In Mel Kiper’s first mock draft of the offseason, the New York Giants landed star linebacker Isaiah Simmons out of Clemons. Kiper should have stopped there as he proceeded to mock Jeff Okudah to Big Blue in his second attempt.
The Giants desperately need a No. 1 corner, but it’s known that corners require ample time to adapt to the speed and physicality of the NFL. I understand the need for different scenarios, and that Okudah does fit the bill alongside dusty DeAndre Baker. Still, after spending a first-rounder on the position in 2019, they cannot follow their own footsteps.
However, this time, they decide on taking Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah at No. 4 overall.
So if Tagovailoa jumps into the top three, that means the Giants could choose between Okudah and Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, whom I mocked to New York in my first projection of picks 1-32. And after the Giants cut Janoris Jenkins in December, cornerback surged to the top of the team’s needs. First-round pick DeAndre Baker had a rough rookie season, racking up nine penalties and getting burned badly at times. Let’s get Okudah to New York in this scenario, locking down one side of the field with the clear top corner in this class. Edge rusher and offensive tackle are also positions this team must address in the offseason.
Why the New York Giants shouldn’t consider this course of action:
The Giants didn’t only add Baker in the 2019 NFL Draft; they also landed Julian Love and Corey Ballentine. Spending three picks on one position should void any possibility of selecting another in 2020. However, curring Janoris Jenkins and lacking a No. 1 CB is problematic, so I see where Kiper is going with this mock draft, but free agency offers plenty of value. It opens up the prospective trade back option and/or grabbing Simmons.
The Giants haven’t drafted a linebacker in the first round in years, and with Simmons’ diversity and dynamic style of play, they would be foolish to overlook him.