If the New York Giants are intent on adding one of the top defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL draft, their best course of actions is to trade back and then select one.
You’ve heard those of us at Giants Wire repeat that ad nauseam for well over a month now, and it finally seems to be catching on. There is a growing consensus that none of the edge rushers are three-down players entering the NFL, while Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, arguably the most versatile defender available, comes with some red flags.
Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports took all of that into consideration when compiling his latest mock draft, and has the Giants trading back before selecting Parsons at No. 15 overall.
Micah Parsons has been tied to the Giants for a while now, and if they trade down and he’s still available, it makes even more sense.
Although Dajani does not offer exact details of the trade, the Giants sent the No. 11 overall pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for No. 15 overall and then some. And with the 11th pick overall, Bill Belichick & Co. select Alabama quarterback Mac Jones.
What makes this trade interesting is the realistic nature of it. Should Jones remain available after the first 10 picks are made, the Patriots are very likely to move up and target him, and there are, of course, connections between New York and New England.
The Giants would then be left with a choice between multiple defenders — many of them edge rushers. In this scenario, Parsons slid and allowed Big Blue to scoop him up. But even had he not fallen, New York would have had other options like Kwity Paye, Zaven Collins, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Azeez Ojulari and Jayson Oweh.
