Athletic freaks the NY Giants should target in each round of the NFL Draft

Round 3 Targets

Jeremy Chinn-S, Southern Illinois

Why the NY Giants should target him:  The Giants lost games (like the game vs. Detroit) last year because of their inability to cover the deep half of the field. Chinn is a small school prospect but has the athleticism and ball skills to eventually develop into an elite safety in the NFL. The Giants would probably need to trade up into the 2nd or early third round to have a chance at Chinn.

Freakish athleticism: Chinn has elite safety size at 6 feet 3 inches and 221 pounds. He created plenty of buzz at the NFL Combine with a 41-inch vertical and 4.45 40 yard dash time. His athleticism allowed him to perform well at the Senior Bowl as well.

Personal excitement level if drafted: (9/10)  Chinn has been shooting up draft boards because of his Senior Bowl and combine performances. He held his own in man coverage against AJ Brown in 2018. There has been buzz that Chinn could move to linebacker, and if the Giants miss out on Isaiah Simmons, Chinn could play a similar role in the Giants defense.

Kyle Dugger- S, Lenoir-Rhyne

Why the NY Giants should target him: Dugger is another small school safety with limitless potential. He has the ideal size, speed, and physicality of an NFL safety. The Giants have a major need at safety and would be fortunate to draft Isaiah Simmons-lite at the end of the third round.

Freakish athleticism: Dugger seems like he was created by football coaches in a lab. He is the defensive back with the longest arms (32 7/8″), longest wingspan (78 1/2″) and largest hands (10 3/8″) in the draft class. His 42 inch vertical was the best of any player in the draft, and his 4.42 40 yard-dash at his size is why he reminds me so much of Isaiah Simmons.

Personal excitement level if drafted: (6/10)  Dugger has a very similar build to Kam Chancellor. I think he projects as a future box-safety. He could play right away for the Giants in sub-packages and special teams, but I feel like the Giants need a deep-half safety much more.

Round 4 Targets

Willie Gay Jr. -LB, Mississippi State

Why the NY Giants should target him: The Giants would regret passing on one of the uber-athletic inside linebackers from this draft class. The Big Blue ‘D’ has been lacking an off the ball linebacker that can roam sideline to sideline. Gay is the type of player that could excel in Patrick Graham’s system and make plays all over the field.

Freakish athleticism: William Gay Jr. needed to help himself at the NFL scouting combine after troublesome off the field issues in 2019, and he did just that. His 39.5 inch vertical, 11’6″ broad jump, and 4.46 40 yard dash time are all incredible numbers for a linebacker. Gay’s athleticism made him stick out in the SEC and will allow him to play all over the field in the NFL in a variety of roles.

Personal excitement level if drafted: (8.5/10)  I think linebacker has been the Giants’ biggest weakness for years, and I think Gay would be a great fit in Patrick Graham’s defense. When Patrick Graham was the defensive coordinator in Miami, he liked to have multiple linebackers roam up near the line of scrimmage on third downs to confuse the defense and blitz linebackers from multiple spots. Gay has the athletic traits to become a do-everything type of linebacker for the Giants.

Malik Harrison-LB, Ohio State

Why the NY Giants should target him: Harrison was a productive and versatile player for one of the best defenses in the country. The new coaching staff wants versatility and players that can do multiple things well, and Harrison is that type of player. Malik Harrison has the size (247 pounds) and athleticism to help anchor the middle of the Giants 3-4 defense.

Freakish athleticism: Harrison caught the attention of NFL teams at the combine with an insane 6.83 3-cone drill. This time was the best of any linebacker at the combine. His speed, power, and short-range ability will create havoc for offenses when he blitzes on third downs.

Personal excitement level if drafted: (6.5/10) Although Harrison can struggle in pass coverage, I think he would be a great value for the Giants in the fourth round. His impressive combine performance has him rising up draft boards and he could be gone earlier on day 2 of the draft.