The New York Giants have a difficult task ahead of them this off-season, trying to utilize their minimal amount of money to sign free agents but also bolster their offense. Having to make decisions on Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson doesn’t make resource allocation any easier, especially with quarterback Daniel Jones needing more weapons to work with. The expectation is that the Giants will target a receiver in free agency, as both Corey Davis and Curtis Samuel represent solid options but not WR1s.
One way or another, Jones will get his wish, more quality targets to throw to in the passing game — the Giants might have to make a few significant changes to open up money, and they must utilize their draft capital efficiently.
New York Giants 3-round mock:
1.) WR DeVonta Smith
After the National Championship game, DeVonta Smith was considered a guarantee to be off the board by the time the Giants picked at 11. However, his stock is gradually decreasing, based on his 175-pound weight.
Ultimately, Smith is one of the more dynamic receivers entering the NFL, and his ability to align in many different ways makes him a threat constantly. He’s one of the best wide receiver screen options in college, and that will likely transfer to the NFL.
The primary issue is utilizing him in press coverage, where corners can jam him with ease based on his lack of strength. He possesses fantastic hands and elite body control, though, making catches in traffic and high pointing the football on contested throws.
If he falls to 11, the Giants shouldn’t hesitate, as he offers a fantastic weapon for Jones to utilize. He projects as an ideal Z receiver, lining up a few feet off the line of scrimmage, that way, he can beat press coverage with his refined route running. Some consider him the best receiver that college football has ever seen, but he lacks that prototypical size you want in an elite wideout, but he’s just too productive and smooth to pass on here.
2.) OT Wyatt Davis
The Giants are looking to open up money, and one idea that has been floated recently is cutting starting right guard Kevin Zeitler.
Zeitler is arguably the best OL that the Giants possess, and letting him go with further damage, a unit that ranked dead last in pass protection last season. They are far from being an adequate line, and Zeitler is the glue that keeps them together, whereas they might fall apart completely without him. On the flip side, he’s going to count $12.5 million in 2021, so the Giants can either extend him and lower his cap hit for next season or cut him and save the money.
If they’re going to release Zeitler, they need to replace it with a quality option, and Wyatt Davis out of Ohio State offers a fantastic supplement. As a projected right guard at the NFL level, he’s expected to be a plug-and-play option, and landing him in the second round would be a steal.
At 6’4†and 310 pounds, Davis has adequate size and moves defenders in the running game. He doesn’t have the speed and athleticism to be a pull and trap blocker, but the Giants need to think long term here, and he certainly has “hog molly†written all over him.
3.) Ifeatu Melifonwu
After allocating the first two draft picks toward the offense, the defense could use a little bit of support, specifically at CB2. One player who is generating buzz is CB Ifeatu Melifonwu.
The Syracuse product stands at 6’2†and 212 pounds, containing adequate size to be a solid outside corner opposite James Bradberry. He is long, rangy, and athletic, everything you want to see in a corner entering the NFL. With multiple tools to utilize, he can fit the Giants’ zone scheme on defense perfectly.
With the willingness to play against the run aggressively, this would be a steal for the Giants in the third round, and they desperately need to upgrade the CB2 position. Allocating a third-round pick on a player like Melifonwu would be perfect.