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In the very first Pro Football Focus mock draft of 2021, the New York Giants selected Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 11 overall. Back in August, PFF had the Giants taking Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau.
On Monday, PFF switched things up yet again.
Following the conclusion of the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, PFF recalibrated and updated their mock draft. This time around, the Giants stick with their plan of adding playmakers but do so at the wide receiver position.
With Pitts still on the board but both Devonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase gone, PFF has the Giants selecting Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
11. NEW YORK GIANTS: WR JAYLEN WADDLE, ALABAMA
Daniel Jones probably impressed the Giants brass just enough to keep his job another year, so they must protect him any way they can. They took a tackle last season, so NFL logic dictates that they can’t take another offensive lineman. This means Jaylen Waddle is coming to the Big Apple.
Stylistically, Waddle is my favorite receiver in the draft — the speed is shocking. It shouldn’t be legal to average 11.2 yards after the catch per reception, as Waddle did over the past two years at Alabama.
The Giants had consistent issues with both speed and separation from their receivers in 2020, but at just 5-foot-10, is Waddle the sort of playmaker they’re looking for?
Unless they decide to make some changes, the Giants will head into the 2021 regular season with Sterling Shepard (5-foot-10), Golden Tate (5-foot-10) and Darius Slayton (6-foot-1) as three of their receivers. The common theme is their short stature, which is something general manager Dave Gettleman would potentially like to change.
However, if the Giants do pass on adding a tall receiver with long reach and a good jumping ability, drafting a player like Waddle makes sense. He is incredibly explosive and game-changing when healthy, which would be a Godsend for quarterback Daniel Jones.
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