NFL Mock Draft: NY Giants add another weapon for Daniel Jones at No. 11

The NY Giants spent free agency dramatically overhauling quarterback Daniel Jones’ supporting cast, including signing wide receivers Kenny Golladay, John Ross, and tight end Kyle Rudolph, but might not be done adding to the offense’s skill positions.

After Sterling Shepard finished as one of the NFL’s least-efficient wide receivers last season, but was the only NY Giants wide receiver to catch 60 or more passes, improving Jones’ arsenal in the passing game seemed inevitable this offseason.

In NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s latest NFL Mock Draft projection, the NY Giants tab former Alabama wide receiver — and Heisman Trophy winner — DeVonta Smith with the No. 11 overall pick:

"Even after the Giants’ signing of Kenny Golladay, I still get the sense Big Blue wants more weapons. Smith is the best route runner in the draft."

Smith, 6-foot and 175 pounds, averaged nine yards after the catch per reception during his four seasons at Alabama, and 2.8 yards run per route, according to Sports Info Solutions, underscoring Jeremiah’s point about his route-running.

If the NY Giants choose Smith in the first-round, he’d immediately vault to the starting job on the outside opposite Golladay, which would allow Darius Slayton to thrive as the No. 4 receiver on the depth chart, raising the overall talent level at the position to potentially become one of the premier receiving corps in the league.

Jeremiah isn’t alone in believing Smith is an ideal fit for the NY Giants, as an AFC scout recently told GMenHQ that the belief in side the NFL is that he is a top target of Giants general manager Dave Gettleman.

“He’s a stud,” an NFL personnel executive tells GMenHQ. “Devonta’s wires, super play speed, and a damn good route-runner. Whoever takes him is getting a big-play guy.”

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.