We'll focus on draft questions for the remainder of the month. If you're interested in the draft, check out the Giants Huddle Podcast and Big Blue Kickoff Live for draft talk every day from now until draft night.
Steve in New York: Now that the Giants have invested in free agents to fill some of their needs, I hear a lot about edge players in the draft, but very little about Lorenzo Carter or Oshane Ximines. They had both been developing pretty well before injuries. Will they be a bigger part of the picture moving forward?
John Schmeelk: Carter rarely left the field (98% of the snaps) before he hurt his Achillies in Week 3. Ximines played 46 defensive snaps in Week 3 before he injured his shoulder. Both players will be involved off the edge in 2021, but that doesn't mean there isn't room to add more pass rush help. Neither Carter nor Ximines have proven they can rush the passer consistently and the draft is filled with pass rushers who have intriguing traits that could turn into future pass rush production.
George in Florida: Hi John - If these three prospects are sitting at #11 who do you pick and why? LB Micah Parsons, WR Jaylen Waddle, or TE Kyle Pitts?
John Schmeelk: All of these players are projected at Top 15 picks in whatever order you choose. For the purposes of this exercise, let's go with Pitts first. He is 6'6 and 240 pounds, a willing blocker, and put up better testing numbers than Mike Evans. Players who can do what Pitts does at his size are unique and don't come around very often. Waddle would be second. This was a tougher decision, but Waddle's speed and change of direction ability are special. He is a big play waiting to happen. Then, Parsons. He will be a starting inside linebacker in this NFL for a long time. He has the speed to go sideline to sideline, the strength to stop the run and is an excellent blitzer.
Karl in Maine: There are several mock drafts showing Ja'Marr Chase , DeVonta Smith, Waddle and Pitts could be gone by pick 11. If this played out, could the Giants consider trading down for extra choices and draft an offensive lineman later in the first round (maybe Rashawn Slater?) since their run/pass blocking was questionable and this year's WR pool is so strong.
John Schmeelk: If you want Rashawn Slater, trading down may not be advisable. He could be off the board early, perhaps even before 11th overall. The Giants could trade down a handful of spots and target a different offensive lineman such as Alijah Vera-Tucker or Christian Darrisaw.
Kevin in Georgia: If the quarterbacks get pushed up the board and the pass catchers and defensive players get pushed down, where should the Giants go at 11 if Patrick Surtain and Gregory Rousseau are there with some of the offensive playmakers?
John Schmeelk: There could be four or five quarterbacks and at least three of the four top offensive playmakers (Chase, Smith, Waddle, Pitts) to be gone in the first 10 picks. It leaves the following players considered by most analysts to be in the top tier of players: Parsons, Surtain II, Slater and Penei Sewell. The best pass rusher on the market should also be there. The bottom line is that whoever the Giants select, they will get a very good player.
