By Michael Stewart/@golferbad
Introduction: In this wishful thinking mock draft, I’m pulling out all the stops here; which will include trades, trades and possibly more trades. GM Dave Gettleman has 12 picks in this draft after the mega trade of Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns for safety Jabrill Peppers, a 1st round (#17) and a 3rd round picks (#95). The likelihood of using every one of these picks to draft prospects and then signing them; seems highly unlikely. Therefore; in this mock draft I will have Gettleman being the most aggressive GM on draft day and package picks to either move up in the draft and/or acquire a player. In my last mock draft, I didn’t have the Giants drafting a quarterback, but I do have them walking away with one in this mock draft; but not who you may think. So without any further suspense, here’s is my ultimate mock draft version of what I believe the New York Giants should do in the 2019 NFL draft:
Key Additions: Kevin Zeitler (OG), Jabrill Peppers (S), Golden Tate (WR), Markus Golden (OLB)
Key losses: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR), Olivier Vernon (OLB), Landon Collins (S)
Round 1 (#6)
The Pick: Devin White (ILB) LSU-6’1/255: White is by far the best ILB in the draft and what sets him aside from the rest is his lethal combination of size and speed. White is a play making machine with an endless motor and a relentless approach on each play.
Alternate Pick: Rashan Gary (DE) Michigan-6’5/285: Defensive linemen like Bosa, Allen, Sweat and Williams should be off the board, so Gary is next in line. Gary can be effective against the run and also as a pass rusher. Giants haven’t had this type of combination talent at the DE position since Jason Pierre-Paul. Gary will fit right into the Giants defensive scheme and be a productive addition from day one.
*****Trade Alert: The New York Giants agree on a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, in return for the Giants 2019 1st round pick (#17) and their 2019 4th round pick (#132) totally 990 points for the Colts 2019 1st round pick (#26) and their 2019 2nd round pick (#59) totally 1010 points. Gettleman for the 1st time ever trades back in the 1st round to get an extra 2nd round pick.
Round 1 (26) From Indianapolis
The Pick: Brian Burns (DE/OLB) Florida State-6’5/249: Burns is freakishly talented, especially as a pass rusher. Burns is not regarded as a run defender, but he is actually better than most think. Burns utilizes his long arms and deceptive speed to go around the edge on opposing linemen and has a relentless motor.
Alternate Pick: Andre Dillard (OT) Washington State-6’5/315: Gettleman had an option with this pick as several linemen were available; in the end Andre Dillard was selected. Dillard is extremely athletic for his size and is already ahead of the curve as a pass protector. Dillard moves well laterally and in space; which allows him to be an efficient blocker downfield.
Round 2 (#37)
*****Trade Alert: The New York Giants agree on a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for quarterback Josh Rosen, in return for the Giants 2019 2nd round pick (#37) *****Arizona will select quarterback Kyler Murray with the 1st overall pick in the draft; which leads them to trade 2018 1st round pick, quarterback Josh Rosen.
Round 2 (#59) From Indianapolis
The Pick: Kaleb McGary (OT) Washington-6’7/320: McGary is extremely athletic for his size with sound footwork. McGary has strong hands and long arms which enables him to create separation from edge rushers. McGary is a day 1 starter at Right Tackle and will complete the Giants missing piece at Right Tackle.
Alternate Pick: Jeffery Simmons (DT) Mississippi State-6’4/300: Out for the season with a torn ACL, if Simmons falls into the 2nd round and into the Giants lap, it might be too much for Gettleman to pass on. Before the injury, Simmons was a legit top 10 pick and many believe as equally talented as any DT in the draft. Simmons would be a no show in 2019, but should fully recover in 2020.
Round 3 (#95)
The Pick: Jamal Dean (CB) Auburn-6’2/208: Dean got the attention with a solid 4.30 in the 40 yard dash along with his overall performance at the combine. Dean’s size and speed could be too much to pass up in the 3rd round.
Alternate Pick: Germaine Pratt (OLB) North Carolina State-6’2/245: Pratt is a converted safety who has developed into a solid 3 down linebacker. Pratt has play making skills and will also be a contributor on special teams as well.
*****Trade Alert: The New York Giants agree on a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for their 2019 4th round pick (#124) and 5th round pick (#159) totaling 75 points. In return for the Giants 2019 5th round picks (#142 &171) a 6th round pick (#180) and both 7th round picks (#232 & #245) totaling 79 points*****Gettleman still has an abundance of picks on day 3 of the draft and packages them to move back into the 4th & 5th rounds with the Seattle Seahawks who only have four picks in the draft.
Round 4 (#108)
The Pick: Lil’Jordan Humphrey (WR) Texas-6’5/220: Humphrey has good size and is extremely athletic and is a converted running back out of high school. Humphrey has good hands and can line either on the outside or in the slot and cause matchup problems. Humphrey is excellent after the catch and can make plays in traffic.
Alternate Pick: K’halil Hodge (ILB) Buffalo-6’1/235: Hodges is an aggressive linebacker who can go sideline to sideline. Hodges is a solid run stuffer between the tackles, but also can cover backs and/or tight ends; which the Giants lacked in 2018.
Round 4 (#124)
The Pick: K’halen Saunders (DT) Western Illinois-6’1/325: Saunders is fun to watch on film with deceptive quickness for his size and his relentless pursuit on every play. Saunders is disruptive off the snap and hard to move once he sets himself.
Alternate Pick: Michael Jordan (OT/OG) Ohio State-6’7/315: Jordan has played all three positions on the offensive line, but is likely to play more at guard at the next level. Jordan’s versatility and athleticism will earn him a spot on the roster and give the Giants much added depth.
Round 5 (#143)
The Pick: Michael Deiter (OT/OC/OG) Wisconsin-6’6/320: Deiter has played every position on the offensive line for the Badgers; which will serve him well at the next level. Deiter is excellent not only in the trenches as a blocker, but also in open space with his agility.
Alternate Pick: Jazz Ferguson (WR) Northwestern State-6’5/228: Ferguson has good, speed (4.45) and great hands. Ferguson is fearless in traffic and often wins the battle for the ball. Ferguson has the ability to make yards after the catch and is a lethal red zone target.
Round 5 (#159)
The Pick: Tommy Sweeney (TE) Boston College-6’5/250: Sweeney won’t fill up the highlight reel, but what he does is block well (run and pass) and is a reliable receiver. Sweeney is the perfect replacement for current Giants TE Rhett Ellison, who will most likely get released after the season.
Alternate Pick: Isaiah Johnson (CB) Houston-6’2/205: Johnson has many traits NFL scouts like in a cornerback; size, speed, toughness and instincts. Johnson plays like a river boat gambler at times; which has led to giving up big plays, however; if he can learn to be a little less of a risk taker, the Giants might have gotten a steal in round 5.
Final Thoughts: With the completion of one of the most active drafts in New York Giants history, my wishful thinking mock draft scenario has the Giants making three trades before the 1st, 2nd and 4th rounds. The Giants finally get their quarterback of the future to succeed Eli Manning in 2020. Josh Rosen can now hit the reset button and sit behind Manning in 2019 to watch and learn. As for the rest of the 2019 draft selections, GM Dave Gettleman as advertised was the most aggressive GM during the draft and utilized his 12 picks to move up in the draft and also to acquire a player; ending up with 8 total picks and a player via trade in the 2019 draft. Again, this is my wishful thinking mock draft of what I believe Gettleman and the Giants should do and not what will actually happen. My final mock draft a week before the draft will not have any trades at all and will illustrate the Giants utilizing all 12 picks in the draft on prospects.