Daniel Jeremiah: Giants may not be able to pass on Gregory Rousseau

While many NFL draft analysts believe the New York Giants will use the No. 11 overall selection on an offensive playmaker this April, there are still a few that believe they might be drawn to taking a defensive stud instead.

Count NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah as one of the ones who see Giants general manager Dave Gettleman going against the grain.

Jeremiah, in his latest mock draft, has a run on quarterbacks and cornerbacks dominating the Top 10. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson of BYU and Ohio State’s Justin Fields are slated to go first, second and fourth to Jacksonville, the Jets and Atlanta with LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase sandwiched in to Miami at No. 3.

Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell is next at No. 5 to Cincinnati followed by Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (Philadelphia), Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (Detroit), North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (Carolina), Virginia Teck cornerback Caleb Farley (Denver) and Alabama corner Patrick Surtain II (Dallas) to close out the Top 10.

At No. 11, Jeremiah has the Giants passing on the two stud Alabama wide receivers (Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle) to select Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau.

“I know GM Dave Gettleman has let it be known that he wants to add playmakers on offense,” writes Jeremiah. “At the end of the day, though, he’s not able to pass up the big, athletic edge rusher.”

It might be the right move here. The Giants haven’t had a legitimate edge rusher in eons and this young man has that unique size/speed combination that could make him special in the NFL.

While many would like to see the Giants grab a top wideout, don’t fret. There are quite a few in this draft and there will certainly be plenty to choose from when the Giants pick No. 42 in Round 2 and again when they choose No. 76 in Round 3.