After the Eagles sniped them by picking DeVonta Smith (with an assist from Jerry Jones), the Giants traded back in the first round—something Dave Gettleman had never done before—ultimately pivoting to Florida receiver Kadarius Toney at 20th overall in Thursday night’s NFL Draft. Say what you will about Toney, but the young man certainly doesn’t lack for confidence.
When asked to compare himself to a current player, Toney went straight for the top shelf, invoking Packers Pro Bowler Davante Adams, who led the league with 18 touchdown receptions last year (tied for third-most in NFL history), and Alvin Kamara, whose 21 combined rushing and receiving scores led all of football in 2020.
There’s no denying Toney’s intrigue as a speedy gadget player in the mold of Curtis Samuel or Tavon Austin, though many considered him a reach where the Giants took him, especially considering some of the off-field issues surrounding him (the Gators suspended him for their season opener in 2018 after brandishing an airsoft gun painted to look like an assault rifle). Picking Toney also seemed redundant after spending a fortune on receivers Kenny Golladay and John Ross in free agency, especially with Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw (who many projected to go in the teens) still available at that juncture.
Time will tell if Toney lives up to his own ambitious expectations, though obviously Giants fans will be thrilled if he performs anywhere near the level of Adams or Kamara, both franchise cornerstones for their respective teams.
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