The NY Giants might miss out on Trevor Lawrence, but could land an elite prospect to fill an immediate need in the 2021 NFL Draft
If the 2020 NFL season ended today, the NY Giants would own the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft next April.
While there’s still plenty of football left to be played, 10 more games for the Giants, the third overall pick would mean the Giants would miss out on the chance to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
But, that would likely give the Giants the pick of the draft class when it comes to the best non-quarterback prospect to bolster a roster that as of this week has won just 10 games dating back to Week 1 of the 2018 season.
With needs remaining along the offensive line, linebacker, cornerback, and wide receiver, even if the Giants lost out on one of the premier quarterback prospects, New York would have a chance to plug a dire need with a potentially elite player.
Here’s a look at three prospects the Giants could target next April, if they wind up picking No. 3 overall:
LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
The consensus No. 1 linebacker in this year’s class, Parsons became an All-America at inside linebacker as a sophomore at Penn State, despite arriving in Happy Valley as a five-star prospect and one of the nation’s premier high school defensive ends.
At 6-foot-3 and 244 pounds, Parsons checks all the boxes defensive coordinators look for; he gets downhill quickly, tremendous instincts, a nose for the football, and game-altering closing speed after running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds.
Parsons would have the opportunity to start immediately either alongside Blake Martinez at inside linebacker or vault to the top of the pass rush rotation opposite Kyler Fackrell.
Pro Football Focus lists Parsons as the most complete linebacker the outlet has ever graded ahead of an NFL Draft, giving him a 94.8 run-defense grade, a 91.4 pass-rushing grade, and credits Parsons with just 11 missed tackles in 198 attempts.
If Parsons is on the board when the Giants are on the clock, his marriage of production and pedigree are going to be tough to pass up.
OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
The Giants chose Andrew Thomas No. 4 overall this past April, and Thomas’ growing pains might push Sewell up the board this spring.
Sewell, 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, is the consensus No. 1 tackle prospect in this year’s draft and an elite pass-protector.
Prior to opting out this season, Sewell earned the highest overall grade Pro Football Focus ever awarded to an offensive lineman, 95.8.
While third-round pick Matt Peart has played well when given the opportunity to, the Giants could easily draft Sewell to anchor the offensive line at left tackle and hold a competition next spring and summer between Thomas and Peart for the right tackle spot and feel good about having bookends for the next decade in front of Daniel Jones or whoever is the quarterback of the future.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
If the Giants’ offense in 2020 has proven anything, it is that it lacks a consistent, true No. 1 wide receiver that Jones can rely on.
Darius Slayton has far and away been Jones’ favorite target, catching 25 passes for 406 yards and three touchdowns. But, Slayton has accounted for 33 percent of Jones’ passing yards and all of his touchdowns.
That just isn’t sustainable.
Waddle, 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, can take the top off a defense, and is capable of turning any reception into a big play after the catch. Last season, Waddle averaged 17 yards per reception while catching 33 passes for 560 yards and six touchdowns.
With the ability to cut on a dime, and extreme acceleration, it isn’t difficult to picture Waddle as a true No. 1 receiver in the mold of CeeDee Lamb or Justin Jefferson from this past spring’s loaded receiver class.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.