Since the New York Giants don’t necessarily need to draft a wide receiver with the 11th overall pick after signing Kenny Golladay in free agency, they have the luxury of waiting until later on to find a pass-catcher with upside.
This doesn’t mean the Giants won’t spend their top selection on a player like Alabama’s DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle, but it does offer them a bit of flexibility if they have a higher-rated player on the board. Considering how deep this draft class is, there will be plenty of talents that drop to the second and third rounds that would otherwise be higher selections.
One stand-out receiver that should be considered on the second day of the draft is UNC play-maker Dyami Brown.
Brown is a superior athlete, standing at 6’1†and 195 pounds. For the Tar Heels in 2020, he posted 1099 receiving yards with eight touchdowns over 11 games. I see him as a poor man’s Rashod Bateman, who has the potential to be a WR1 at the next level and then some.
How the New York Giants could utilize Dyami Brown:
With expanding vertical talents, Brown is capable of being a deep threat for the Giants’ offense as they look to transition to a more downfield approach. Hiring Russ Callaway from LSU suggests that the offense will take a different strategy in 2021 instead of the West Coast style Jason Garrett deployed in 2020. With more weapons and receiving threats, they should have more productivity throwing down-field, something that quarterback Daniel Jones is very effective in.
Brown isn’t only a vertical threat, though, as he also thrives in the intermediate areas of the field. He is a solid route runner with fantastic upside, and if he drops to the 76th overall pick in the third round, he would be a home run selection for the Giants. In addition to his receiving capabilities, he’s also an aggressive blocker in the run game, which is something that the Giants love to see from their receivers. In fact, Sterling Shepard is one of the best-run blockers at the receiver position in the NFL, and with an out in his contract after the 2021 season, they will be looking to potentially replace his production for a cheaper price. Brown could fit that mold perfectly.
I don’t see Brown as a premium receiver at the NFL level, but a great complementary piece, which is all you can ask for on the second day of the draft. He’s a bit underweight at 195 pounds, but if he can add a bit more functional strength, he can be an adequate receiver on day one. Ultimately, being a bit slimmer isn’t a glaring negative to me, as I am also a firm believer that DeVonta Smith will have a fantastic career in the NFL, as he utilizes his size to his advantage.