It’s time for my second multi-round New York Giants mock draft. Each time I do these leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, I am determined to present a different scenario for your consideration and discussion.
This week I pre-determined a concept of “no-trades”. I had also pre-determined that I wanted to present a scenario where the Giants Bypass Receiver was number 11. After using the Pro Football Network simulator last week, this time I used the Draft Network simulator.
Here’s what I came up with.
Round 1 (No. 11) – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
If I had considered a wide receiver here, DeVonta Smith is the one from what I consider the Big 4 that remained. To be fair, I probably take Parsons in this place anyway.
Inside or off ball linebacker is not one of the positions that analytics will tell you is of great value. Still, it’s not hard to understand that Parsons is a huge talent that could be special in the NFL. The child can do anything you want an off-ball linebacker to do. Plus, in my opinion, this kid could start on the edge full time as a 3-4 linebacker from the outside and excel in that role. I wouldn’t have a problem with the Giants if they lined him up and played him on the edge. In all fairness, he is arguably the best standup edge defender in the draft class.
This is what Pro Football Focus wrote in its concept guide:
There aren’t many linebackers in college football history who can rest on their real sophomore tape and still be a likely top-10 pick. That’s how special Parsons was in 2019. He has the kind of size and skills that he could make the first edge rusher with if he wanted to switch to that position. Parsons destroys blocks and ball carriers. He achieved the second-highest score we’ve ever given in 2019 (94.8), while also finishing with the third-highest tackles in the country (90.0). While we haven’t seen much of him in one-on-one coverage, I’m not too concerned about the athletics he shows in space. “
From the board: TE Kyle Pitts, WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Jaylen Waddle, OL Rashawn Slater, CB Patrick Surtain II, CB Caleb Farley
Other players considered: WR DeVonta Smith, Edge Kwity Paye
Round 2 (No. 43) – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
I’m going to be up front here – this is a choice I’m squeamish about. It’s one that, if I’m in charge and this is the actual design, I can make difficult considering we’re more than two months away from the real deal here. However, I made it because I thought this was a good place to select a recipient – and because I wanted the opportunity to open a discussion about Moore.
There are people in the design community, and apparently in the NFL, who rate Moore over Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle. Based purely on what the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Moore can do when you get the ball in his hands, I get it. The man is a phenomenal talent.
The problem for me is that the man has not been healthy for two years and only comes on the field for seven games. the best skill is availability, and I’ve always believed that guys with a collegiate history of injury don’t suddenly become players you can rely on to get through the 16-game seasons consistently. The grind is longer, the physicality has increased, the players are bigger and stronger.
Other players considered: OG Wyatt Davis, OC Landon Dickerson, WR Nico Collins, Edge Jayson Oweh, TE Pat Freiermuth, WR Nico Collins, Edge Joe Tryon, DE Carlos Basham
Round 3 (No. 75) – Quincy Roche, Edge, Miami
Sorry. This boy is one of my travel crushes. I can’t bring myself to let him pass by here. Here are good arguments for several other players / positions. And if Parsons were used at the edge at least some of the time, this choice might be redundant.
Other players considered: OG Deonta Brown, OT Jackson Carman, CB Paulson Adebo, WR Tylan Wallace, WR Amari Rodgers, DL Osa Odighizuwa
Round 4 (No. 116) – Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
We don’t know yet what the Giants will be able to do in free service. After selecting the 5-9, 180lb Moore, I still had the desire to find a big, disputed target for Daniel Jones. I went back and forth between Auburn’s Surratt and Seth Williams for a while. To me, every player is. good value here.
Other players considered: WR Seth Williams, CB Ambry Thomas