New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman set off alarm bells in some corners of the fan base a few days ago when he said a case could not only be for the trade of 11 in the 2021 NFL draft, but also to trade.
‘You could argue to exchange back because of this thing [the COVID-19 pandemic]. There are guys in this concept that when they put on booklets in August, it’s the first time in 20 months that they put up booklets, so you have to think about it and some of the guys are very, very highly rated, so you have to think about it, said Gettleman, adding that it was “very valid” to make a case for negotiation. ‘So you can make the argument for it, you can make the argument to trade back, pick up for next year. You can argue that you are sitting tight. You can argue that you might be trading, knowing that your best bet is going to be on the best guys. So, who knows? ‘
Would Gettleman really trade? Maybe, but I believe it is highly unlikely. To me, it sounds more like concept game skill. Can Gettleman, for example, try to give the Philadelphia Eagles the idea that he could try to overtake them at No. 6 to pick Kyle Pitts, a tight end receiver from Florida? Maybe it convinces the Eagles to pull up, and maybe wastes useful draft assets.
Regardless, it’s time for another one of my weekly ridiculous scenarios. This is a four-round mockery with the Pro Football Network spot simulator.
With the comments on Gettleman in mind, I embarked on this ridiculous concept of trying to trade LSU-wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase of Pitts as my target. I tried to trade at number 3 with the Miami Dolphins, and did not stop before my trading offers through the Dolphins, Falcons at no. 4, Bengals on no. 5, Lions at 7 and Panthers, were rejected. 8. The offers usually included the 76th or 116th choice in 2021 and an early choice in the 2022 draft. I was even turned down, including the Giants’ first round in 2022 in a package to Atlanta for the fourth pick.
When the simulator turned down my offer of Carolina for the No. 8 pick, I stopped trying. That was because I got there, with only the Denver Broncos at no. 9 and Dallas Cowboys at no. 10, I realize I do not have to move at all. Pitts, Jaylen Waddle, Caleb Farley, Patrick Surtain II and Micah Parsons were all still there, so I’m not going to matter with a desired player.
Here’s how the concept unfolded.
Round 1 (No. 11) – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
I turned down some exchange offers here. The Las Vegas Raiders offered picks 17 and 48 and the Washington Football Team put 19 and 51 on the table. Considering how it plays out, I decide to keep the 11th choice.
Why? Pitts was still on the board. Let’s be serious for a moment now. In the actual concept, that would be a wonderful thing. Remember what NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah said.
“I think you can make a strong case that he is the best player in the draft.”
If I were Gettleman, I could break a hip, I would move so fast to take the choice. Whether you think he’s a Darren Waller-like point or a Plaxico Burress-like wide receiver, I think he might be a perfect playmaker for Jason Garrett and Daniel Jones.
If Pitts is available at number 11, he will not get past me. Unless Chase is miraculously still there.
Other players considered: Jaylen Waddle, Micah Parsons
Round 2 (No. 42) – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
After trying to move up and down at number 11, I approach this choice absolutely willing to move down. However, my prize was another choice in Round 3 or 4 of this draft. I could not generate the offer. I have the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs picks no. 63 and second and seventh rounds presented and the choices no. 71 and second and third rounds at the Denver Broncos for no. 42 and 116. I was not interested in those.
I was interested in Zaven Collins, who probably is not at no. 42 would not be on the board. I was really tempted by Newsome, who was probably starting out as a starting cornerback. Dickerson can join the real waiting room that opened with the release of Kevin Zeitler. Javonte Williams? I put him here because he’s worth getting off the board at this point, but I can not pull the trigger when I run back in the second round with Saquon Barkley on the rankings.
Position value can show you that edge rusher or cornerback should choose here if all things are equal. Collins is primarily an off-ball linebacker, but that’s not all I see. In my eyes, he has the potential to be a three-pointer defensive linebacker who can play the run, be a scare as a blitz from the middle, handle the responsibility of the zone coverage and be effective as a defender of the track or rusher of the edge if requested. The only question I have is whether he can handle responsibilities for covering people. It’s just something Tulsa did not ask him to do.
Other players considered: Landon Dickerson, Asante Samuel Jr., Greg Newsome, Javonte Williams
Round 3 (No. 76) – TRADE !!!
Accepted choices no. 80 and 162 of Las Vegas in exchange for number 76 and a seventh player in 2022. Really did not think twice about it. There are a number of players on the board that I would like to pick, and if I am no. 162 pick, I get into the 5th round, where the Giants have no choice but to enter the draft.
Round 3 (No. 80) – Jackson Carman, OL, Clemson
It was not an easy choice. I could easily have chosen one of the players on the list of “other players considered”.
I went with the abused 6-foot-5, 330-pound Carman because I feel it’s the right part of the concept for him, and I feel it’s important to continue to bring talented young assets to the to add offensively.
Carman may not have the footwork to challenge Matt Peart with the right touch. However, he has the power and the obstructive stupidity to be a good NFL guard. The Giants need to contribute to the offensive line mix at some point, and that’s what I did here.
Other players considered: Quincy Roche, Edge, Miami; Joe Tryon, Edge, Washington, Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State, Nico Collins, WR, Michigan, Walker Little, OT, Stanford; Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse; Wayne Eskridge, WR, Central Michigan; Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
Round 4 (No. 116) – Keith Taylor, CB, Washington
I was hoping to get a cornerback to contribute to the CB2 competition against James Bradberry. It seemed like a good place to do it. Taylor was very good in the Senior Bowl, and he seems to fit in with the physical profile and skill set that defense coordinator Patrick Graham likes.
From Pro Football Network:
Positive: Two years of appetizer comes from a tremendous senior campaign. Aggressive, tumultuous and combative receivers. Shoot up the field to defend the run. Instinctively, keep the action ahead of him and show excellent trail recognition facing the action. Displays a good burst of the ball from his plant, physically receives receivers to defend the throw and plays through the whistle. Defeat blocks on tight ends to get on the field and play against the run.
Negatives: Need to improve and clean up his back pedal. Gave a big pillow to receivers last season. Struggling to find the pace in man-to-man coverage.
Analysis: Taylor was a solid yet unspectacular corner in Washington who went on to have a great practice week during the Senior Bowl. He has the size and skill to be a no. To be 2-cornered in the NFL, but needs to clear up his techniques and play with his back to the ball throughout.
Other players considered: Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan; Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford; Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA