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NFL Mock Draft 2021: NY Giants finish secondary rebuild with top CB?

By Matt Lombardo

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 28: Jaycee Horn #1 and Sherrod Greene #44 of the South Carolina Gamecocks attempt to intercept a pass intended for Asim Rose #10 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 28: Jaycee Horn #1 and Sherrod Greene #44 of the South Carolina Gamecocks attempt to intercept a pass intended for Asim Rose #10 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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For as much talk as there has been all spring about the NY Giants adding an offensive playmaker with the No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft, what if GM Dave Gettleman decides, instead, to invest the pick in finally completing the secondary rebuild?

The NY Giants have made bolstering the defensive backfield a priority the past two offseasons, signing Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry last offseason, choosing defensive back Xavier McKinney in the second-round last spring, and adding veterans Logan Ryan and Adoree’ Jackson via free agency.

But, one more cornerback just might lift this secondary to one of the most dominant in the NFL.

There’s exactly the direction the NY Giants go, in NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager’s latest NFL Mock Draft projection:

"Don’t be shocked if the Giants go cornerback here. Yes, they have Adoree’ Jackson and James Bradberry on the roster, but you can never have enough top-level CBs. Horn is viewed as just that. Giants fans may bristle at the team taking a corner over a WR, OT or pass rusher — but I would not be surprised at all if it’s Patrick Surtain or Horn."

Surtain, widely viewed as the premier cornerback in this class, falling to No. 11 would certainly be interesting. However, an argument can be made that adding him or Horn would make a lot of sense in Patrick Graham’s scheme.

Last season, Horn held opponents to a 33.3 completion percentage and 54.9 passer rating when targeting him, produced 16 total tackles, intercepted two passes, and flashed plenty of versatility.

Horn has the potential to be a dominant man-cornerback in the NFL, but last season played 71 snaps in the slot and 342 outside while producing a 78.4 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, after playing 330 snaps in the slot as a freshman.

Depending on how the top of the board goes, especially if wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Devonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle are all gone by the time the Giants go on the clock, cornerback could be a position to watch.

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

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