Ed’s mock draft, 2.0: Ignoring wide receiver for Giants in Round 1

It’s time for my second multi-round New York Giants mock draft. Each time I do these leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft I am committed to presenting a different scenario for you consideration and discussion.

This week, I pre-determined a “no-trades” draft. I also pre-determined that I wanted to present a scenario that saw the Giants bypass receiver at No. 11. After using the Pro Football Network simulator last week I used the Draft Network simulator this time.

Here is what I came up with.

Round 1 (No. 11) — Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

If I had been considering a wide receiver here, DeVonta Smith is the one of what I consider the Big 4 who was left. To be honest, I probably take Parsons in this spot, anyway.

Inside or off-ball linebacker isn’t one of the positions analytics will tell you is of prime value. Still, it’s not hard to understand that Parsons is a tremendous talent who could be special in the NFL. The kid can do everything you want an off-ball linebacker to do. Plus, in my view, this kid could start full-time on the edge as a 3-4 outside linebacker and excel in that role. I would have no problem with the Giants, if they drafted him, playing him on the edge. Honestly, he might be the best standup edge defender in the draft class.

Here is what Pro Football Focus wrote in its draft guide:

“There aren’t many linebackers in college football history who can rest on their true sophomore tape and still be a likely top-10 draft pick. That’s how special Parsons was in 2019. He’s got the type of size and skill set that could make him the first edge rusher drafted if he wanted to switch to that position. Parsons destroys blocks and ball carriers. He earned the second-highest run-defense grade we’ve ever given in 2019 (94.8) while also finishing with the third-highest tackling grade in the country (90.0). While we haven’t seen a ton of him in one-on-one coverage, I’m not too worried with the athleticism he shows in space.”

Off the board: TE Kyle Pitts, WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Jaylen Waddle, OL Rashawn Slater, CB Patrick Surtain II, CB Caleb Farley

Other players considered: WR DeVonta Smith, Edge Kwity Paye

Round 2 (No. 43) — Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

I’m going to be up front here — this is a pick I am squeamish about. It is one that, if I’m in charge and this is the actual draft, I have a hard time making as we sit here more than two months away from the real deal. I made it, though, because I thought this was a good spot to select a receiver — and because I wanted the opportunity to open a discussion about Moore.

There are those in the draft community, and apparently in the NFL, who rate Moore ahead of Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle. Based purely on what the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Moore can do once you get the ball into his hands, I get it. The guy is a phenomenal talent.

The problem for me is that the guy hasn’t been healthy for two years, only making it onto the field for seven games. the best ability is availability, and my belief has always been guys with collegiate injury histories don’t suddenly become players you can depend on to get through 16-game seasons consistently. The grind is longer, the…