The New York Giants are entering a crucial low season. They have lost 10 or more games for four seasons in a row in a competition that basically does not allow for such incompetence.
The current system is set up in such a way that teams can get back on their feet after three losing seasons. The Giants, led by CEO Dave Gettleman, did not follow the script and paid the price.
The concept strategy cannot be established until they see what is happening in free agency. If they happen to trap one (or both) of their defensive linemen and add an offensive playmaker in free agency, their draft strategy will naturally change in the first three rounds.
Regardless, there are players who simply cannot pass them on at number 11 in general. Here are four of them.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Kim Klement-USA Sports TODAY
Kyle Pitts should be the Giants’ main target in April. He is a prototype of a tight ending in a competition that greatly appreciates the position. The Giants may say nice things about Evan Engram, but he is really that he cannot be trusted. They’re taking Pitts here in an instant – and they should.
In many mock draft simulations, Pitts holds up to No. 11 and teams will happily trade to get him. My advice is to weigh any deal that a first rounder offers before picking # 25 plus two other picks in the first 100. Otherwise, Pitts is a giant. He will provide Daniel Jones with a solid target that will move the chains and open things in the red zone.
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Patrick Surtain will likely be on the board when the Giants are number 11 on the clock. Unless they’re happy with their number 2 outside corner at the time, it makes a lot of sense to take Surtain. He would add one more potential Pro Bowl-level talent to the Giants’ already talented secondary and free them up to grab players in other positions in subsequent rounds.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr / The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
Jaylen Waddle has a lot of buzz around him right now which has raised some concern about taking him. He’s not exactly what the Giants need, but I can see they select him if he drops out of the Top 10.
Waddle would provide the Giants with a playmaker for both offensive and special teams, and we know how much they value special teams. Waddle is a player that requires opponents to have a game plan, something the Giants don’t currently have.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Micah Parsons is a Top 5 talent who may not like being selected by many teams due to some questionable issues outside the field in college. Whether or not those reports free-fall him is another matter. If they do, the Giants here will have to consider Parsons. After missing Devin White with one pick two years ago, they will have serious debates about taking Parsons, who many believe is a better prospect than White.