Late-season theatrics may not have ended the way the New York Giants had hoped, but it has extended the lifespans of Daniel Jones and Dave Gettleman alike. This pre-Senior Bowl Giants 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft takes a stab at what may be Gettleman’s last offseason in New York.
New York will look to revamp the offense in the NFL Draft and build upon a strong defense as the offseason quickly approaches. The latter performed well in 2020. They lack, however, the talent at high-value positions like cornerback and edge rusher. Addressing those needs while giving Jones the playmakers he needs to succeed will be priorities this spring.
Giants Pre-Senior Bowl 7-Round 2021 Mock Draft
- Round 1, Pick 11: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick 42: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)
- Round 3, Pick 76: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami (FL)
- Round 4, Pick 106: Chris Rumph, EDGE, Duke
- Round 6, Pick 171: Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
- Round 6, Pick 175: Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
Giants 2021 NFL Mock Draft pick-by-pick analysis
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
To amend one of the biggest blunders of Gettleman’s New York tenure, the Giants find their number one wide receiver that they have so badly missed. Jones worked with a competent, but uninspiring, receiving corps, and it has hindered his development.
Jaylen Waddle has enjoyed a productive collegiate career that may go out with a bang. Early in the season, he suffered a severe ankle injury, initially deemed to be season-ending. Yet, Waddle is currently practicing and may return for the College Football National Championship Game. Returning in itself is impressive, but a strong showing would erase concerns about his injury.
Featured | NFL Draft Prospects 2021: Pauline’s updated big board, player rankings
Waddle is arguably the class’ top target and brings elite speed to the table. The Alabama product plays bigger than his listed size and has special teams value, too. He’s not just a deep threat, though. While he does possess impressive route running skills down the field, he can be used in various ways closer to the line of scrimmage.
This meshes well with Jones’ strengths and allows New York to manufacture touches to two dynamic threats with ease. Waddle would combine with former Penn State phenom Saquon Barkley to create an electric offense with unlimited big-play potential. Now, the Giants won’t have to risk spending big money on a wide receiver in free agency.
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)
An extensive medical history may knock Phillips out of the first round, but he’s a legitimate target for New York on Day 2. He offers exciting athletic tools such as speed, burst, and bend that creates tantalizing upside. Due to his missed time, his technique is not overly developed, though he saw tangible improvements in 2020. Phillips racked up eight sacks this season for Miami and would immediately upgrade the Giants’ pass rush.
Featured | Bailey’s First-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft
After extending Patrick Graham, it’s only right to give him more toys to play with. In this Giants 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft, he gets a shiny new edge rusher to complement the soon-to-be extended Leonard Williams. Even with the medical concerns, Phillips offers a higher floor than fellow Hurricane pass rusher Gregory Rousseau. This pick also helps the James Bradberry-led secondary that was left out to dry at times without consistent pressure. Phillips has the potential to take this defense from good to great.
Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami (FL)
One thing is evident during the 2020 season — Evan Engram as a Giants TE isn’t working. Despite his Pro Bowl status, Engram has woefully underperformed and was at times actively detrimental to New York’s playoff push. Critical drops, miscommunications, and poor quarterback play led to a disappointing one score from Engram in 2020. He’s likely on his way out. The combination of Kaden Smith and Levine Toilolo won’t cut it.
Enter Brevin Jordan. The second Miami Hurricane product of this Giants 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
In some ways, Jordan is similar to Engram. He features unique after the catch ability and lucrative athletic tools. PFN’s own Nick Farabaugh compared him to Jonnu Smith, another slot-bound tight end. They also share some troubling run blocking reps, though both have worked to improve this concern. Jason Garrett struggled to optimize Engram, but there’s no guarantee of either returning. If Engram returns, he and Jordan will make the Giants terrifying out of 12 personnel. Even with poor play-calling, a player of Jordan’s caliber can only help an offense.
Jordan, like Phillips, has a medical record that will hurt his stock. However, Jordan had an undeniable impact on Miami’s offense (and D’Eriq King’s play). If New York is genuinely committed to building around Jones, passer-friendly targets will need to don the blue and white.
Chris Rumph, EDGE, Duke
A popular summer scouting favorite, Rumph is an athletic pass rusher whose best days are ahead of him — he lands to the Giants in this 7-round NFL Mock Draft. He showcases strong run defense skills from various alignments. He’s lined up over the A gap like Jadeveon Clowney and even seen some coverage reps as well. Rumph offers enough as a pass rusher to give him opportunities on the edge, but a brighter future may be as a hybrid piece.
As a 3-4 outside linebacker, he’ll be able to get after the passer, penetrate the backfield on runs, and drop into coverage without hurting the defense. He’s no Isaiah Simmons in coverage, but there is legitimate upside adjacent to Blake Martinez. Rumph’s versatility plays seamlessly into Graham’s skills as a coordinator. From a team need and schematic perspective, Rumph makes a lot of sense for New York.
Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
Mond may fall to the latter half of Day 3, but he’s a passer likely to outperform his draft slot. He lacks elite tools, but his arm talent is enough to keep an offense afloat. His mechanics are clean, and he excels at many things the Giants like to do schematically. Mond should be able to step in as a rookie if Jones, who has missed multiple games in each of his two professional seasons, gets hurt.
Jones’ legs are a large part of the New York attack. Unlike Colt McCoy, Mond features a similar athletic profile. Securing two similar passers gives them an insurance policy and an easier time game-planning in the event of an injury. There’s minimal starting talent available in the sixth round of this Giants 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Instead of desperately grasping at low-upside prospects on the offensive line, more practical depth solutions should be encouraged.
Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
This trend continues at an albeit low-value position. Since running back Saquon Barkley’s choice in 2018 and a fairly depleted group, circling back for depth seems appropriate, especially this late. Furthermore, backup running backs Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris, and Devonta Freeman are pending free agents. This leaves Barkley and third-down candidate Dion Lewis left in the running back room.
Patterson is an extremely productive, punishing runner that won’t let defenses take a rep off with Barkley on the sideline. He’ll play a part in any load management role the Giants may employ. Often compared to running backs like Doug Martin and James Robinson, Patterson is a nightmare of a backup running back.
He will likely fall due to concerns about his size, level of competition, and third-down ability. Here, New York can save money without experiencing a talent drop off. Patterson is an easy fit for the final selection of this Giants 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
Want more 2021 NFL Draft prospect news? Want to do your own mock draft?
Dive into the PFN Mock Draft Simulator and test your own drafting acumen! Continue to visit Pro Football Network for NFL news and in-depth analysis. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @PFN365 to stay up to date with all things around the college football and NFL Draft landscape.