The New York Giants are officially done selecting players at the 2021 NFL draft. They selected six players in all, a wide receiver, two edge rushers, two cornerbacks, and a running back.
They did not take an offensive lineman and it has sent the fans into a frenzy on social media.
“It’s really apparent that we have more confidence in our offensive line than you guys do,” Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said on Saturday afternoon in a media session with reporters. “We’re happy with the group we have.”
It’s hard to believe him, but the team had many opportunities to add an offensive lineman and simply didn’t. Gettleman said there wasn’t value there when their turn came to pick.
He’s right.
The Giants have a roomful of linemen they still know very little about. Drafting over them with marginal players would seem like a redundant exercise.
The Giants are very high on the three players they chose in last year’s draft — tackles Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart and interior lineman Shane Lemieux. They also have a lot of faith in center Nick Gates and veteran Will Hernandez, who was Gettleman’s second draft pick as Giants’ GM after Saquon Barkley.
The Giants signed veteran guard Zach Fulton in free agency and have tackle Nate Solder coming back fresh after a year off due to his opt-out. They also brought in former Jets center Jonotthan Harrison to compete/backup Gates and are still paying Spencer Pulley.
Gettleman, after the first several rounds, apparently did not see any value in this draft in the offensive line group. What would be the purpose of drafting a player you would eventually end up cutting or putting on the practice squad?
There is also speculation that the Giants are contemplating signing another veteran, possibly former Carolina Panther Trai Turner.
