Dave Gettleman and the NY Giants followed up a celebrated free agency with a NFL Draft performance that’ll make your head spin.
After the Philadelphia Eagles sniped DeVonta Smith from them via a shocking trade with the Dallas Cowboys, they pivoted to the trade market themselves.
For the first time in his career, the NY Giants’ general manager traded back – receiving a haul of picks from the Chicago Bears. The move was lauded by fans and analysts alike, as the team gained three picks – including a valuable 2022 first rounder.
Subsequently, now possessing the 20th overall selection, the Giants made Florida’ Kadarius Toney their first round pick.
The selection wasn’t met with the same exuberance that the trade earlier in the night was – many focusing on the team’s need for a ferocious pass rusher. Nevertheless, Toney was a star in Florida’s offense, just not the star that Giants’ fans have been focusing their draft wishes on.
Here’s a breakdown of the good, and the bad of the NY Giants drafting of Kadarius Toney, as well as a grade for the move:
The good:
Defensive coordinators are going to have plenty of sleepless nights when game planning for the Giants’ offense.
When Gettleman said he was going to get Daniel Jones play-makers, we should’ve taken him at his word.
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s unit now features an embarrassment of riches – Toney joining Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram.
Toney was a ball of lightning at Florida. He continually made defenders look silly with his acceleration, versatility and uncanny ability to find the end-zone.
The Giants haven’t had a play-maker of Toney’s caliber since they traded away Odell Beckham Jr. While many may say he’s just a slot receiver, he’s already proven he’s much more than that.
He brings infectious energy to the team, something Giants’ director of college scouting, Chris Petit, mentioned as something that impressed him. When the chips are down and the sun isn’t shining, Toney is a guy you want on your side.
With the selection of Toney, the Giants’ offense just got a lot more fun – and a lot scarier.
The bad:
The biggest knock on Toney’s game has been his route running ability.
While he’s electric with the ball in his hands, his ceiling as a route-runner has been questioned – many saying he may run into problems at the next level because of it.
Off the field, a reason why scouts pressed pause on the wide receiver wasn’t football related – it was due to his rap career. Toney, using his alias ‘Yung Joka’, expresses his creativity through music.
It was wondered whether rap was his first love, and even something the first round pick is more committed to than football.
When speaking on the subject, Toney said music wasn’t his ‘first priority’. At his pro day, with the pressure turned up to eleven, he stated “Like, don’t try to slander my football skills because I’m good at music. You know what I’m saying, that’s dead wrong – that’s wrong.”
It’s obvious Gettleman and Joe Judge felt comfortable enough with Toney’s personality to make him the team’s selection – and that should put fans at ease. The two men who have preached the importance of culture and commitment throughout their partnership together.
Athletes like Damian Lillard have been able to balance their athletic and musical passions seamlessly, proving that it could be done. The Giants’ hope is that Toney will be avoiding hits while scoring touchdowns on the gridiron, while making them on the side.
The grade:
It’s not the receiver that was expected to come to New York, but Toney can still be a big-time play-maker.
Turn on his tape from last season and you’ll come away impressed – he was arguably the most exciting player on a team featuring fourth overall pick, Kyle Pitts. His coach, Dan Mullen, even said that we haven’t seen the best of the wide receiver.
"“He keeps really erasing every question people have about him everywhere he goes,” said Mullen. “I still think his receiver skills are developing .. I still think he has a huge future .. he’s just really scratching the surface right now.”"
He’s impressed everywhere he’s played – even excelling at quarterback in high school. His coach, Lev Holly, knew Toney was going to be one of those special players.
"“When you got it, you got it,” said Holly. “I tell people this: him with a football in his hands, I am not surprised of what he can do with it. He can do the most craziest things.”"
The Giants are coming off a season where they had a historically bad offense. With the additions they made this off-season, it could be transformed into one of the league’s most exciting.
Fans will finally be able to return to MetLife Stadium this fall, and Kadarius Toney will give them their moneys-worth and more.