The New York Giants made some big splashes with the opening of free agency that impacted their NFL draft outlook for the better.
They started things off by agreeing to a long-term deal with defensive end Leonard Williams. From there they added free agent wide receiver Kenny Golladay, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (who became a free agent after he was cut), wide receiver John Ross, tight end Kyle Rudolph, and linebacker Reggie Ragland.
These moves drastically impacted the Giants’ draft outlook because they filled their top needs on the depth chart with good talent, allowing them to have the freedom to draft the best player available, not just in the first round, but throughout the draft.
With updated team needs—and freedom of BPA—in mind, here is a seven-round mock draft for the Giants post-free agency.
Round 1 (No. 11 overall): Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Even with Williams returning, the Giants need help at edge rusher. After Williams’ 11.5 sacks in 2020, the next highest players were Kyle Fackrell and Dexter Lawrence with four. That’s just not going to cut it.
Phillips is the top pass rush talent in this class. He has the frame to play multiple alignments, both from a two-point and three-point stance. He would be a welcomed addition to a pass rush unit that needs splash players.
Round 2 (No. 42 overall): Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Even with the addition of Golladay, the Giants should not shut their doors to a new wide receiver in the top 50 of the draft. Rondale Moore happened to fall to them in this mock draft simulation, and if that happens in real life, they should jump at the chance to get him in blue.
Moore is an electric after-the-catch slot wide receiver, something the Giants very much need. His 4.33 30-yard dash and 42.5-inch vertical jump at his pro day proved he’s one of the most athletic pass-catchers in the class this season.
Round 3 (No. 76 overall): Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
Continuing the best player available trend, inexperience and reps needed might be why a player of McGrone’s talent falls to the third round, but he has a high ceiling as a middle linebacker who can play downhill. His feet are fast but sometimes premature with his movements. You love how eager he is to flow toward the ball, he can sometimes just get fooled by pullers and split zone blocking concepts that test his eyes on the ball. With some extra time and reps under his belt, this is a potential impact starter the Giants could grab for their linebacker rotation on Day 2.
Round 4 (No. 116 overall): David Moore, IOL, Grambling
Moore has some of the most dominant tape you’ll find in this draft class. A future NFLer going up against non-Power 5 competition, Moore shined often. He has a desire to go after defenders and plays with a mean streak the Giants should love. Sometimes he can get a little over-aggressive and that causes some balance and technique issues when engaging in space. But, I’d much rather have to tell a player to calm down and be more patient than try to get them to play with the kind of fire Moore has.
Round 6 (No. 196 overall): Joshua Kaindoh, EDGE, Florida State
With the Giants’ pass-rushing situation so bare in 2020, they could stand to double-dip at the edge position. Kaindoh has great size at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds. Though injuries limited what we could see from him throughout his collegiate career, he was a highly-touted recruit because of his natural abilities. When you watch him on tape, you can see why many believe his best days are ahead of him. If injury luck is on his side, he could be a good rotational defensive lineman in the Giants’ system.
Round 6 (No. 201 overall): Miller Forristall, TE, Alabama
Forristall won’t be competing for a top tight end job in the NFL due to limited size and athleticism, but he’s a good blocking tight end who you want in a wing alignment and a player who can be used in the passing game in short to intermediate situations. He can be a good special teams player, too. If he’s your TE3, then you have a pretty well-rounded tight end room. He would be good depth behind Engram and Rudolph—even with Kaden Smith and Levine Toilolo there now.
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