The players available when the NY Giants chose Kadarius Toney complicate how to evaluate Dave Gettleman’s haul in the 2021 NFL Draft
It takes three years to fully evaluate an NFL Draft class, but Kadarius Toney’s lack of production — and role in the offense — through his first two games, combined with what some of the players who were available to the NY Giants when they were on the clock, hasn’t inspired confidence in Dave Gettleman’s haul.
Micah Parsons, viewed as the premier defensive prospect in this year’s draft class, is off to an absolutely dominant start for the Dallas Cowboys, after being chosen No. 12 overall.
Sunday, Parsons moved from inside linebacker to defensive end, which is his natural position, and was disruptive throughout against the Los Angeles Chargers. Parsons finished Sunday’s game with one sack, two total tackles, and now has an 85.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus through his first two games.
As the NY Giants have produced only three sacks as a team, it is fair to wonder what kind of impact Parsons would have made in the middle of Patrick Graham’s defense that has surrendered 39 percent of third down conversations and allowed five-of-five fourth down conversion attempts.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers chose offensive tackle Rashawn Slater No. 13 overall, and he’s beginning to look like the prize of the last two offensive tackle draft classes.
Slater has allowed only four pressures through two games against the Washington Football Team and Cowboys.
By comparison, Andrew Thomas has also allowed four pressures while Nate Solder has surrendered one sack and four pressures, through two games.
Toney, whom the NY Giants selected with the No. 20 overall pick as part of the trade with the Bears has been a non-factor, thus far.
It is entirely possible that if the NY Giants don’t quickly turn their season around, the organization could own two picks in the top-10 selections next spring.
If that winds up being the case, there’s a real chance that someone other than Gettleman will be turning in the Giants’ draft card next April.
Unless Toney somehow climbs the wide receiver depth chart and begins making an impact, how that Bears pick is invested will be directly tied to how this year’s draft class is viewed, because Parsons and Slater already have the look of Pro Bowl caliber players, and the kind of difference-making talent the Giants sorely lack.
Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com.