The NY Giants make a surprising pick with the No. 11 overall pick in latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft projection
The NY Giants have plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, and after finishing the 2020 season at 6-10, will pick No. 11 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Defensively, the NY Giants’ linebacker corps is in desperate need of a playmaker to pair alongside Blake Martinez and a blue chip cornerback opposite James Bradberry on the outside.
Meanwhile, on offense, the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and others have shown the value of pairing a young quarterback with dynamic wide receivers capable of stretching the field.
In CBS Sports’ latest mock draft, Ryan Wilson has the NY Giants filling another void: a bookend offensive tackle opposite last spring’s No. 4 overall pick Andrew Thomas; USC tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker:
"The Giants need pass rush help, but bolstering the offensive line may take priority. Andrew Thomas got better as the year progressed, but Vera-Tucker proved in 2020 that he can play either guard or tackle and excelled while doing it."
Vera-Tucker is rated the No. 4 offensive tackle by CBS Sports, and according to Pro Football Focus allowed a quarterback pressure on fewer than two percent of his pass-blocking snaps at USC. That’s the kind of stability the Giants could use along an offensive line still in the midst of a rebuild.
What could also make Vera-Tucker attractive to the Giants is his versatility to play tackle or guard, which could give the organization flexibility to move on from high-priced guard Kevin Zeitler or to pair alongside Thomas after Will Hernandez’ disappointing third season.
Wilson’s scenario has the Giants passing on Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, Alabama quarterback Mack Jones, and Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, among others.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.