"Make the Case" is once again in session on Giants.com.
In this series, we look at projections provided by analysts and then ask you, the fans, to weigh in on what the Giants should do in the draft.
Next up is a debate between an explosive offensive playmaker and one of the most versatile and athletic pass protectors in the 2021 draft.
Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle vs. Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater
Jaylen Waddle
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10 / 182 pounds
2020 stats: 6 games, 28 receptions for 591 yards and four touchdowns
Rashawn Slater
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4 / 304 pounds
2019 stats: 11 games, allowed zero sacks, one quarterback hit and five quarterback hurries (opted out of 2020 season)
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: Jaylen Waddle - "Waddle would give them the draft's best deep threat, a speedy playmaker who will also make an impact in the return game. I thought about edge rusher here as well."
Charles Davis, NFL Media: Jaylen Waddle - "A strong case can be made for snagging an edge rusher here, but adding another talented playmaker for QB Daniel Jones makes sense, too."
Joe Marino, The Draft Network: Rashawn Slater - "New York has to be thinking offense with this pick and general manager Dave Gettleman appears focused in free agency on adding to the skill positions, opening the door for another investment on a hog molly for the offensive line, especially with the departure of Kevin Zeitler."
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Rashawn Slater - "The lineman with five position flexibility arrives in the Big Apple as a player that could fill a hole at center or guard."
Adam Rank, NFL.com: Jaylen Waddle - "The smart play might be to go with one of the premier edge rushers available at this spot, because it's truly a team need. You guys have already added Kenny Golladay, Kyle Rudolph and (checks notes) John Ross to the mix on offense, so going with Waddle might be considered overkill at this point. But I'm of the mind that you give Danny Dimes every available resource to be successful in this league."
Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus: Jaylen Waddle - "Waddle is the first Alabama wide receiver off the board in part due to the deep speed that showed up in his averaging 18.9 yards per reception over his three-year career. Waddle was actually the highest-graded Alabama receiver on their loaded 2018 team. He adds a vertical weapon for QB Daniel Jones, who was quietly one of the best downfield passers in the league a year ago."
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah updated his ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft for the final time before the start of the draft.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: - Rashawn Slater - "We would take DeVonta Smith but Dave Gettleman likes big guys, which is why we won't be shocked if Rashawn Slater (who we also like a lot) is the pick here."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Jaylen Waddle - "Waddle, like his Crimson Tide teammate Smith, is a highly skilled all-around receiver the Giants could use to run all the routes and get open everywhere outside for Daniel Jones. He could easily take over as the "X" go-to guy in New York, with Sterling Shepard sliding back into his best position as the "Y" in the slot and Darius Slayton settling into the big-play threat "Z"."
Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network: Jaylen Waddle - "With Kenny Golladay signed, the WR room is strong—but Waddle brings it to another level."
Ben Linsey, Pro Football Focus: Rashawn Slater - "Slater is more than capable of beginning his NFL career at guard on a team that boasts Will Hernandez (58.1 PFF grade in 2020), Shane Lemieux (32.2) and the recently signed Zach Fulton (63.0) as its current top options at the position. Slater's athleticism and clean technique give him a real chance of having success outside at tackle despite being undersized for the position, as well."
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com: Jaylen Waddle - "Waddle gives the Giants a speedy field-stretcher who will open things up for Kenny Golladay and Evan Engram. The Alabama prospect adds return ability, as well as the juice to take a slant to the house."
Ben Standig, The Athletic: Rashawn Slater - "Though he's a tick undersized, one talent evaluator said Slater is one of the most technically sound offensive linemen he's ever scouted."
Chris Burke, The Athletic: Jaylen Waddle - "With Kenny Golladay demanding attention outside, Waddle could run wild across the middle of the field."
View photos of every player projected to the Giants in mock drafts just days ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.