Four long months since the end of the New York Giants’ 2020 season, and the 2021 NFL Draft is finally just around the corner. It’s been an atypically eventful offseason so far for Big Blue, with the big-money signings of receiver Kenny Golladay and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson in free agency grabbing headlines. But on Thursday evening the object of much speculation and anticipation, and the centerpiece of every NFL offseason, will at last arrive.
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With rumours flying left and right, and opinions all over the map, it’s impossible to predict how things will play out come draft night. Then again, that’s the beauty of the draft in the first place, as not knowing will make Thursday night must watch television. Despite the draft’s inherent mystery, let’s take one last stab at projecting the Giants’ six draft picks by completing a final six-round mock draft. Even if this mock winds up completely wrong, which it almost certainly will, it’ll be useful to get a sense of which players New York could be in range to select to address their needs. Plus, who doesn’t love a mock draft?
Just like last time, I’ll be using The Draft Network’s draft simulator to determine which players are still available for each of New York’s six picks. Let’s mock this baby!
Round 1, Pick 11: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
With the two top offensive linemen (Oregon’s Penei Sewell and Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater) already off the board at this point, I opted for the best player available in Smith. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner had one of the most productive receiving seasons his senior year. Smith went for 1862 yards from scrimmage and 24 total touchdowns, torching defenses geared up to stop him at will.
He’s a silky smooth route runner with great acceleration and an effortless pull-away stride. He’s a quarterback’s best friend, as he always comes back well to the ball to give every pass a higher chance at completion. At 6’1″ and 175 pounds, he’s lighter than ideal, but his long wingspan and reliable hands make him strong in contested catch situations. Peter King reported in his latest mock draft that Giants coach Joe Judge loves Smith, so don’t be surprised if this is the pick Thurday night.
Player Mould: Marvin Harrison
Round 2, Pick 42: OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
Fans clamoring for the offensive lineman Slater in the first round can take solace in snatching up Eichenberg in the second. The Notre Dame product is similarly versatile to Slater, having played tackle in college but with the strength and body type to play guard in the pros. In the run game, Eichenberg is at his best moving upfield and locating linebackers and safeties at the second level. His ability to combo block and peel off to a second blocking assignment makes him best suited for a man-gap scheme, which the Giants employed heavily last year. He has solid feet, patience, and technique in pass protection, although his less than ideal length could cause some problems in the NFL.
Player Mould: Justin Pugh
Round 3, Pick 76: LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
Surratt is a converted quarterback who’s only played two seasons as a linebacker. In those two years, he racked up 207 tackles despite his rawness at the position. Surratt has excellent movement skil, speed, and aggression, and is quick to diagnose and attack a play before it materializes. At 6’2″ and 225 pounds, he’s still on the small side and could stand to add more weight at the next level. He’s not great at stacking and shedding blocks, and is still learning how to play in drop/zone coverage. Overall, he should make for a solid pursuit linebacker with man coverage ability, and therefore a logical fit next to the sturdier Blake Martinez.
Player Mould: Anthony Barr
Round 4, Pick 116: EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt
The Giants finally get around to addressing the EDGE position by snagging Odeyingbo in the fourth round. At 6’6″ and 276 pounds, the Vanderbilt product has excellent size and length for the position. He also possesses suprising agility and burst, which he uses to his advantage to penetrate gaps in the run game. As a pass rusher, he’s still raw and doesn’t have anything resembling a repertoire of moves. Overall, Odeyingbo is definitely a work in progress, but has all the physical tools you’d want. He also tore his achilles after the 2020 season, so the Giants would have to be comfortable with his medical situation before drafting him.
Player Mould: Aldon Smith
Round 6, Pick 196: CB Shakur Brown, Michigan State
Brown is coming off a big 2020 season in which he tallied five interceptions and four passes defended in just seven games. At 5’11” and 190 pounds, he’s a tad undersized, but nothing overly concerning. Brown is best when in press man coverage, and is versatile enough to play outside or in the slot. He’s only started 12 games in college, and 2020 was his only productive year, so the Giants would be gambling that his final season is indicative of the player he truly is.
Player Mould: Janoris Jenkins
Round 6, Pick 201: EDGE Jonathon Cooper, Ohio State
Cooper won’t wow you with his physical profile or stats, but he’s a high effort player who made a consistent impact for the Buckeyes. He’s a tenacious pass rusher who knows how to attack the pocket and make quarterbacks uncomfortable, even if he’s not getting the sack. Cooper was a fifth-year senior, so his upside is limited and likely won’t ever become a full-time starter. Still, he’s a high-effort player who should contribute as a situational pass rusher and special teamer.
Player Mould: Carter Coughlin
– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.
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April 28, 2021 at 05:32PM
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Giants Six-Round Mock Draft 2.0 - Full Press Coverage
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