Manny in California: I agree with the BBKL hosts that Ja'Marr Chase and probably DeVonta Smith will be selected before the Giants pick at No. 11, but given the likely run on quarterbacks (I think four in the Top 10 is a near certainty), it's very likely that WR Jaylen Waddle or TE Kyle Pitts will be there as the best value/need at that spot. Should all of them be gone, I hope the Giants could add a second- or third-rounder by trading down between No. 15-20, then use their first-rounder on Patrick Surtain or Caleb Farley at corner, or on Gregory Rousseau or Kwitty Paye off the edge.
John Schmeelk: There is a real chance one of those consensus four top playmakers will be there at No. 11. A good argument could be made for any of those three receivers being the top player at the position in the class. They are different types of players and team preferences/need will play a huge role in which one a team prefers. The number of quarterbacks selected in the Top 10 will also be a factor as to who is left. A big issue teams at the top of the first round will ask themselves is the depth of the drop-off between the top tier of receivers and those who will be available early in the second round. If teams don't see a large gap, they may wait on a receiver until Day 2.
It could be tricky finding a trading partner if you want to move down because it's often more difficult than people think. It might take a quarterback being left on the board to prompt another team to move up. And of the players you mentioned, it would be surprising if either of the top two cornerbacks were left by the 15th pick.
Cliff in New York: Would the Giants have been better off than the Chiefs were in the Super Bowl, given how Kansas City lost a starting tackle two weeks before the game? GM Dave Gettleman stressed developing line depth when he first took over, and then Joe Judge was coaching the linemen to play multiple positions.
John Schmeelk: Losing starting tackles such as Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher to injury was going to be extremely difficult to overcome. The Chiefs also had guard Laurent Durvernay-Tardif opt out before the season. Although Kansas City had versatile linemen who moved to try to limit the impact, this issue was going to show up against a top pass rush that could be found on a team like the Buccaneers.
If the Giants had to play against the Bucs' Jason Pierre-Paul, Shaq Barrett, Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh with reserve and starting offensive linemen playing out of their best positions, it's likely they'd give up pressure on the quarterback, too. Very good NFL offensive linemen are hard to find to begin with and salary cap constraints make it even more difficult to retain high-end backups on the roster.
