On Tuesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay released their annual rotating mock draft — a sure sign that the actual NFL draft is just around the corner.
When it came to the New York Giants at pick No. 25 overall, Kiper had the call and went with Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks.
With the top three receivers off the board in this scenario, the Giants shouldn’t reach — which is what Todd is about to do for Dallas. New York should target a corner instead. Banks has the size, speed and instincts to be a No. 1 corner.
The Dallas “reach” was TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who many believe will be long gone by the time the Giants pick. If he’s not, general manager Joe Schoen may very well “reach” himself.
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was also still on the board at the time of this pick.
In Round 2 at pick No. 57 overall, Kiper again had the call for the Giants. This time around, he went with Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz.
Todd and I probably overuse “plug and play,” but that’s exactly what Schmitz offers for the Giants. They need a starting center, and he can be that. He is a complete lineman.
Schmitz would be a Day 1 starter and arguably the best center the Giants have had in quite some time.
Finally, in Round 3 at pick No. 89 overall, Kiper mocks Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell to the Giants.
Dell had 199 catches over the past two seasons, and he was used inside and outside. In fact, 61 of those catches came when “Tank” was aligned wide right, while 60 receptions came when he was in the slot on the left side of the field. That’s versatility. At 5-foot-8, he isn’t big, but he has some ability after the catch. The Giants could add him to their stockpile of pass-catchers.
Another slot receiver. If there were awards for collecting them, the Giants would certainly be in the running.
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