With the world convulsing from COVID-19, there's been little room for athletics. In fact, pro football is the only sport that hasn't flatlined. And there will indeed be a virtual NFL Draft pumping oxygen into the atmosphere, from April 23-25. We don't care if it's in front of shrieking fans, or if it echoes inside a carved-out auditorium. We'll take it on our smartphones, TVs and tablets and gladly eat the crumbs that hopefully lead to a full football season.
With MetLife in mind, let's try a three-round mock draft for the New York "Football" Giants.
Round 1, Pick No. 4: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
It would take an act of epic incompetence for the Washington Redskins to pass on Ohio State sack machine Chase Young. It would take an equal act of incompetence for the Lions to pass on Young if the Redskins demur. But if Washington plucks Young and Detroit bags Young's teammate, CB Jeff Okudah, then the Giants have to choose quickly between Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons or a beefy offensive lineman. Or they could deal the fourth pick to a team longing for quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert.
Big Blue needs big help with their offensive line. Nate Solder has been a bust since the Giants traded for the former Patriots tackle. So shielding the blindside of QB Daniel Jones - who already has fumbling issues - has to be the prime directive. And it doesn't get beefier than Louisville's Mekhi Becton. Dave Gettleman dreams about his "Hog Mollies" so Becton's 6-foot-7, 365-pound frame would let the Giants GM sleep with a smile. If the Giants punt the pick, they could grab top blockers in Andrew Thomas or Tristan Wirfs or Jedrick Wills. But Becton has the size, speed, and alacrity to plug-and-play at left tackle for a decade.
Round 2, Pick No. 36: Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
The Giants went deep on defense in last year's draft, leaving the offense bereft of blockers. It would be tempting to grab LSU safety Grant Delpit (drafting an LSU safety worked out pretty well for the Jets) or Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield (son of the Pro Bowl CB with the same name). But the Giants at least have Jabril Peppers back there. They also signed former Packers LB Blake Martinez this offseason, while again ignoring the offensive line.
If Becton is the answer at left tackle, and the Giants are relatively stable at both guard spots, then the man snapping the ball to Daniel Jones must be addressed. There's a promising New Jersey native who went to Michigan (not named Peppers), and that would be Wolverines center Cesar Ruiz. The 6-foot-3, 307-pound Ruiz has high grades from just about everyone, lauding him for his athleticism, hands, and ability to dash to the second level. Ruiz has met with at least 20 NFL clubs so far. He's scheduled for a FaceTime meeting with Gettleman, who reportedly likes the kid from Camden.
It's not sexy to take big men who don't throw, catch, or run the ball. But the Giants can't throw, catch, or run the ball without high-end blockers. And Ruiz should slide into center perfectly, joining Becton and turning a tattered O-Line into a force in two rounds.
Round 3, Pick No. 99: Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
The Giants had the 64th overall pick, but lost it in that scalp-scratching trade for Jets underachiever Leonard Williams. They get this pick as compensation for losing Landon Collins in free agency. It's tough to argue for Big Blue bagging three-straight offensive linemen in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Just taking two will have the fantasy football geeks grousing for stat-builders.
Still, the Giants need help beyond skill players. If they're going to spend this pick on defense, then the two-best choices would be Louisiana Tech CB Amik Robertson or Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings. The Giants are somewhat stable at cornerback, with DeAndre Baker and recent free-agent signee James Bradberry, whom Gettleman drafted as GM of the Panthers. Bradberry replaces talented malcontent, Janoris Jenkins, who finished last season with the Saints.
The nod here goes to Jennings, a fifth-year senior who had eight sacks last season for the Crimson Tide, and enters the NFL as a full-grown adult. Word is that the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Jennings is great in the locker room and is a tireless worker. Markus Golden led the G-Men in sacks, with ten, but is still unlikely to return to the team if he keeps asking for $10 million per year. Without Golden, the Giants accounted for just 26 sacks in 2019. Two linebackers - Oshane Ximines and Lorenzo Carter - had 4.5 sacks each. Hence the need for another pass rusher and blue-collar guy in Jennings.
Overview
The Giants went 4-12 last year because they have craters all around their roster. You could argue for first-round linebackers, second-round safeties, and third-round wideouts. These picks presuppose they don't deal the fourth overall pick, and Gettleman has never traded a first-round pick as an NFL GM. If a QB-hungry club hurdles the Giants, steals Tagovailoa or Herbert, and Chase Young falls on Gettleman's lap, then that scrambles the entire first round. So, for now, we assume the draft picks will remain in current order.
Twitter: @JasonKeidel
