The New York Giants sit pretty with the 11th overall pick in the draft, as teams made significant moves around them on Friday afternoon. To start, the Miami Dolphins traded the number three overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the number 12 overall pick and future selections. Just minutes later, the Philadelphia Eagles completed a trade, sending the sixth pick to Miami for the 12th pick and a future first-rounder.
The Giants now sit one slot ahead of the Eagles and Miami jumped back into the top 10, which will guarantee them a top non-quarterback player. I expect that four QBs will be off the board in the top six picks, meaning the Giants will have their fair share of premium selections available at 11.
Now, we have talked about a number of amazing prospects the Giants could target, including Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater, and a variety of elite receivers. However, the Giants might even consider getting into the trade back game, as the value for picks guaranteeing elite talent is sky-rocketing.
In fact, it is no surprise that teams are giving up massive draft capital for top selections this year, especially with free-agency being a slaughterhouse of cuts. Teams were forced to give up quality players to reduce their cap hits, meaning that they will rely on the draft to solve those positions and upgrade their team as a whole. That increases the value of each individual pick, especially one as high as 11.
The Giants could easily find a suitor for the 11th overall pick and move back a few slots, essentially guaranteeing a second-round pick in exchange. This will allow them to find a solid player in the middle of the draft and a potential pass-rushing talent and offensive lineman. That would kill two birds with one stone, providing more competition and production at OLB/DE and have extra capital to inject a fresh face on the OL.
The early movement in the draft order is undoubtedly interesting, but I wouldn’t rule out a few draft day trades either.