As one season ends, another begins. That's right – it's mock draft time.
The 2021 NFL Draft order has come into focus with the conclusion of the 2020 regular season and the first round of the playoffs. The Giants, who finished second in the NFC East with a 6-10 record, hold the No. 11 overall pick.
"At the end of the day, this is an important offseason, roster-building offseason for us," general manager Dave Gettleman said in his season-ending press conference. "We've got some solid pieces. We've built up the lines. We've done some things. We have to continue to get good players and part of it is getting playmakers. … This is a goal of ours obviously for the offseason."
Below is a look at picks made by experts in their latest mock drafts:
Pick: Gregory Rousseau, DE/OLB, Miami-FL
Analysis: "Rousseau opted out this season, but he had 15.5 sacks for the Hurricanes in 2019 and has speed and power coming around the corner. Alternatively, offensive line, wide receiver or cornerback could be areas to keep an eye on for New York."
Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Analysis: "Smith certainly qualifies, as he's carried the Alabama offense despite being without his three fellow first-round receivers. He has racked up over 1,200 receiving yards, including the third-most yards after the catch in the country."
Pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Analysis: "The Giants need pass rush help, but bolstering the offensive line may take priority. Andrew Thomas got better as the year progressed, but Vera-Tucker proved in 2020 that he can play either guard or tackle and excelled while doing it."
Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Analysis: "The Giants upgrading at tight end with Pitts would be a smart decision as Daniel Jones enters his third season under center."
Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Analysis: "New York graciously welcomes the Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most productive wide receivers that college football has ever seen. DeVonta Smith is a polished performer and, by all accounts, a grounded young man that should pay immediate dividends for Joe Judge."
Pick: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Analysis: "The Giants are strong up the middle defensively and look much better at cornerback, but they are in desperate need of punching their old calling card on the edge under Dave Gettleman. Rousseau, who opted out of the Hurricanes season, didn't really need to play to boost his stock after posting 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in his lone significant and final season under defensive-minded head coach Manny Diaz."
Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Analysis: "Smith may not be the biggest receiver, weighing in around 170 pounds, but he has very good speed, is an extremely nuanced route-runner who creates easy separation, and is a nightmare with the ball in his hands after the catch."
Pick: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Analysis: "Paye is an ascending talent with elite physical gifts that could make him a dynamic threat off the edge for a Giants defense that is already stout on the interior."
Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Analysis: "The versatile tight end played just shy of 64% of his offensive snaps inline, but he dominated unlike any other tight end we had ever seen when he lined up out wide in single coverage. Pitts went toe-to-toe with press coverage when lined up out wide for 40 receiving snaps this season and came away with seven explosive receptions of 15-plus yards on those opportunities. We have never seen a tight end record more than two of those in a single year before Pitts this season."
Photos of 2021 NFL Draft prospect, Alabama WR DeVonta Smith.