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NFL Mock Draft season is getting into full swing, and we can pretty much be expected to be bombarded with weekly mocks from now until the end of April.
Mocks always have different themes, but the most common is to use the first round to address a team’s most glaring need or weakness. With that in mind, let’s see who former scout and NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah — who’s top-50 big board dropped Wednesday — has as his first selection for the New York Giants.
23rd Overall - New York Giants
Gerald Everett (TE, South Alabama) - Get to know this name. Everett has a lot of similarities to Jordan Reed and he would crush it in the Giants' offensive system, surrounded by Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard.
Raptor’s Take - Overall, I like where Jeremiah is going with this pick. The top offensive lineman — Ryan Ramczyk — is long gone, and there aren’t any edge rushers on the board who seem like natural fits for the Giants’ defense. I could see Auburn DE/OLB Carl Lawson being in play, but his significant injury could (and maybe should) scare the Giants away.
But in general I like the idea of adding an athletic tight end to contrast with the Giants’ smaller, faster, quicker receivers, and add the “big body” red zone and short yardage threat the offense currently lacks. While the instinct might be to find a wide receiver for the role, this strategy is very similar to what the New England Patriots use with Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett.
As for Everett himself, he is athletic, though not a speed demon like Vernon Davis or Miami’s David Njoku. He is a smooth route runner who is quick in and out of his breaks, and a natural receiver. He transferred to South Alabama after UAB closed down its football program and he quickly became his conference’s best offensive weapon.
Everett is only 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, so I think I might like a bigger player there, though Jerell Adams might grow to fill that role. Everett’s talent and upside has scouts excited, however.