New York Giants: Top first-round 2021 NFL Draft targets
By Evan Orris
1. DeVonta Smith/Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama
In last year’s draft, Joe Judge relied closely on his college football connections. Judge, who coached with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, chose his former left tackle after a glowing endorsement. This year should be no different.
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Judge is very familiar with Nick Saban’s program down in Tuscaloosa. He coached there for two seasons as a special teams assistant. He feasted into the buffet of Alabama-bred players by selecting Xavier McKinney in the second round last year, and he may go back for seconds this year.
DeVonta Smith is fresh off of a Heisman winning campaign. He was the focal point of the Alabama offense this season catching 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. His skillset his through the roof. He’s already an elite route runner with long arms and glue always on his hands. He would be the best weapon on the Giants from day one.
Smith is likely to be taken before the Giants pick at No. 11. Luckily for the New York Giants, Alabama breeds receivers. Earlier in the college football season, Jaylen Waddle was the hot commodity before an ankle surgery. Yet even in just five games, Waddle managed 28 catches, 591 yards and four touchdowns. If it wasn’t for the ankle injury, it is very possible that Waddle could’ve been the one hoisting up the Heisman trophy.
Either of these ‘Bama players would be the weapon out wide that the Giants have been missing. Both of these two have the talent to fill the void that was left by the Odell Beckham Jr. trade.