The NFL Draft is a little less than two weeks away and New York Giants fans are getting antsy. There’s a lot of uncertainty and the team has a ton of options in the draft.
One of those options is a trade back, but I don’t see anyone who would be willing to trade up to No. 4, or even No. 3 for that matter. The only teams willing to do that would be the teams seeking a quarterback, and they may not have to trade up to get their man.
Miami and the L.A. Chargers, who hold the fifth and sixth picks in this draft, could probably stay at those spots and come away with the quarterbacks they want, so no trade for the Giants here. If the Dolphins or Chargers do make a deal, it would likely be with Detroit for the third overall pick as they are open for business as well.
Using Fanspeak.com’s mock draft simulator, here is how I would handle the first six rounds for the Giants (the seventh round is a crapshoot that most teams breeze through, so I won’t even attempt to make those four picks).
Round 1, Pick 4: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
The first three picks off the board were LSU QB Joe Burrow (Bengals), Ohio State EDGE rusher Chase Young (Redskins) and Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons (Lions). That left Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah, Auburn DT Derrick Brown and two of the four top OTs in the draft in Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Jr. and Wirfs. I chose Wirfs because of his athleticism, versatility and football acumen. The choice was an easy one since Simmons was off the board and the Giants probably won’t take Okudah or Brown. Wirfs will likely start at right tackle first and then be slid over to the left side when the Giants finally realize Nate Solder is finished.
Round 2, Pick 36: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
The Giants need a safety and Delpit can be that presence in the box they’ve been missing. At 6’2″, 213 he is a hitter who will compliment Jabrill Peppers perfectly. Delpit is a first round talent who is falling in the draft after posting a disappointing 2019 season but many aren’t taking into account that he played through a high ankle sprain. We all know about those, no? I took Delpit over Michigan center Carlos Ruiz and USC WR Michael Pittman, Jr. and let me say it wasn’t easy…
Round 3, Pick 99: Matt Hennessy, C, Temple
I am restraining myself from making picks that fans will love and making ones that aren’t so sexy. Offensive lineman aren’t sexy but no one ever complains when you draft them. Such is this particular selection. Hennessy is a big, tough kid who has room to grow and Giants really need to upgrade at center. Really like his prospects.
Round 4, Pick 110: Willie Gay, Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Missing out on Simmons doesn’t mean the Giants won’t take a linebacker. Gay is an ascending talent who at 6’2″ and 240 pounds runs a 4.46 40. He will add to the Giants’ growing linebacker unit and possibly be used in a multitude of roles, including special teams. Gay may not make it this far in the draft, however. Many have been reviewing his tape and have bumped him up in the order.
Round 5, Pick 150: Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee
Jennings isn’t fast but is 6’3″ an has an innate ability to break tackles. Has good hands and will make the contested catches in the red zone. He can also block in the run game, something the other Giants receivers are not particularly built for.
Round 6, Pick 183: Michael Warren II, RB, Cincinnati
A pure sleeper but a tough inside runner the Giants could use in short yardage situations and on early downs to soften up defenses. We saw Saquon Barkley get hurt last year and forcing him to run inside could wear on him. Warren could absorb – and dish out – some of that punishment to the tune of 5-6 carries per game. They signed Dion Lewis as change-up back so Warren would play the battering ram role for the unit.