Ricky Dimon
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The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, when a whole lot of questions will be answered. The biggest questions are which quarterback will the San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 overall and what will the Atlanta Falcons do with the fourth pick.
When the top 10 comes to an end, the New York Giants will be on the clock. And with that comes another question: are the Giants going with a pass-rusher, an offensive lineman, a wide receiver, or someone else? They could go in any number of directions, so let’s assess their options and look at the odds for their potential draftees.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama +390
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama +390
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern +390
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State +600
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon +600
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan +900
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama, +900
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami (FL) +1000
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina +1000
Breaking down the contenders
The Giants actually did pretty well last year given the circumstances, with star running back Saquon Barkley missing basically all of the 2020 campaign. They went 6-10 and were in contention for the NFC East title through the final week of the season, when they defeated Dallas but needed a Washington loss to Philadelphia that they didn’t get. With Barkley coming back and a young quarterback in Daniel Jones plus a solid tight end in Evan Engram, the offense is on the rise. New York could opt to make it even better with a young offensive lineman or a wide receiver to join newcomer Kenny Golladay, or they could address the defense.
At No. 11, the two receivers that may be in the mix both hail from Alabama: Jaylen Waddle and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. If Jones is surrounded by Barkley, Golladay, and either Waddle or Smith, he can make so excuses if he doesn’t succeed. An offensive lineman would obviously help, too. Penei Sewell will be gone unless the Giants trade up, which is why Rashawn Slater is more likely.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jaycee Horn could be the best option. Cornerback is arguably an even bigger need than edge rusher, so Horn would make a lot of sense. Patrick Surtain II is probably everyone’s first choice at that position, but he us unlikely to last past Dallas at No. 10.
The pick: DeVonta Smith (+390)
Horn’s value is +1000 is intriguing, but the pick should be Smith. The best player in college football was rumored to go as high as No. 3 to Miami in the early stages of draft talk, but that was before quarterbacks established themselves as the top options and now the Dolphins aren’t even in that spot anyway (traded with the 49ers). After Ja’Marr Chase, if Waddle is the next receiver off the board, Smith could fall outside of the top 10 and into the Giants’ lap. The versatility in an offense with Barkley, Golladay, and Smith may be too much to pass up.
Be sure to check out Pickwise’s other 2021 NFL Draft content:
- Full first-round mock draft
- Who will the 49ers take third overall?
- Best 2021 NFL Draft player draft position prop bets
- Who will be the first non-quarterback drafted?
- Prize giveaway
- Odds, expert predictions, and best bets
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