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NY Giants’ Draft: Top realistic targets at No. 11 pick

By Stephen Samra

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 28: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels with Jerry Jeudy #4 and Jaylen Waddle #17 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 28: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels with Jerry Jeudy #4 and Jaylen Waddle #17 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The NY Giants and their unexpectedly active free agency didn’t just improve their roster – it gave them flexibility in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Instead of desperately trying to fill positions of need, the team now has the freedom to draft the best player available – a strategy that’s paid dividends over the years.

The trades made this week by teams looking to move up to the forefront of the draft for a quarterback positively affected the Giants – basically guaranteeing we’ll see four quarterbacks go before the clock starts ticking on the Giant’s selection. A surplus of talent will be available at eleventh overall – the Giants won’t need to shove square pegs into round holes.

Offensive line, wide receiver, pass rusher – it’s impossible to get a read on the position the team is zeroing in on right now. Sandwiched between two of their NFC East rivals, it’s imperative that they don’t let a superstar slip through their fingertips.

Aside from the quarterbacks, there’s certain players on the Giants’ radar who won’t make it to their pick. Barring a trade up, it’s hard to see Oregon’s Penei Sewell, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase or Florida’s Kyle Pitts wearing NY on the side of their helmets next season.

Nevertheless, the team’s front office has to be salivating while running their mock drafts in preparation for April 29th. Even with tempered expectations, one thing remains true – they can draft a star at #11.

Here are the top 3 realistic options at #11 for the NY Giants:

3) An Alabama wide receiver

When Joe Judge was a special teams assistant for the University of Alabama, Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide team’s were built to win with elite defense and a strong run game. Things are a lot different in 2021 than they were in 2011 – Alabama didn’t win their latest National Championship despite their passing offense, they won because of it.

Two of the best receivers to ever step foot on campus in Tuscaloosa will be hoping to continue their success at the next level – the electric Jaylen Waddle, and Heisman winner Devonta Smith.

Each player is worthy of the No. 11 pick.

A receiving corps of Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, John Ross and Waddle/Smith would give the Giants one of the league’s best.

Smith’s numbers speak for him, 117 receptions, 1856 yards, 23 touchdowns and a Heisman Trophy – arguably the greatest college receiving season ever. His slight 170 pound frame could scare some suitors off, but his route running ability, glue-like hands and football savviness more than make up for it.

Waddle doesn’t possess the same gaudy stats as Smith, but his college tape is up there with some of the best receivers of the decade. His sudden explosiveness and lethal elusiveness have led to experts comparing him to Kansas City Chiefs star, Tyreek Hill.

The Giants may never get a chance to get a weapon like Smith or Waddle again. Giants’ general manager Dave Gettleman spoke on the need to get Daniel Jones play-makers this off-season – if he gets him Smith or Waddle in addition to Golladay, he would’ve done that and more.

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