Mock draft tracker: WR Jaylen Waddle most often selected for Giants

Adding to the New York Giants’ receiving corps remains the top priority of mock drafters in the second edition of our 2021 NFL Mock Draft Tracker. This time, Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is the No. 1 choice, selected for the Giants in 10 of 46 mock drafts (21.7 percent).

Overall, a receiver was the choice at No. 11 in 23 of the 46 mock drafts (50 percent). Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama was chosen 6 times (13 percent), Florida tight end Kyle Pitts 5 times (10.9 percent), and Ja’Marr Chase of LSU 2 times (4.3 percent).

Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye was the most often selected defensive player (8 times (17.4 percent).

Waddle, listed at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, is an explosive speedster. He averaged 18.9 yards on 106 catches in three seasons at Alabama. He was also a play-making return man, averaging 19.3 yards on 38 punt returns and 23.8 yards on 9 kickoff returns.

Here is part of our projection for Waddle:

Alabama receiver and kick returner projects as a dynamic offensive weapon at the NFL level. His size will likely limit him to the role of slot receiver in the eyes of many coaches and scouts, but he has the potential to be explosively productive for teams with the scheme to involve him in a variety of ways ...

Waddle can serve an offense well out of a traditional slot role, particularly if that team incorporates spread or Air Raid concepts which make use of spacing. However, he could play a similar role to Tarik Cohen or Tyreek Hill in an offense which is able to scheme ways to get him the ball in space or uses the slot receiver in vertical concepts. Creative offensive coordinators could also use him with motion to add elements a defense will need to track, or even use him out of the backfield to ensure free releases.

Coaches will probably be drawn to Waddle for his home-run capability as well as his competitive toughness and willingness to do the dirty work when a play is designed for another player. However, he isn’t a “plug and play” prospect and will likely need a plan for incorporating him into their existing scheme for him to reach his full potential.

Previous trackers

• Mock draft tracker 1.0