The New York Giants elected to pass on selecting a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL draft, despite there being a talented crop of players to choose from. Passing on all of the highly regarded prospects in favor of undrafted free agents Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack could prove to be a bit optimistic.
However, the Giants landed two intriguing players in Victor and Mack, both of whom are coming from Ohio state. Victor, who is a 6-foot-4 and 198-pound pass-catcher, utilizes his long and lanky frame to snag balls in the air. He is solid at making contested catches and can be a good red-zone threat at the NFL level. His issues primarily land in his strength and speed category. He’s not the fastest pass-catcher out there but uses his radius to supplement that weakness. In 2019, he posted 573 yards and six touchdowns over 12 games. He is far from being the focal point of an offense, but he has the potential to develop into a solid producer over a long term period.
I believe Victor will be more useful in the short to intermediate-range in the red zone. Allowing him to run mesh/slant routes and run endzone fades is how he can make his money at the NFL level. With a lack of elite speed, he has to be in positions to use his catch radius to beat defenders. Quick throws will likely accompany his skill set more frequently if he can make the active roster.
What are the New York Giants getting in Austin Mack?
Austin Mack, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver. He posted 361 yards and three touchdowns in 2019, producing even less than Victor for the Ohio State offense. There are a few pros and cons to note when it comes to Mack, precisely his impressive strength and balance. His 19 starts give him experience, and he started last season with at least three receptions in the first six games.
A foot injury derailed his campaign, but he has the national talent to develop into a solid boundary wide receiver. His physicality off the line of scrimmage gives him room to make plays and get open on his break. He is a fearless player who will travel across the middle with no hesitations. He can run well as a ball carrier and seems to excel when he has extra time to get open for his quarterback.
The primary issue with Mac is his most recent injury and lack of production regarding touchdowns. He has only three scores over three seasons with Ohio, and lack of separation in man coverage could cause them to fall down the pecking order. If he can increase his ability to get open against press coverage, he could land an active roster spot at the back end of the wide receiver unit.
Overall, Victor and Mack are two exciting prospects that have the talent to develop into solid contributors for the Giants. I suspect one of them will land on the practice squad, but both of them may end up in that position. They have to unseat Corey Coleman on the active roster to land a start spot on the team.