Giants 2021 Instant Redraft

The New York Giants are now a handful of days removed from selecting their six-player 2021 draft class. A quick tour of the NFL mediasphere shows that Big Blue has garnered plenty of praise for their work, with A and B grades scattered liberally around the internet. While the Giants may have had a solid draft, especially when factoring in their two trade-downs which netted them three extra picks for next year, they didn’t take the player I would’ve chosen with each one of their selections. The Giants surely don’t care about my opinion, nor should they, but a quick redraft could be fun to see an alternate reality of what Big Blue’s draft could’ve been. So, let’s go back and reselect for each one of New York’s six picks, based on who was actually available to them at the time.

Round 1, Pick 20: CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

The Giants actually went with Florida receiver Kadarius Toney here, but I would’ve gone with a long and versatile outside cornerback in Newsome instead. New York already has their starting outside corners in James Bradberry and Adoree’ Jackson, but Jackson can move into the slot to make room for Newsome, creating arguably the best cornerback group in the league. Newsome is capable in press coverage, which defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will likely use more this upcoming season, much like he did as the Miami Dolphins coordinator in 2019. But Newsome can also play Cover-2 and Cover-3 very well, giving Graham the ability to vary and disguise his schemes. Toney was a decent pick, but Newsome would’ve been equal or greater value at a premium position.

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Round 2, 50: EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia

This is the pick the Giants made themselves, and there won’t be any argument here. It was a shock to see Ojulari, widely mocked to go in the first round, drop all the way to the middle of the second. Big Blue were the beneficiaries, nabbing a gifted speed rusher who fits their 3-4 scheme to a tee. Ojulari could come in and be New York’s best pass rusher from day one.

Round 3, Pick 71: OG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State

The Giants took cornerback Aaron Robinson in this spot in real life, but since we already took a corner in this exercise let’s instead opt for the burly guard Davis to address New York’s questionable interior offensive line. Davis is a tough, people-moving run blocker that could thrive in a power-based run game like the Giants ran last year. He’s not very nimble in pass protection or swift in outside zone blocking, but he has the hands and technique to hold up against most pass rushing tackles. This pick would add much needed talent to a position group the Giants strangely ignored.

Round 4, Pick 116: WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State

Since we passed on the receiver Toney in the first round, let’s instead grab the similarly sized Wallace here in the fourth. Just like Toney, Wallace is 5’11” and just over 190 pounds, but plays much more of a downfield game. He excels in contested catch situations, regularly leaping over defenders for huge plays despite his less than imposing stature. He’s also a tough runner with the ball in his hands, although his route tree in college didn’t afford him many YAC opportunities. Wallace doesn’t possess great speed or burst, but his competiveness and reliable hands could make him a solid NFL starter. The Giants doubled up at EDGE here by taking Northern Iowa’s Elerson Smith, which was a good pick as well, but we’ll address wideout with Wallace.

Round 6, 196: WR Demetric Felton, UCLA

Big Blue opted for Arizona running back Gary Brightwell in real life, but instead we’re going with the running back/wide receiver hybrid in Felton. Felton played running back at UCLA, but he took mostly receiver reps at this year’s Senior Bowl and looks to be transitioning positions entering the NFL. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2020 while also averaging 7.2 yards per catch. In some ways he’s the poor man’s Toney. He doesn’t have quite the same explosiveness or movement skills, and he wasn’t nearly as productive last season, but he offers much of the same gadget-play potential and can offer plus-value as a returner as well.

Round, 6, Pick 201: OT Stone Forsythe, Florida

The Giants took corner Rodarius Williams (Greedy’s older brother) with this pick, but instead let’s take the high upside tackle Forsythe instead. At 6’8″ and 308 pounds, Forsythe has the ideal length and size you look for in a pass-protecting tackle. He has impressive fluidity and feet for a big man, and can typically stay with edge rushers to neutralize their speed. Forsythe’s high frame makes it nearly impossible for him to get leverage in the run game, so he won’t get much push in that regard. Still, nabbing a potentially strong NFL pass protector in the sixth-round isn’t too shabby.The Giants still don’t have a proven tackle tandem, and Forsythe is an intriguing developmental player at a high-value positon.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.