NFL 2021 schedule release: NY Giants 3 matchups to watch

NY Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Giants’ secondary vs. DeVonta Smith

During the first round of the NFL Draft, many believed the NY Giants had eyes on one player in particular – Alabama’s DeVonta Smith.

As the Giants waited for their turn to pick, Smith continued to fall. As Patrick Surtain II was announced to the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys were about to be on the clock, reality began to set in – Smith was going to be a Giant.

Then, the trade that nobody saw coming – bitter rivals teaming up when the Cowboys traded their selection to the Philadelphia Eagles. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” said Judge, when asked about the swap.

The NY Giants didn’t need more motivation to defeat the Eagles – animosity reaching new heights after Philadelphia’s gutless performance against Washington in the final game last season. While the Eagles got an electrifying prospect by trading up, they also pushed their rivals to a new limit –  it’s been reported the Giants were ‘livid’ when Philadelphia traded ahead of them.

Even Smith was surprised to be an Eagle – saying he was ‘shocked’ by the trade, thinking he was ‘for sure’ going to New York.

While the Giants may have loved Smith as a prospect, now they have to make sure he doesn’t burn them.

Gettleman kept Adoree’ Jackson from getting to Philadelphia when he signed him in free agency, and now Jackson and the rest of the Giants’ secondary can make the team feel a little better by shutting down Smith. The rookie wide receiver immediately becomes the biggest threat the Eagles’ possess – if the Giants can shut him down, it’ll likely be enough for a victory.

Quieting Smith won’t just help the Giants to a better record – it’ll provide them with solace by sticking it to the Eagles for dashing their dreams of drafting the former Alabama wide out.