Tonight’s College Football Playoff Championship Game features two of the premier teams in all of the sport: the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes. There’s a boatload of talent on both teams, but which players should the NY Giants be watching?
The most popular scouting event for National Football League teams takes place tonight, as all eyes will be on the College Football Playoff Championship Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Alabama Crimson Tide, including those of the NY Giants’ decision makers.
While there are a multitude of different reasons to watch, the allure of your favorite team drafting one of these young studs is near the top of the list.
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes have been talent pipelines for NFL teams over the league’s history – this year is no different. Each squad features a bevy of potential day one picks, and the NY Giants should have their eyes glued to the screen.
NY Giants’ general manager Dave Gettleman stressed one thing over all in his season-ending press conference: play-makers. It’s a very real possibility that we’ll see one of these Crimson Tide or Buckeye receivers catching touchdowns from Daniel Jones next season.
Let’s take a look at the players that Giants’ decision makers and fans alike should have their eyes on tonight:
Alabama’s offense
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: Waddle was supposed to be the number one receiver in the Crimson Tide’s offense, but an ankle injury cost him a majority of his season. He’s still as dynamic as any receiver in the nation, including his Heisman winning teammate, DeVonta Smith. He can be a game changer in the National Football League, as well as instantly becoming the best playmaker the NY Giants have had at receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. Waddle will be a top eleven pick in the draft, it’s just a matter of which receiver, if any, makes it to the Giants.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: The Heisman Trophy winner is my personal favorite when it comes to receivers in this year’s draft. Since putting himself on the map by catching the game winning touchdown in overtime to beat Georgia in the 2018 National Championship, all he’s done is perform. His 105 catches, 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns is one of the great stat lines for a receiver in college football history. Smith has fantastic hands, runs crisps routes, and has game-breaking speed. He’s a threat to take it to the house every single time he catches the ball. NY Giants’ fans remember how Odell Beckham Jr. had that very same ability – an ability they’ve been searching for since his departure.
Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama:
Could Dave Gettleman get another hog molly in the first round? Alex Leatherwood manned the left tackle position this season for the Crimson Tide, and he helped quarterback Mac Jones have the best season in school history. The unanimous first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC pick could help bookend the offensive line for years to come with another former SEC player in last year’s first round pick, Andrew Thomas. While I don’t expect the Giants to draft Leatherwood, it all depends on how comfortable the Giants are with Matt Peart slotting in at RT next season.