Ian in Pennsylvania: Do you think the best player available would be Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at #11? He would definitely help transcend the Giants defense into a Top 5 defense. I don't believe that drafting a WR or OL is feasible at #11 overall – they can wait until Day 2 for those positions.
John Schmeelk: Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah (aka JOK) is a very good player, but he is not a traditional linebacker. He weighed in at 221 pounds at his pro day and there have been whispers he played at 210-215 pounds in his last year at Notre Dame. JOK lined up in the slot more than he did in the box playing Notre Dame's unique "rover" position. He could play next to Blake Martinez, but he is not someone you want taking on offensive lineman between the tackles. You want him in space where he can come downhill or track players down in space. If you take the position off his name, he looks more like a box safety than he does a linebacker and could easily be confused for a Landon Collins or Jabrill Peppers. It would be hard to sell selecting JOK over Micah Parsons as a traditional inside linebacker. You can find good wide receivers or offensive linemen on Day 2, but you aren't nearly as likely to find elite players at those positions to help Daniel Jones and the offense.
Mike in Colorado: GM Dave Gettleman preaches to take the best player available over need. But if there is an offensive lineman ranked slightly lower, the Giants must take that person, right?
John Schmeelk: If the grades on two players are very close, need can come into play. However, if the Giants can pick a defensive player or wide receiver they project as a Pro Bowler, they should not pass on those players just to select someone they project to be a starting-caliber offensive lineman (you could find one on Day 2). Do not use a first-round pick on a player you can get in the second round.
James in Massachusetts: With the wide receivers and Kyle Pitts in this draft at the top of the class, the Giants need to get one of those weapons, unless there's a top offensive lineman with a better grade than the pass catcher. The only players outside of those areas are Parsons or the top-rated cornerback. What will the Giants do at No. 11?
John Schmeelk: Your focused is on the right positions and players. Kyle Pitts is extremely unlikely to get to the Giants at 11th overall. Nor can you expect cornerback Patrick Surtain to get to them either, given the Cowboys' needs at No. 10. There's a good chance the Giants will have the opportunity to draft one of the top two offensive linemen (Rashawn Slater, Penei Sewell), Parsons or one of the top three wide receivers (Ja'Marr Chase, Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle). The odds are extremely small all of them will be gone by then.
Chris in New York: Will the Giants trade down to #15 with the Patriots, who will take the #11 spot to take a quarterback?
John Schmeelk: If the Giants trade down, it will likely be for a team to move up to select one of the remaining top five quarterbacks. There is a chance, however, all five are taken in the top 10, which would limit the Giants' trade options. Keep an eye on the Falcons and Broncos, who could take quarterbacks, and the Panthers and Broncos, who could trade out of their spots with teams looking for a quarterback.
