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2021 NFL Draft: Best pick by every NFC East team

By Jacob Schyvinck

The Philadelphia Eagles trade up in the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting DeVonta Smith. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles trade up in the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting DeVonta Smith. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Draft prospect and new Giant Elerson Smith. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
2021 NFL Draft prospect and new Giant Elerson Smith. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Giants: Elerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa

Round 4, 116th Overall

The New York Giants are a team that appears to be all in with Daniel Jones in 2021. After making a big commitment to improving the offensive line in the 2020 draft, they moved back in the first round and added a playmaker in Kadarius Toney. Toney will require a lot of schemed touches early on as he develops his route tree. The pick had mixed reactions, but the commitment to Jones resides in his selection.

It was good to see the Giants make an effort to improving the defensive end spot, a position that has been lacking for quite some time. They selected Azeez Ojulari in round two, a player with good technique, hand usage, and bend.

However, their best pick in the 2021 NFL Draft was their second selection along the defensive line, Northern Iowa’s Elerson Smith. Smith brings the tools to the table as a pass rusher. He has the functional athleticism to develop into an every-down defensive end and get after the quarterback. Smith has good initial quickness and the flexibility to win in a variety of ways. He displays good pad level at contact and has flashed the ability to get off blocks.

While he brings upside, Smith still lacks the functional strength against the run at times and will need time to develop. But, three years down the word, the Giants will see why he was their best pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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