NY Giants mock draft: Dave Gettleman’s ideal haul

The 2021 NFL Draft is now just one week away, and NY Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is armed with the No. 11 overall pick to continue buttressing a roster around quarterback Daniel Jones, and in hopes of putting the finishing touches on a playoff contender.

With just six total selections, Gettleman and the NY Giants could always move down from the No. 11 spot to add additional draft capital in this and next year’s draft. But, given the breadth and depth of the wider receiver class, it’s entirely possible the NY Giants add another weapon to Jones’ arsenal.

Likewise, even though coordinator Patrick Graham’s defense made strides last season, glaring holes at inside linebacker, edge rusher remain and bolstering depth in the secondary remains a going concern.

That is the route that NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter projects Gettleman and the NY Giants go with their first two selections in the 2021 NFL Draft:

"Round 1: No. 11 overall — Kwity Paye, edge, MichiganRound 2: No. 42 overall — Levi Onwuzurike, DT, WashingtonGM Dave Gettleman could continue to improve the team’s offense, as he did by signing receiver Kenny Golladay last month. But Paye’s power and agility on the edge would really bolster the team’s pass rush. He dropped down to 261 pounds at his pro day, showing he can play as a stand-up defender. Gettleman could be thinking receiver in Round 2, but he might not be able to pass up a defensive tackle that plays very much like Dalvin Tomlinson, who departed in free agency. Onwuzurike is only 290 pounds right now, but he could get bigger and still maintain his quickness off the ball."

Paye would step in as an immediate starter, after producing 11.5 sacks over four seasons at Michigan, thanks in part to his explosiveness and elite twitch that helped him become a disruptive playmaker off the edge.

Pass-rusher is a position the NY Giants have yet to address this offseason, and seem to be relying on Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines both returning to form from significant injuries suffered last season and taking significant strides in their development in 2021, and beyond.

Adding Paye to that mix could help Graham’s defense make major strides, after producing 40 sacks, which was 12th most in the NFL.

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