The Giants are drafting in the 20s, but still get one of the best offensive weapons in the draft
The New York Giants are still playing meaningful football in December.
In fact, it doesn’t get more meaningful than their Sunday Night game against the Washington Commanders. However, draft season is also starting to ramp up with the 2022 College Football season in the books. The top underclassmen are beginning to declare for the draft and preliminary boards will take shape.
ESPN’s Todd McShay released an early first-round mock draft on Tuesday. Despite being in the bottom half of the first round, the Giants managed to nab one of the top offensive weapons in the draft.
[McShay used ESPN’s Football Power Index for his draft order]
20. New York Giants
Jordan Addison – WR, USC
Finding a Daniel Jones replacement on Day 1 likely won’t be an option this late, and I’m guessing the Giants stick with Jones on a short-term contract and add some competition for him in free agency or on Day 2 of the draft. But New York has to add pass-catchers, regardless of who is throwing to them. Sterling Shepard can’t stay healthy, Kenny Golladay has been a massive disappointment, and Kadarius Toney is now in Kansas City. The current depth chart reads Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins and Richie James. That isn’t going to get it done. So how about pairing Wan’Dale Robinson (out because of a torn ACL) with Addison, an explosive receiver with ability to come down with 50-50 balls, stretch the field or pick up extra yards in open space? That should boost an underwhelming pass offense.
Raptor’s Thoughts
This is about the best possible scenario for the Giants. Frankly, I would be stunned to see Addison available 20th overall.
Addison is the top receiver on a number of boards, though TCU’s Quentin Johnston will likely go ahead of him simply due to his rare athletic traits. That said, Addison has the tools to be a very good receiver immediately upon entering the NFL.
He may have underwhelming size at 6-foot, 180 pounds, but Addison does have excellent quickness, explosive acceleration, fantastic body control and hands, and is already an excellent route runner. He was a favorite target for Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.
Big, strong athletic freak receivers might get all the attention, but it’s the ones with the mental and technical skills to unlock their athletic traits who produce consistently and immediately at the NFL level.
Addison would immediately slot in as the Giants’ top receiver, and without free agent additions the roster might look like this:
Starters: Jordan Addison, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton
Backups: Richie James, Isaiah Hodgins
That would present a solid blend of skill sets and versatility across the offensive formation.
We’ll leave the Daniel Jones question alone. Nobody besides Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll know what they want to do. They could re-sign Jones, they could move up for a top quarterback prospect, or they could go with Tyrod Taylor and attempt to develop a player. Players like Hendon Hooker (Tennessee), K.J. Jefferson (Arkansas), Dorian Thopmson-Robinson (UCLA), Stetson Bennett (Georgia), or Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) could be enticing in the middle or late rounds.