NFL Mock Draft 2021: How Deshaun Watson trade might impact NY Giants
The NY Giants have the opportunity this offseason to add a 25-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback, in the Texans’ Deshaun Watson, and Houston reportedly has set an asking price that general manager Dave Gettleman can easily meet.
However, if the NY Giants do act boldly and trade for Watson to drop into an offense that features running back Saquon Barkley, wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton along with tight end Evan Engram, it could cost up to four draft picks or more.
The Texans reportedly are seeking two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and two young defensive starters.
Scheduled to pick No. 11 overall, the NY Giants could lose a potential blue chip player in a potential Watson trade, but what might the Giants’ draft haul look like if they did pull the trigger?
Using Pro Football Focus’ NFL Draft simulator, here is a look at one simulation of how the first two rounds would play out as well as our projections for the Giants’ third through seventh-round picks play out:
Round 1, pick No. 11 (Hypothetically traded to the Houston Texans)
Three highest rated prospects available: Caleb Farley (CB – Va. Tech), Gregory Rousseau (DE – Miami), Patrick Surtain (CB – Alabama).
While all three players would fill immediate needs for the Giants, it is difficult to envision any of them having the impact on the trajectory of the franchise that Watson would make immediately.
Round 2, pick No. 43 (Hypothetically traded to the Houston Texans)
Three highest rated prospects available: Carlos Basham (Edge – Wake Forest), Jaelen Phillips (DE – Miami), Walker Little (OT – Stanford).
Similar to the first-round, these are potential plug and play starters, even at premium positions, but Watson is a transcendent talent at the most important position in sports. Little might plug the biggest hole as a potential bookend tackle opposite last year’s first-round pick, Andrew Thomas, but if Matt Peart develops then Little would be a luxury.