1. WR Devonta Smith, Alabama Crimson Tide
While there have been several rumors surrounding the 1st pick, from the very beginning, the Giants made it their offseason mission to surround Daniel Jones with weapons. With Barkley, Golladay, Rudolph & Ross, they've made quite a dent. The finishing piece would be Smith - a do-it-all slot/flanker/return specialist with both gamebreaking and move-the-chains ability. His ability to create instant separation with his suddenness at the LOS, combined with long arms and great hands, makes him almost impossible to cover. And he's a squeaky clean character with no major injury concerns that didn't opt out. And, oh yeah - he played at Bama.
1. ER Azeez Ojulari, Georgia Bulldogs
If there's one thing Gettleman has been aggressive with, it's trading up. (Josh Allen, DeAndre Baker). Here, he deftly uses Evan Engram to trade back into the 1st round. The Giants were rumored to be "all over" Ojulari during his Pro Day - who can play the Buck LB position and be an athletic upgrade to Fackrell. Like Smith, another "do-it-all" football player. And, oh yeah - he played at Georgia.
3. G/T Trey Smith, Tennessee Volunteers
Strong run & pass blocker. You wonder where Smith gets drafted because it could be anywhere. Colin at GBN has him right around here. When you look at the Giants current OLine room, they've got good coverage at T (Thomas, Peart, Solder) and G (Lemieux, Hernandez, Fulton). Smith would finish the room nicely as a flex G/T. However, if they are OK with Slade, he might be redundant. Played for Jeremy Pruitt.
4. TE Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
I don't like H-backs, but when I do - I like them like Tommy Tremble. I don't need a 4.4 beach body at TE - I need a guy looking to smash the other team's edge players. Tremble is a vicious blocker, and, like Smith, might be long gone. Or he might not be, because his production in the passing game wasn't there and it's a deep draft. Giants sent their blocking specialists to ND's Pro Day.
6. RB Javian Hawkins, Louisville Tigers
One of those little jitter-bugs like a young Dion Lewis. Met privately with the Giants. A potential Dave Meggett-like 3rd down RB?
6. WR/TE Jacob Harris, UCF Golden Knights
Sleeper prospect Giants met with at Pro Day. 6'5" 220. 10 career special teams tackles in college.
That draft would make EE expendable, please!: best I think we can hope as a return is low 3rd or 4th to be used as a chip.
I agree that a guy (Engram) who is going to be a fa next year is not enough to compete with all the teams trying to get into the bottom of the first.
My guess is that after we see if Randolph is back from injury, Engram gets traded to a team with a TE injury in pre or early season. And at that point is more like a 5th or maybe maybe a 4th.
Top 120 pick for Engram or no deal imo. And only if they've also added a TE they like in the draft (pitts, freiermuth, etc).
Also very good mock. Would be really happy with this haul. My #1 priority with this draft would be adding more speed on both sides of the ball and Smith/Ojulari certainly do that. And Smith brings a ton of athleticism to the OL.
Nice job!
Draft approach I think they value WR/Edge/OL as top 3 with Edge the priority over OL (which I don't agree with but understand the logic). Edge dries up fast while quality close to plug and play OL in this ultra deep draft will last into round 3.
Pass catcher probably goes first because the grades are just too good on a guy like Devonta (despite the slight frame) and Giants are big on mental make up and this kids wiring is special.
I also strongly feel they like Oweh. The trade up could be for either of those 2.
I’m also very high on Hawkins...think he’d have a role as an explosive 3rd down back. Very Sproles-like.
I too think that getting Ojulari AFTER Smith would be impossible. Tremble in the 4th? My God. Love that!
But I don't think we have ammunition to trade up to get Smith, let-alone pick up a second 1st rounder.
To do this it would take take the entire 2021 draft (and possibly part of 2022s