Giants select Kyle Pitts in Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft
The New York Giants will likely be seeking some offensive playmakers in this year’s NFL draft and the draftniks have been all over that in their mock drafts.
Mel Kiper Jr, the original draftnik, believes the Giants will have a choice of several big-time offensive weapons with the 11th overall selection in Round 1. In his first mock draft of the year, Kiper relives the Giants won’t pass on this special tight end out of Florida.
11. New York Giants
Kyle Pitts, TE, FloridaQuarterback Daniel Jones cut down on his turnovers and showed some improvement in Year 2, but he still averaged only 6.6 yards per attempt. Even when he gets time to throw in the pocket, he doesn’t have a consistent downfield threat (though Darius Slayton was a nice fifth-round find in 2019). At 6-foot-6, Pitts has the size/speed traits to line up out wide, in the slot or next to an offensive tackle. And he showed off his ability after the catch by averaging 17.9 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns. Pitts is not a traditional tight end, but he’s a skilled offensive threat. And with Evan Engram on the roster, too, the Giants would have two of the most athletic — and versatile — tight ends in football.
Engram has worn out his welcome with the Giants. Dropped passes and inconsistent play have fans and experts doubting the Giants will extend him past this season, which is the last on Engram’s rookie contract.
Pitts is more of an inline tight end with more size with hopefully better hands. The addition of Pitts could make Engram expendable in a draft day trade. Engram’s salary and cap hit for 2021 is $6.013 million and a trade would free up valuable cap space with the salary cap $23 million lower this year across the league.
Engram’s value went up this offseason after he was selected for the Pro Bowl but many may not be fooled by that honor. His drops cost the Giants on the scoreboard and in the standings and he may not be as easy to deal.
The selection of Pitts is contingent on him still being on the board at No. 11. Many teams see him as a ‘unicorn’ or unique player that will be a matchup nightmare for NFL linebackers and secondaries. He could go in the Top 10, especially if he kills it at the combine (or whatever replaces it).
