It is not called a “Mock Draft” for nothing. It is not authentic or real, but it is not intended to be deceiving. We leave the art of deception to the NFL general managers, as they enjoy misinformation this time of year.
It’s no fun going down the same road, so we decided to get a little tense about Mock Draft 2.0, take some risks, leaning on some hunches and relying on ever-popular guesswork to get through the Giants’ six squads. come.
For this Giants Mock Draft 2.0, we used the Pro Football Network simulator, after using the Pro Football Focus simulator for Mock Draft 1.0. Let’s start:
Round 1 (No. 11) – EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
The top two offensive linemen, Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater, are off the board, but receiver Jaylen Waddle is there. The Giants draw a surprise and go with a climber hailed by several scouts as the best pass-rushing prospect in this design. Let’s face it, this is a position of need. Ojulari isn’t big in size (6 feet-2, 249 pounds), but he’s instinctive to go after the quarterback. He had 9.5 bags as a sophomore red shirt, including a three-bag performance at the Peach Bowl. Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham craves versatility and Ojulari has it. He is a superior in coverage for Michigan’s Kwity Paye and should immediately contribute as a situational pass rusher as he acclimates to the NFL game. Giants are gambling upside down here. Ojulari could be available in a trade-down, but we don’t do that here.
Rounds 2 (No. 42) – WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
The Giants really like this guy and are delighted to have him available for bragging rights. Toney was a breakout star in 2020, with 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. He can also perform it (19-161), an indication that he is a triple threat that can catch the ball across the field, deal damage to jet sweeps, and take it the distance as a kick returner. Toney could use more thickness for his 5-foot-11,193 frame, but he’s a blur (4.38 in the 40) and should perfectly complement the wide receiver corps of Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton . Toney forced 43 missed tackles in his college career, the highest percentage per catch by a Power 5 wide receiver since 2014.
Round 3 (No. 76) – OL Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Here’s a little school player who dominated a lower level (Division III) of the league, then completely stunned the NFL community with his performance in the Senior Bowl. He projects like an annoying run-blocking, 320-pound guard, a place where the Giants aren’t exactly loaded. This could be the last year in blue for Will Hernandez, forcing this area to be strengthened.
Round 4 (No. 116) – DT Tyler Shelvin, LSU
General manager Dave Gettleman loves his big pork mollies and this is one of the biggest out there. Shelvin may be oversized at 350 pounds and his weight and fitness will need to be monitored. He’s a massive, impossible nose gear brought in for immediate draft and a big role in the near future, with veteran Danny Shelton signed a one-year contract.
Round 6 (No. 196) – S JaCoby Stevens, LSU
Big solid box security that needs to be in the right system to thrive as he’s more of a downhill defender and he may have trouble with cover. Graham has uses for all kinds of defensive backs and this tweener (linebacker or safety?) Can also find a role in special teams.
Round 6 (No. 201) – LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State
A three-down linebacker coming out of a career year for the Buckeyes brings versatility and value to special teams. Joe Judge loves to stack linebackers on the grid.