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The New York Giants want an impact player out of their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft? Well thank you, Captain Obvious.
We know, we know… All 32 teams want the same thing out of their first-round pick, so that statement could not be more evident. But there’s more to it than just that.
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While speaking with reporters on Thursday via Zoon, general manager Dave Gettleman drilled down a bit on that topic and made it clear the Giants need a Day 1 starter out of the No. 11 overall pick and not a talented project who is more likely to contribute down the line.
“It’s really hard to take a guy at 11 that you’re betting on the potential, he’s got all the PQ’s,” Gettleman said.
Gettleman then elaborated further, using Robert Williams of the Boston Celtics — the GM’s favorite NBA team — as an example of potential talent vs. immediate starter.
“I look at it this way, I’m a Celtics fan — don’t be angry — but I’m a Boston Celtics fan. A couple years ago, the Celtics drafted Robert Williams out of [Texas A&M],” Gettleman explained. “He was a one-and-done guy with all kinds of potential. Well, now it’s year three and he’s finally starting to play to his abilities, okay?
“In the NFL, I’ve got to be really cognizant of the coaches. They’re under the pressure to win all the time. Every Sunday is a referendum on their skills as coaches and you’ve got to be really careful when you start taking guys that high that you love the physical skills and the potential, but how long is it going to take for it to show on the field? So that’s kind of the balance I have to get to.”
Given that quarterback Daniel Jones is facing a make-or-break season and that Gettleman’s job is likely on the line, it adds to the urgency of finding a Day 1 starter and not a project who will come on three years down the line. There’s only one position where that’s acceptable and the Giants have already addressed that.
Ultimately, this means the Giants are going to target a sure-thing; a safe pick they know will plug and play in 2021.