New York Giants’ ideal 7-round mock draft to jumpstart Joe Schoen’s rebuild
By David Solow
Round 3 (No. 81 Overall): Cade Otton, TE, Washington
Why would he be a good value for the NY Giants?
Cade Otton has the potential to be a solid starting tight end in the NFL.
The New York Giants would sign up for that in a heartbeat when it comes to their third-round pick. Otton has above-average hands and athleticism, which would allow him to contribute right away at a position of need for New York.
Otton had a disappointing 2021, but to no fault of his own (an ankle injury and an anemic offense are to blame.) The 6’5” TE is a competitive blocker that enjoys getting into it with defensive linemen and linebackers. He has all the skills to be a solid NFL TE, but he could slip to the end of the third round.
How would he fit on the 2022 Giants’ roster?
With the likely departures of Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph for the cap-space-deprived Giants, tight end has become one of the team’s most glaring needs. This means Otton would compete with Kaden Smith and whoever else for the starting tight end position right away.
NFL Comparison: Dawson Knox
Schoen and the Buffalo Bills picked their starting TE, Dawson Knox, at the end of the third round in the 2019 NFL draft. Just like Knox, Otton was never the go-to guy in college, but he played an important role for his offense and rose to the occasion when his number was called.