The New York Giants have needs at multiple positions headed into the thick of the offseason. But with uncertainty surrounding the salary cap and its 2021 ceiling, much of their work will need to be done during April’s draft.
That leaves the door open to any number of picks, including the potential additions of an offensive lineman, wide receiver, tight end, edge rusher or cornerback.
Early mock draft have resembled a hodge-podge for the Giants for that very reason. There’s no consensus whatsoever and if we’re being honest, that makes things more fun.
In the latest mock from The Draft Network’s Benjamin Solak that uncertainty continued. Ultimately, Solak settled on Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley, but acknowledged that general manager Dave Gettleman could go in a different direction entirely.
Projecting for the Giants is tricky. You can’t rely on the David Gettleman hog-molly bit, as their defensive trenches are set—though a surprise pick on the offensive line is certainly within the cards. A splash at wide receiver would also make sense, though two of the top three players are gone; an improvement at EDGE rusher is still necessary, though the board isn’t great for EDGEs early in the first round.
We have seen Gettleman make big investments in the secondary recently. They traded up to spend a first-round pick on DeAndre Baker in the 2019 draft, a top-40 pick on Xavier McKinney, and spent big money on James Bradberry in free agency. Their efforts have been rewarded. With the additions of Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan, and Julian Love, the Giants have a strong secondary group. It’s just another outside CB away from being elite.
Caleb Farley replaces Isaac Yiadom at that spot. He won’t have to follow WR1s early, which is to his advantage, and he brings great man and zone flexibility—important for Patrick Graham’s defense in New York.
Although some would love the pick of Farley, there is one major caveat here… This pick comes with Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith still on the board. Ditto Florida tight end Kyle Pitts and several other potential Giants targets.
As much as the Giants need a quality CB2 and as talented as Farley is, would he be the best choice for a team that is in more desperate need of offensive help?
