Now that the first wave of NFL free agency has come and gone, mock drafts should take on a different feel. Not so, says USA TODAY’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, whose latest mock draft still has LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Ohio State’s edge rusher Chase Young and cornerback Jeff Okudah as the first three players off the board.
The New York Giants, with the fourth selection, haven’t moved off the freakish talent that is Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, a hybrid linebacker/safety who described his best position simply as “defense.”
4. Giants — Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson: Having spent big to retain defensive lineman Leonard Williams and reel in cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Blake Martinez, general manager Dave Gettleman might be drawn to one of his beloved “hog mollies” with this pick. As much as quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley would benefit from such an addition along the offensive line, Simmons has a strong case as the most valuable option for Big Blue. Defenders with his versatility and range don’t come around often, and he could prove to be the catalyst the Giants have been lacking.
The re-signing of David Mayo and the addition of Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell won’t prohibit the Giants from taking Simmons, who as described above, is a special talent they can slip in to play several roles on the defense.
Simmons would be difficult to pass up at No. 4, but Gettleman will be torn because all of the top offensive tackle prospects will still be on the board. They won’t be on the board when the Giants pick again at No. 36, so if they decide in Simmons, they will have to be all-in.
