Giants NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Daniel Jones gets another weapon in Jaylen Waddle

The Giants only have six picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and so they need to make every one of them count. They own the No. 11 overall selection, two picks in the sixth round but no picks in the

The Giants only have six picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and so they need to make every one of them count. They own the No. 11 overall selection, two picks in the sixth round but no picks in the fifth or seven rounds. So, forecasting a seven-round Mock Draft only takes the Giants through the first six rounds. For this first Giants Mock Draft, we will use the Pro Football Focus draft simulator. Away we go.

First Round (No. 11 overall) — WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

In this iteration, the two top offensive tackles, Penei Sewell (Dolphins at No. 6) and Rayshawn Slater (Cowboys at No. 10) are off the board, as is TE Kyle Pitts (Panthers at No. 8) and WR DeVonta Smith (Bengals at No. 5). The Giants love Waddle anyway, making this an easy pick, as far as where they value the player on their draft board. They think about the pass rushers out there and also discuss where Waddle fits, with Kenny Golladay signed in free agency. Ultimately, they decide Waddle fits anywhere they need him to be in their passing offense as an electric catch-and-run weapon. He is only 5-foot-10 but can line up outside, in the slot or in the backfield and once he has the ball in his hands, good luck trying to chase him down.

Second Round (No. 42 overall) — LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

There are a few intriguing edger rushers to consider but Collins represents a strong blend of immediate help and also future projection. Remember Bradley Chubb, Josh Allen and Chase Young? They were all past Bronco Nagurski Award winners, given to the top defensive player in college football. Well, Collins won that award in 2021. He is a 6-foot-4, 260-pound physical marvel with great range but unrefined pass-rush skills. He makes plays, though. Of his four interceptions this past season, two of them were returned for touchdowns. Pairing Collins with Blake Martinez could become a lethal combination.

Third round (No. 76 overall) — DL Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech

You think Dave Gettleman is going to get through the first two days of the draft without taking a defensive lineman? Williams, at 6-foot-3 and 284 pounds, might be a bit of a tweener — not hefty enough for the interior and not fast-twitch enough for the outside — but he has a muscular physique, 10 sacks the past two seasons and his skilled hand-work and basketball player footwork make him a prospect.

Fourth Round (No. 116 overall) — OL Kendrick Green, Illinois

This interior lineman is probably destined to be a guard at the next level and his nasty disposition will be welcomed in the Giants offensive line room. If Will Hernandez is not around in 2022, Green could be next in line.

Sixth Round (No. 196 overall) — Edge Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo

What we have here is a possible situational pass rusher, someone defensive coordinator Patrick Graham can develop and use as an outside linebacker as he bulks up his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame. He has 17 career sacks.

Sixth Round (No. 201 overall) — LB Ernest Jones, South Carolina

Adding a linebacker late in the draft is always an option with a Joe Judge team. That Jones was named Most Improved Player as a special teams contributor makes this a match made in Judge’s heaven. Jones on defense had 19 tackles vs. LSU.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Paul Schwartz

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