Good morning, New York Giants fans!
Jacksonville Jaguars’ Urban Meyer lauds one that got away, Kadarius Toney, ‘a human highlight reel’
Urban Meyer admitted that the Jaguars would have selected Kadarius Toney, who of course went No. 20 to the Giants, had he still been on the board for them at No. 25.
“I’ve gotten to know him over the last couple weeks and obviously my connection with [Gators] coach [Dan] Mullen and those guys,” Meyer said. “You watch [Toney] play, he’s a human highlight reel.”
Family matters: Why Osa Odighizuwa wants to advocate for mental health
This is an important story. It will help you understand why former Giant Owa Odighizuwa flamed out as an NFL player. More importantly, it’s a reminder to always remember that these are people with imperfect lives, with struggles of their own. And, mental illness is a very real and devastating thing.
Best NFL draft 2021 value picks, steals for all 32 teams - Todd McShay names his favorite selections
McShay loved the Giants second-round selection of Azeez Ojulari.
I haven't agreed with most of the moves that GM Dave Gettleman has made, especially when it comes to the draft. I questioned his selection of Daniel Jones in 2019, and Gettleman took Andrew Thomas -- my fourth-ranked tackle last year -- at No. 4 in 2020, with Jedrick Wills Jr., Mekhi Becton and Tristan Wirfs all available. But I have to say that I really liked his draft class this year. He traded back twice in the first two rounds for more draft capital and still landed impact players. Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney is going to be a versatile offensive weapon, but I think Ojulari, the second-rounder and my No. 31 prospect, was the best pick of the Giants' class.
New York badly needed edge help. It was middle of the pack last season with 40 sacks, but much of that was thanks to Leonard Williams, who tallied 11.5. No other player had more than four. And when we are talking about pure pass-rushers, few have the ability of Ojulari. He has good bend, size, speed and burst, and his instincts when pursing the QB are elite. Watch his dip-and-rip move; it's extremely effective.
Ojulari can help in coverage, and he has range against the run, but this pick is all about the edge rushing. And that's fine. It's exactly what the Giants needed.
Dave Gettleman's bold Giants NFL Draft moves revealed a lot
Paul Schwartz reads between the lines of the Giants’ trades back to collect draft capital for next year. His conclusion, and one he could well be right about? Dave Gettleman, 70, intends to be around next year to capitalize on all of the extra picks his trades helped accumulate.
Don’t act surprised Giants didn’t draft any offensive linemen: Right or wrong, they tipped their hand a long time ago - nj.com
It doesn’t look great on paper. That group — minus Kevin Zeitler, their best-graded linemen, cut for cap space — allowed 50 sacks in 2020 and let quarterback Daniel Jones get pressured on the second-highest percentage of his dropbacks, behind only Sam Darnold.
But the Giants believe in the talent. Their moves this offseason showed that coach Joe Judge felt the issue was coaching, not talent. They fired Marc Colombo at midseason, and his replacement (Dave DeGuglielmo) wasn’t brought back. Judge hired Rob Sale from the college ranks to replace him, brought in old Tom Coughlin cohort Pat Flaherty as a consultant and moved Freddie Kitchens into a new role focusing on the O-Line.
The Giants really do believe in this group, even if that looks like a huge risk.
In case you missed it
- NFL Draft grades: New York Giants earn high marks
- ‘Things I think’ about the Giants’ 2021 draft class
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