The New York Giants face a crucial season. They have lost ten or more games four seasons in a row in a league that basically doesn’t allow for that ineptitude.
The current system is set up so that teams can get back on their feet after three losing seasons. The Giants, under the direction of general manager Dave Gettleman, have not followed the script and have paid the price.
The draft strategy cannot be defined until they see what happens in free agency. If they manage to close one – or both – of their star defensive leaders and add an offensive free agent in their free agency, their draft strategy in the first three rounds will naturally change.
Either way, there are players who just can’t get past the number 11 overall. Here are four.
Kyle Pitts, Texas, Florida
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Kyle Pitts should be the Giants ’main target in April. It is a final prototype in a league that values position very much. The Giants may be saying nice things about Evan Engram, but the reality is you can’t be trusted. Here they will take Pitts with a heartbeat, and they should.
In many fake draft simulations, Pitts reaches number 11 and teams will be eager to change to get it. My advice is to weigh any deal that offers a first round before choosing the number 25 plus two other picks in the top 100. Otherwise, Pitts is a giant. It will provide Daniel Jones with a solid goal that will allow him to move the chains and open things up in the red zone.
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
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Patrick Surtain is likely to be on the board when the Giants are on the clock at number 11. Unless they’re happy with their No. 2 spot in the outside corner, taking Surtain makes a lot of sense. It would add another possible Pro Bowl level talent to the already talented Giants high school and free them up to grab players in other positions in subsequent rounds.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
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Jaylen Waddle has a lot of fun around him right now, which has created some apprehension when it comes to taking it. It’s not exactly what the Giants need, but I can see them selecting it if it comes out of the top 10.
Waddle would provide the Giants with a game creator on both offensive and special teams, and we know how much they value special teams. Waddle is a player for whom opponents will have to plan the game, something the Giants don’t have at the moment.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
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Micah Parsons is one of the top five talents many teams might be reluctant to select due to some dubious off-field problems in college. Another question is whether or not these reports send him into free fall. If they do, the Giants will have to consider Parsons here. After losing Devin White two years ago to a selection, they will be seriously debating Parsons, which many believe is a better prospect than White.