4 rounds of simulated draft of the Giants: Alabama flavor for this one

It is always good to have a plan. I had one going into this version of my 2021 weekly draft of the NFL, and by the time the 11th choice rolled over, the plan had already been shattered.

Fortunately, there are several ways to improve the New York Giants like a football in the next NFL Draft, and several ways to imagine things working. Let’s see what happened here.

Round 1 (No. 11) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

This choice didn’t really work out the way I expected, although I’m not at all unhappy with Waddle’s landing.

I have been thinking a lot lately about my long-standing construction philosophy, and realizing that, in this cycle, I feel that, by doing these simulated weekly sketches, I kind of fell into the ‘go to sexy choice’ trap. That was well before the Giants signed Kenny Golladay. It really isn’t right now.

I’ve been thinking the last three times that the Giants had real choices of ace vs. attacker in the first round. Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Zack Martin in 2014; Evan Engram vs. Ryan Ramczyk in 2017; Saquon Barkley vs. Quenton Nelson (or trade down) in 2018. The Giants have always looked for the ace, and I think you can argue that they were wrong in all three instances.

I decided that I will not allow that to happen. I am also aware that Giants co-owner John Mara said a few days ago that the Giants have not felt pressure to choose a wide receiver in the first two rounds. So, receiver here was not really the plan.

Unfortunately, in this Oregon offensive simulation, Penei Sewell went to the Atlanta Falcons in fourth position and Northwestern striker Rashawn Slater went to the Detroit Lions in second position. he stops the giants here. I am not convinced yet that Vera-Tucker is part of the discussion anytime soon.

In addition, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons went to the Denver Broncos at No. 9. This removed another viable option.

I could go for the advantage of Georgia Azeez Ojulari, or, according to the advice of the Pro Football Network, achieve the advantage of Miami Jaelan Phillips or the advantage of Penn State Jayson Oweh.

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones is still on the board and I tried to convince the simulator to negotiate up to 15th place with the New England Patriots. The smallest payback I was willing to have was New England’s general 15 and 96 choices, and the simulator wouldn’t bite. So, I just made a choice.

For me, this ends up being a choice between Waddle and tight end Kyle Pitts. Honestly, it’s a heads or tails. You can defend either one and I don’t think you would be wrong. In that case, although I wrote enthusiastically about Pitts on Friday and loved to have him, I am choosing Waddle. The Giants want more verticality in their game of more explosive passes and moves, and nobody in this draft is better in these areas than Waddle. In addition, there is the element of dynamic feedback that it offers.

Did I get it right?

Round 2 (No. 42) – Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama

Miami rusher Jaelan Phillips is available here. This makes it a choice between adding the edge rusher that Patrick Graham’s defense could really use on Phillips, or grabbing the guy who could be the last front-line offensive lineman on the board.

The converted potential of the guard Alex Leatherwood is out of the question. Just like Creed Humphrey, Wyatt Davis and Trey Smith. Entering this draft, I was determined to add an initial caliber player to this position group. Here, I do this. As these simulated drafts worked continuously, I am quite confident that I will be able to hit an Edge Rusher upside a little later.

So, what position do I imagine for Dickerson? I know that he is a good pivot, but he is also a guy with experience in everything. I’m leaving Nick Gates alone, putting Dickerson on the right guard and hoping he’ll probably beat Zach Fulton and anyone from Shane Lemieux or Will Hernandez who is competing on that side.

There are some concerns about injuries, but it’s pretty obvious that Dickerson is healthy now.

Round 3 (No. 76) – Joe Tryon, Edge, Washington

Remember what I said about being confident you could hit an edge rusher upside after the second round? Well, repeatedly in simulated drafts using the PFN plate, Tryon is available in the third round – sometimes later.

Is that realistic? We know that Emory Hunt of Football Gameplan believes that Tryon is the best edge rusher of the draft. Increasingly, we see Tryon selected in the middle of Round 2 in simulated drafts. It may be unlikely, but no one knows for sure. In this scenario, he is on the board. I will not let you pass. And I’m even happier with my decision to select Dickerson in the second round.

Other players considered: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan; Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky; Amon Ra-St. Brown, WR, USC; Walker Little, OT, Stanford; Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

Round 4 (No. 116) – Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio

Is it too early for a running back? I am convinced that the Giants will add a stable performance to Saquon Barkley-Devontae Booker in some way. Will they wait until this summer or fall to catch a veteran free agent (like Devonta Freeman)? Will they use a draft choice from Day 3?

In all honesty, when I do some “for fun” simulations during the week and go to the end of the sixth round (where the Giants have two choices), I usually look for a value in the sixth round.

I used the Sermon here to a) open a discussion about the player and b) open a discussion about whether or not it is too early to add a verse.

So, let’s hear it.