Ed’s 5-round New York Giants mock draft, version 3.0

OK, here we go with this week’s New York Giants simulated mock draft. I’m sticking with five rounds for now. As we get closer to the draft I will likely expand to a full seven.

Caveats, as always, before we get to the picks. I try to do these differently each week. Some weeks I use the mock draft tool at The Draft Network, which means no trades. Other weeks I use the Fanspeak tool and wheel and deal.

One thing I don’t recall having done is really factoring in free agency before it has actually happened. So, I’m going to try and do that in this mock. Therefore, lists below of players let go and signed by the Giants prior to the draft in tis scenario.

Let go: Edge Markus Golden, linebacker Alec Ogletree, safety Antoine Bethea, edge Kareem Martin

Signed: Cornerback Logan Ryan, Edge Kyle Van Noy, defensive lineman Leonard Williams (transition tag). NOTE: You’ll ask about Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin and Jacksonville Jaguars edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue. I actually did a little combo here. I ran the Fanspeak Ultimate GM tool and couldn’t get either player as they re-signed with their own teams, then I used The Draft Network tool to run my actual mock simulation.

Round 1 (No. 4) — Isaiah Simmons, LB Clemson

A shiny new toy for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to scheme up ways to use him. I passed on the offensive tackles here thinking I would land one on Day 2.

Round 2 (No. 36) — Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

Honestly couldn’t believe this versatile safety was still on the board. So, too, was LSU safety Grant Delpit. As much as I like this player, though, my gut tells me that I might have made a mistake here. As you saw above, I didn’t get a big-time right tackle in free agency. I also let the opportunity to select Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones slip by right here. I don’t want to run and re-run and re-run these drafts until I think they are perfect. So, if you believe Jones should have been the pick here under the circumstances I will own that mistake.

Round 4 (No. 100) — Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin

Note: No Round 3 compensatory pick in this mock because Draft Network doesn’t project them

My question — why is he still here? Considering that I didn’t take the opportunity to bolster the offensive line earlier, I am risking breaking my already injured neck by leapfrogging the table and sprinting to turn in this card. I feel a little bit better. Except that I think I need to get some work done on my neck now. [In case you care what all the neck stuff is about yours truly is playing hurt these days after a fall left me with a neck that moves about as well as a rusty bolt that hasn’t been turned in a couple of decades.]

Round 5 (No. 132) — Michael Pittman, WR, USC

I waited ... and waited ... and waited to pull the trigger on adding a wide receiver for Jason Garrett’s offense. I think my patience paid off. The 6-foot-4, 219-pound Pittman should be off the board already, but with the depth of this wide receiver class there are going to be players like this who are great Day 3 value. I think Pittman brings a body type and a skillset the Giants could use.

Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs says:

Michael Pittman Jr projects to the NFL as a stereotypical ‘X’ receiver. With his size and ball skills, Pittman can provide an NFL team with a presence as a possession receiver. Separation is never going to be calling card and lack of consistency there may cause him to be more of a rotational receiver. But his high point ability, hands and body control will afford him plenty of opportunities to make plays in the RZ and, in the right system, push for high volume snaps.

Final thoughts

Every draft works out differently. My intent each week is to present you with something to think about, not necessarily to nail exactly how any draft will ultimately go. I’m actually pretty happy with the players I signed in free agency, and the guys I selected in the draft. I guess I better be. I’m not happy about failing to come away with a right tackle. That’s an offseason must, and this time around I didn’t get that done. Demerits for Ed on that score. If I had done the last two rounds I most likely would have taken at least one if not two fliers on developmental tackles.