In the latest NFL mock draft, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports has the New York Giants doing the very obvious by taking a left tackle, a safety and an edge rusher.
The picks are based on need and it can be questioned if these are the best players for the job. The Giants did a decent job filling some needs in free agency and many are hoping they don’t do that here in the draft but rather bring in the most talented players they can to build upon.
Round 1, Pick 4: Jedrick Wills Jr., offensive tackle, Alabama (6’4″, 312)
Wills was dominant last season for Alabama and he’ll solidify the right side of the Giants’ O-line, which is great news for Daniel Jones.
With all four top tackles on the board, I would have rated Wills fourth, so my pick would have been Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs or Mekhi Becton of Louisville. That is, if the pressure to take Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons didn’t overtake me.
Round 2, Pick 36: Antoine Winfield, Jr., safety, Minnesota (5’9″, 203)
The Giants add a talented safety with NFL pedigree to their secondary.
Would not be my choice. I don’t like 5-foot-9 safeties (see Jayron Hosley). They get eaten up by tight ends and we’ve seen that way too often. The taller Ashtyn Davis of Cal was still on the board here, as was Iowa edge rusher A.J. Epenesa. I would have gone with one of them at this spot.
Round 3, Pick 99: Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte (6’3″, 248)
The Giants need to find some pass-rush help off the edge, and Highsmith is the type of prospect who can have an early impact.
I like Highsmith but only would have gone with him here if I didn’t take Epenesa. Still you can’t have too many pass rushers, so the more the merrier I guess.