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The New York Giants are in desperate need of quality playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, so imagine a scenario in which LSU superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase falls to them in the 2021 NFL draft.
Improbable, right? But not impossible.
Although highly unlikely, Pro Football Network recently released a mock draft that provided a pathway for the Giants to snag Chase at No. 11 overall. It involved a few top-round trades and a wild run on quarterbacks over the top four picks.
It also included an unlikely scenario in which teams value Alabama wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle over Chase.
11. New York Giants: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Ja’Marr Chase is a stud weapon on the perimeter. With the Giants moving on from Golden Tate, they will need another weapon to help Daniel Jones. Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard aren’t true WR1s.
Chase’s ability as a receiver will help mitigate Daniel Jones’ accuracy issues and draw attention away from Slayton and Shepard.
This scenario is unlikely to ever see the light of day, but it’s a fun exercise when considering that most Giants mock drafts have centered around the same two or three players repeatedly. And somewhat ironically, those most often include Waddle and Smith.
In Round 2, PFN has the Giants selecting Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth.
The Giants and Evan Engram appear to be reaching a departure soon. The team will need a new replacement for him, as OC Jason Garrett loves to use TEs in his scheme.
Freiermuth isn’t a freak athlete in the sense of Kyle Pitts, but he wins with strength at the top of his routes and top-tier body control. He should prove to be a more reliable target than Evan Engram.
To close things out, PFN has the Giants selecting USC defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu, Washington edge rusher Joe Tryon, Oregon State edge rusher Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Cal cornerback Camryn Bynum and Kent State wide receiver Isaiah McKoy over the final five rounds.
This mock draft also includes a trade of tight end Evan Engram to the Los Angeles Chargers.
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