It’s time for my second mock draft of the New York Giants. Each time I do this before the NFL’s 2021 Draft, I am committed to presenting a different scenario for your consideration and discussion.
This week, I pre-determined a draft “without negotiations”. I also predetermined that I wanted to present a scenario in which the Giants ignored the receiver at number 11. After using the Pro Football Network simulator last week, I used the Draft Network simulator this time.
Here’s what I made up.
Round 1 (No. 11) – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
If I were considering a wide receiver here, DeVonta Smith is the one I consider the Big 4 left over. To be honest, I probably take Parsons to this place, anyway.
The linebacker inside or outside the ball is not one of the positions that the analysis will say is of prime value. Still, it is not difficult to understand that Parsons is a tremendous talent that could be special in the NFL. The kid can do everything you want an off-ball linebacker to do. Furthermore, in my opinion, this kid could start full time as an external 3-4 linebacker and excel in that role. I would have no problem with the Giants, if they recruited him, throwing him on the edge. Honestly, he can be the best defender in the draft category.
Here’s what Pro Football Focus wrote in its draft guide:
“There are not many linebackers in college football history who can rest on their sophomore tape and still be a likely choice in the top ten. That’s how Parsons was special in 2019. He has the kind of size and skill set that could make him the first rusher draft edge if he wanted to move into that position. Parsons destroys blocks and ball carriers. He obtained the second highest defense score against running that we ever gave in 2019 (94.8), while finishing with the third highest tackle note in the country (90.0). Although we haven’t seen a ton of him in individual coverage, I’m not too concerned with the athletic build he shows in space. “
Off 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 will be ahead here – this is a choice I am sick of. It is one that, if I am in charge and this is the real draft, I have a hard time doing because we have been sitting here more than two months from the real deal. But I did it because I thought it was a good place to select a receiver – and because I wanted the opportunity to open up a discussion about Moore.
There are those in the recruiting community, and apparently in the NFL, who rank Moore ahead of Jaylen Waddle of Alabama. Based purely on what 5-foot-9, 180-pound Moore can do when you put the ball in your hands, I understand. The guy is a phenomenal talent.
The problem for me is that the guy has not been healthy for two years, he has only been on the field for seven games. the best skill is availability, and my belief has always been that guys with a history of high school injuries don’t suddenly become players you can count on to spend 16 seasons consistently. The grind is longer, the physicality is increased, the players 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
Excuse me. This boy is one of my passions. I can’t get past him here. There are good arguments for several other players / positions here. Furthermore, if Parsons were used at least a few times on the limit, this choice may 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 still don’t know what the Giants will be able to do as a free agent. Having chosen the 5-9 and 180-pound Moore, I still had the desire to find Daniel Robben’s massive, contested capture target. I spent some time going back and forth between Surratt and Seth Williams of Auburn. For me, any player is. good value here.
Other players considered: WR Seth Williams, CB Ambry Thomas