NFL Draft 2021: When are NY Giants projected to pick after loss to Ravens? top targets?
The NY Giants are in the unique position of having a chance to win the NFC East or possibly picking in the top-five picks of the 2021 NFL Draft depending on the outcomes of Week 17
In arguably the most 2020 aspect of sports in 2020, the NY Giants still have a legitimate chance to win the NFC East and make the NFL Playoffs on Sunday afternoon.
The Giants enter Week 17 at 5-10, and if the season ended today would be picking No. 8 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
However, if the Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sunday and the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Washington Football Team, Joe Judge’s team would win the NFC East and make the playoffs. If the Giants lose, though, they could move up much close to the top of the draft order.
Depending on how the final week of the season plays out, there is even a scenario where the Giants could lose to the Cowboys and wind up picking as high as No. 3 overall.
Sunday’s blowout 27-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens exposed the vast talent gap between the Giants and legitimate playoff caliber rosters.
If the Giants fail to clinch a playoff berth next week, here’s a look at seven prospects who could reasonably still be available when they go on the clock next spring and should sit near the top of the team’s draft board:
Micah Parsons – LB, Penn State
Parsons is a dominant playmaker both as a pass rusher and disruptive sideline-to-sideline linebacker, who would be an ideal addition alongside Blake Martinez in the Giants’ front-seven.
Originally a five-star recruit as a defensive end, Parsons arrived to Happy Valley in 2018 and was immediately converted to inside linebacker where he became one of the most productive players at the position across the nation en route to becoming a first-team All-American in 2019.
As a sophomore in 201, Parsons produced 109 total tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery while proving to be a consistently dominant playmaker.
Giants defensive coordinator could use Parsons’ position fluidity as a weapon both coming off the edge or as an inside linebacker, and the Nittany Lion opt out might be the most athletically gifted defensive player on the Giants’ roster upon his arrival to East Rutherford if he’s available when the Giants go on the clock.