It’s called “Mock Draft” for a reason. It is neither authentic nor genuine, but there is no intention to deceive. We’ll leave the art of deception to NFL general managers, as at this time of year they revel in misinformation.
It’s not fun to take the same path, so we decided to get a little nervous about Mock Draft 2.0, taking risks, leaning on some currents, and relying on ever-popular assumptions to get the Giants ’six selections.
For this Giants Mock Draft 2.0, we used the Pro Football Network simulator, after going with the Pro Football Focus simulator for Mock Draft 1.0. We will continue:
Round 1 (No. 11) – EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
The first two offensive linemen, Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater, are off the board, but receiver Jaylen Waddle is there. The Giants take a surprise, going with an elevator that several scouts describe as the best candidate for the rush in this draft. Let’s be realistic, this is a position of necessity. Eyelet is not a big size (6 feet 2, 249 pounds), but it is instinctive after the quarterback. He had 9.5 sacks as a second red shirt, including a three-sack performance at the Peach Bowl. Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham longs for versatility and Ojulari has it. He has superior coverage to Michigan’s Kwity Paye and should instantly contribute as a situation runner as he gets used to the NFL game. Here giants play. Eyelet could be available on an exchange, but we don’t do it here.
Voltes 2 (No. 42) – WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
The giants really like this guy and are delighted that he is available to pick him up. Toney was a featured star in 2020, with 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. He can also run it (19-161), an indication that it is a triple threat that can catch the ball on the field, cause damage to the jet sweepers and take the distance as a kicker. Toney could use more thickness on his 5-foot, 11-foot-193 frame, but it’s a blur (4.38 to 40) and should be a perfect addition to the wide body of receivers from Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Toney forced 43 missed attacks in his college career, the highest percentage per capture of any Power 5 expansion receiver since 2014.
Round 3 (No. 76) – OL Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Here’s a small school player who dominated at a lower level (Division III) of the competition and then completely surprised the NFL community with his performance in the Senior Bowl. It is projected as a nasty 320-pound protector that blocks the race, a place where the giants aren’t exactly loaded. This could be the last blue year for Will Hernandez, making it an area that needs to be fortified.
Round 4 (No. 116) – DT Tyler Shelvin, LSU
CEO Dave Gettleman loves his big pork chops and this is one of the biggest in the world. Shelvin at 350 pounds might be too big and you will need to control your weight and conditioning. It’s a massive, impossible-to-move nasal device with immediate depth and a big role in the near future, with veteran Danny Shelton signed with a one-year deal.
Round 6 (No. 196) – S JaCoby Stevens, LSU
Large, hard box security that needs to be in the right system to flourish, as it is a lower defender and may have difficulty covering. Graham is useful for all types of defensive backs and this tweener (linebacker or safety?) Can also find a role in special teams.
Round 6 (No. 201) – LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State
A three-loss defender who arrives a year in the Buckeyes ’career brings versatility and value to special teams. Joe Judge loves to stack up the defenders on the list.