The NFL Draft is an annual event in which teams from the National Football League (NFL) select eligible players from college or universities around the country. Each team has seven picks to use over the course of the three-day event. It is an exciting time for teams as they have the opportunity to find the next superstars that will help their team win games and championships.
The New York Giants have had an inconsistent few years since their last Super Bowl win in 2011. With the 2021 NFL Draft just around the corner, the Giants are looking to make the most of this opportunity and identify some potential impact players that can help their team compete in the upcoming season. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the top prospects for the New York Giants in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Joe Jones: The Next Saquon Barkley?
Joe Jones is a running back from the University of Wisconsin and could be one of the top prospects for the Giants in the 2021 NFL Draft. At 5-foot-11 and 212 pounds, Jones is a powerful runner who is also very agile and has great acceleration.
He finished his college career with 3,605 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns in three seasons and is a player who could become the team’s bell cow running back. He could be a nice complement to current starting running back Saquon Barkley and give the Giants’ offense another dimension in the ground game.
Tutu Atwell’s Explosive Potential
The Giants could turn to Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell to provide a spark for their passing game. Atwell is a dynamic weapon who can make plays at all levels and is a real threat as a deep ball specialist.
He had a monster 2020 season with 73 receptions for 1,269 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is undersized at 5-foot-9, but makes up for it with his speed, which was clocked in the 4.3s during his pro day. He could give the Giants’ offense a dynamism they’ve been missing in recent years.
Jaelon Darden’s Home Run Threat
The Giants could also look to add a slot wide receiver in the draft which is why North Texas’ Jaelon Darden could be an intriguing option for the team. Darden is an explosive big-play threat who can take the top off a defense and is also a dangerous kick returner.
At 5-foot-8 and 174 pounds, he might not have the size that some teams are looking for in a wide receiver, but he more than makes up for it with his agility and field vision, which enables him to make guys miss. He was a standout in college, finishing his career with 174 receptions for 2,784 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Edge Rushers Who Could Strengthen Defense
The Giants are in need of an edge rusher who can get pressure on the quarterback and help their defense get more takeaways. One player who could fit the bill is Miami’s Quincy Roche. He had a dominating 2020 season with 58 tackles, 11 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
Roche is an experienced and technically sound pass-rusher who can line up either inside or on the outside for the Giants. He is strong against the run and has good body control when going to the quarterback. He is also a relentless player who never gives up on a play.
Adding Depth to the Offensive Line
The Giants have three young and talented offensive tackles in Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart, and Saadiq Charles, but they could bolster the depth of their offensive line in the draft by selecting Louisiana’s Robert Jones.
At 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, Jones is a massive player who can hold his own against power rushers. He’s a physical tackle who is good at blocking defenders away from the quarterback, as well as engaging with defenders in the run game. He also has good footwork and technique, which allows him to keep defenders in front of him.
The Giants are in a great position to find some impact players in the 2021 NFL Draft who could make an immediate impact. Players like Joe Jones, Tutu Atwell, Jaelon Darden, Quincy Roche, and Robert Jones could all help the Giants win games and potentially get back to the playoffs in the coming years. Now it’s up to the Giants’ front office to make the most of their seven picks in the draft.
