Giants NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Isaiah Simmons is just start of defensive boost

It is called a Mock Draft for a reason. It is not real or authentic, but harboring no intention to deceive. So, mock if you will, but rest assured Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has either approved, ignored or scoffed at this seven-round mock draft for his team ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. Each …

It is called a Mock Draft for a reason. It is not real or authentic, but harboring no intention to deceive.

So, mock if you will, but rest assured Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has either approved, ignored or scoffed at this seven-round mock draft for his team ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. Each week leading up to the April 23 start of the draft, The Post, with help from Fanspeak’s mock draft simulator, will take a stab at the 10 players the Giants might select, based on reporting, reading tea leaves and abject guesswork.

Here is Giants mock draft No. 1:

Round 1 (pick 4 overall) — LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

In this simulation, the Giants have their choice of Simmons, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah or any of the top-rated offensive tackles, with Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown a surprise pick of the Lions at No. 3. Okudah is difficult to pass up but the signing in free agency of James Bradberry and selection of DeAndre Baker in the first round last year somewhat mitigates the need for a corner this high. And so, for the first time since 1984, the Giants in the first round take a linebacker. Of course, Simmons is multi-positional and just like that, the Giants have an impact player on defense and the very definition of a modern-age defensive weapon.

Round 2 (pick 36 overall) — S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

The Giants double-up on defense and land the best safety in the entire draft, a versatile player who can line up deep, in the slot or in the box. His skill-set is more akin to a cornerback and that makes him especially attractive. Passing up an offensive tackle is tough to do here, but McKinney’s value is too high to dismiss and the Giants believe they now have a safety tandem, pairing McKinney with Jabrill Peppers, for years to come.

Round 3 (pick 99 overall) — OT Saahdiq Charles, LSU

Starting nine games at left tackle for the national champions is the good news. Missing six games because of disciplinary issues is the bad news. The Giants are willing to take a chance on a 321-pound youngster with room to get bigger and stronger and the potential to challenge for the starting right tackle job sooner rather than later.

Round 4 (pick 110 overall) — C Nick Harris, Washington

There was some consideration taking Harris in the third round and, lo and behold, he was still on the board 11 picks later. Not ideal size or strength but extremely smart and scrappy, and this is a position of need.

Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag

Round 5 (pick 150 overall) — EDGE Jonathan Garvin, Miami

Long, agile athlete nicknamed “Spider’’ had 5.5 sacks as a junior but was not as effective in 2019. The potential is there as a pass-rusher but it must be coached out of him.

Round 6 (pick 183 overall) — RB Mike Warren, Cincinnati

A running back, you say? Well, you add talent wherever you can and Warren gained 1,329 yards and 1,262 yards the past two seasons. Plus, in that span he ran for a total of 33 touchdowns, so he knows his way into the end zone.

Round 7 (pick 218 overall) — EDGE D.J. Wonnum, South Carolina

Not many Gamecocks are named permanent team captains, but Wonnum is one of them. Good value here for a player with 29.5 career tackles for loss and 14 sacks.

Round 7 (pick 238 overall) — WR Lawrence Cager, Georgia

After three seasons at Miami, Cager spent 2019 at Georgia, where he caught 33 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns. The attraction here is his size: 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds.

Round 7 (pick 247 overall) — CB John Reid, Penn State

Lack of size at 5-foot-10 and 187 pounds could be an issue but this guy is a competitive slot corner, similar to another former Penn State player the Giants already have on the roster: Grant Haley.

Round 7 (pick 255 overall) — OT Victor Johnson, Appalachian State

Making 51 career starts at left tackle as a four-year starter is enough for the Giants to take a chance on a developmental tackle as this year’s Mr. Irrelevant.