[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
In the latest mock draft from Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, the players selected aren’t a surprise but where they land is. Several trades into the top 10 shake things up a bit but it doesn’t change the New York Giants’ options much with the 11th overall selection.
Farrar sees the Giants landing on Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle at No. 11.
[vertical-gallery id=665243]
That pick comes with Waddle’s teammate DeVonta Smith, Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, LSU wideout Ja’Marr Chase. Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II and Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell off the board, so Waddle makes perfect sense for the Giants.
The Giants are determined to surround quarterback Daniel Jones with high-level playmakers, in part to make sure they know what they have at the game’s most important position. Adding Kenny Golladay to the receiver group in free agency certainly helps, and if the G-Men were also able to get Waddle in the draft, that could make New York’s offense something special.
Last season, Waddle proved to be a force multiplier both with short and deep stuff — he averaged 10.1 yards after catch per reception, and he caught six of the seven passes of 20 or more air yards thrown to him for three touchdowns and a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
All valid points in a normal world. But the Giants still have Jason Garrett calling the plays and unless he ‘verticalizes’ the Giants’ route tree, the addition of Waddle will have a minimal effect.
In 2020, Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones averaged 6.6 yards per completion, ranking him 23rd out of 25 qualifiers. That should increase greatly with the additions of Kenny Golladay and potentially Waddle, as well as the return of Saquon Barkley.
Golladay has averaged a whopping 17.9 yards per reception the past two seasons. Barkley has averaged 8.2 yards per catch over his career.