NFL Draft: NY Giants Trade Down Targets in Round 1

Reports suggest NY Giants GM Dave Gettleman could trade down from the No. 11 pick for the first time in the NFL Draft, but who would New York target in Round 1? 

The NY Giants should have a strong, healthy amount of options to choose from with the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Slotting one pick outside of the top-10, there is a good chance a premier prospect falls into the Giants’ lap at No. 11.

Ideally, a run of 3-4 or even five quarterbacks taken in the 1st round will drop better players at other positions down the board. On the other hand, if only three quarterbacks go in the top 10, some teams may look to move up and nab a future QB.

Enter the NY Giants.

There has been a lot of discussion surrounding whether or not the Giants will trade their 1st round pick. GM Dave Gettleman has notoriously not traded back not just in the 1st round, but he has never traded back once in any round of every draft he’s been in charge of. It’s a glaring number and it’s something Gettleman addressed in his pre-draft press conference last week.

If the NY Giants do trade back in the 1st round, it will be their first time doing so since moving back from #25 to #32 in the 2005 draft to select Mathias Kiwanuka and pick up two extra mid-round picks.

This year includes a strong group of prospects to choose in a similar range of the top 11-20 or so overall. Trading back may be beneficial to NY to gain additional picks while also still grabbing a guy still on their board. It’s a big decision to weigh trading down, but a discussion that has certainly taken place in pre-draft meetings.

Here are 4 players the NY Giants can target with a trade back in the 1st round.

Azeez Ojulari: EDGE Rusher, Georiga

If the NY Giants elect to go with a pass rusher in the first round, it’s unclear if there are any defensive ends or outside linebackers worth taking at #11.

Simply put, the Giants would be better off with a Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith or Rashawn Slater at No. 11 than taking a more raw prospect off the edge.

Ojulari fits the Giants pass rusher mold with tentacle-like 34.5-inch arms that will make Dave Gettleman drool and Pat Graham foam at the mouth. Even better, the 2nd Team All-SEC defender racked up 15 sacks the last two seasons and is only turning 21 in June. Add in 12.5 tackles for a loss to go along with four forced fumbles, he is a disruptive forced off the edge. He has immense potential and the highest ceiling of any pass rusher in this draft. He may be a viable option at #11 so getting him later in the 1st round while getting extra free picks would be a dream start for Big Blue.