Friday, April 2, 2021

New York Giants 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 8.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our New York Giants Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the New York Giants from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Giants:

EDSFootball - Hanson (4/1)

11. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

One of the bigger spenders in free agency, the Giants extended Leonard Williams after designating him with the franchise tag and signed Kenny Golladay and Adoree Jackson to multiple-year contracts. If the top 10 plays out this way, the pick may come down to Florida's Kyle Pitts, Alabama's DeVonta Smith or Slater. All three offensive prospects are in the top 10 of my 2021 NFL Draft Big Board.

Slater's critics may point to his lack of size and length, but if you watch Slater's tape against (former) Ohio State (and current WFT) edge rusher Chase Young, it's easy to project his ability to hold his own outside against NFL-caliber edge rushers.

ESPN - McShay (4/1)

15. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Giants look at USC guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, but they just took three linemen in the first five rounds last year, including Andrew Thomas at No. 4 overall. And while the defense was stellar last season, getting defensive coordinator Patrick Graham a versatile, rangy, fast, instinctive linebacker like Owusu-Koramoah will help keep it that way.

Baltimore Sun - Doon (3/31)

11. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

The Giants made a big splash in free agency by signing receiver Kenny Golladay, eliminating one of their biggest needs. They also appear to be content rolling with their young offensive linemen. Parsons, one of the freakiest athletes in this draft, can be a game-changing player at the second level of the defense and give the pass rush a boost it so desperately needs.

EDSFootball - Donahue (3/29)

11. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Now that the Giants have officially signed their new WR1 in Kenny Golladay, I expect them to turn their attention to the offensive line. The Giants ranked 31st in the league in pressure rate allowed last year. At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Slater may not be the biggest or strongest offensive lineman in the draft but he may be considered the safest because he could move inside. That's exactly what a team needs that is trying to protect what they believe to be their franchise QB.

San Diego Union Tribune (3/29)

11. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

The Giants are in need of another pass rushing threat to go opposite Leonard Williams. Paye is already an impressive run defender against the spread offense, which is becoming increasingly important in the NFL, and there are athletic indicators he will continue to improve as a pass rusher.

L.A. Times - Farmer (3/29)

11. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Good Giants teams are built around pass rushers. Rousseau could learn from playing alongside Leonard Williams.

New York Post - Serby (3/27)

11. Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC

A 6-foot-4, 315-pound blue-collar guy considered among the safest picks in the draft, with the positional versatility Joe Judge craves, could be a plug-and-play to replace Kevin Zeitler.

The Ringer - Kelly (3/26)

11. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

The Giants spent big in free agency to help out third-year quarterback Daniel Jones, inking Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million contract while adding speedster John Ross and tight end Kyle Rudolph on smaller deals. Following those moves, general manager Dave Gettleman can turn his attention to the defense. Parsons is a versatile playmaker who can line up off the ball and play the run on early downs. He also has blitzing and pass-rushing chops that would help on passing downs.

Newsday - Klopsis (3/26)

11. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)

After inking Leonard Williams to a massive extension, the Giants got Daniel Jones a No. 1 receiver in Kenny Golladay, then brought in Adoree' Jackson to play cornerback opposite James Bradberry, among other depth deals. That frees up GM Dave Gettleman to address other needs, the biggest one being edge rusher. Gregory Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season but was one of the nation's best pass-rushers in 2019 with 15 1/2 sacks. He's quite raw technique-wise but has excellent athleticism, burst and length -- just like the last first-round pass-rusher the Giants took: Jason Pierre-Paul.

Previous update: New York Giants Mock Draft Roundup 7.0

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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