Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on things such as travel and face-to-face communication, the New York Giants have chosen to be very selective about which college pro days they attend.
“Because of the travel around the country right now and then also some of the restrictions at the campus, we’re going to be selective about where we send coaches as far as being out to work guys out because, again, you’re more going there as an observer than you are to actually work out the players. It’s definitely different than in the past,” head coach Joe Judge said earlier this month.
“Will there be people out there? There will. Is it going to be as much traveling as in the past or as much interaction? No, it won’t.”
That ultimately means the Giants will be extremely selective when it comes to attending pro days in person, which is why Chris Pettit, the Giants’ director of college scouting, and secondary coach Jerome Henderson showing up in Georgia is so significant.
Giants director of college scouting Chris Pettit kneeling in gray pants, navy quarter zip on upper left. Ojulari about to go through the 3-cone. #Giants #NFLDraft https://t.co/I51ersORdj pic.twitter.com/P3iXVFDBi4
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 17, 2021
The Giants remain in need of an edge rusher and it’s beginning to look more and more like they’ll take one in the draft. Azeez Ojulari is an obvious target and the Giants wanted to put eyes on him in person.
This is what our friends at Draft Wire had to say about Ojulari:
One of the most exciting pass rushers in this year’s class, Ojulari’s impressive 2020 campaign turned him into a potential top-20 pick. He has the explosion, speed and bend to become one of the most feared quarterback hunters at the next level.
In addition to Ojulari, Henderson also spent some time working with Georgia cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes, each of whom are projected second round picks.
New York also got an up close and personal look at 6-foot-6, 335-pound guard Ben Cleveland, who could be a mid-round target.
The Giants — and general manager Dave Gettleman in particular — are no strangers to drafting players out of Georgia. In recent years, New York has taken cornerback DeAndre Baker, linebacker Tae Crowder, edge rusher Lorenzo Carter and, of course, left tackle Andrew Thomas.
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