Who will the New York Giants take 11th overall in the NFL Draft? Odds, breakdown, and best bet

DeVonta Smith of the Alabama Crimson Tide
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Ricky Dimon

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Since graduating from Davidson (The College That Stephen Curry Built), I have been writing about sports -- just about any and all you can think of! -- and coaching tennis in Atlanta, GA. Beyond the four major sports, I am an avid tennis fan and cover the ATP Tour on a daily basis. If I'm not busy writing, you can generally find me on a tennis court or traveling the world wherever a sporting event takes me. For Ricky Dimon media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, when a whole lot of questions will be answered. The biggest questions are which quarterback will the San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 overall and what will the Atlanta Falcons do with the fourth pick.

When the top 10 comes to an end, the New York Giants will be on the clock. And with that comes another question: are the Giants going with a pass-rusher, an offensive lineman, a wide receiver, or someone else? They could go in any number of directions, so let’s assess their options and look at the odds for their potential draftees.

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama +390

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama +390

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern +390

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State +600

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon +600

Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan +900

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama, +900

Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami (FL) +1000

Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina +1000

Breaking down the contenders

The Giants actually did pretty well last year given the circumstances, with star running back Saquon Barkley missing basically all of the 2020 campaign. They went 6-10 and were in contention for the NFC East title through the final week of the season, when they defeated Dallas but needed a Washington loss to Philadelphia that they didn’t get. With Barkley coming back and a young quarterback in Daniel Jones plus a solid tight end in Evan Engram, the offense is on the rise. New York could opt to make it even better with a young offensive lineman or a wide receiver to join newcomer Kenny Golladay, or they could address the defense.

At No. 11, the two receivers that may be in the mix both hail from Alabama: Jaylen Waddle and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. If Jones is surrounded by Barkley, Golladay, and either Waddle or Smith, he can make so excuses if he doesn’t succeed. An offensive lineman would obviously help, too. Penei Sewell will be gone unless the Giants trade up, which is why Rashawn Slater is more likely.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jaycee Horn could be the best option. Cornerback is arguably an even bigger need than edge rusher, so Horn would make a lot of sense. Patrick Surtain II is probably everyone’s first choice at that position, but he us unlikely to last past Dallas at No. 10.

Jaycee Horn of the South Carolina Gamecocks

The pick: DeVonta Smith (+390)

Horn’s value is +1000 is intriguing, but the pick should be Smith. The best player in college football was rumored to go as high as No. 3 to Miami in the early stages of draft talk, but that was before quarterbacks established themselves as the top options and now the Dolphins aren’t even in that spot anyway (traded with the 49ers). After Ja’Marr Chase, if Waddle is the next receiver off the board, Smith could fall outside of the top 10 and into the Giants’ lap. The versatility in an offense with Barkley, Golladay, and Smith may be too much to pass up.

Be sure to check out Pickwise’s other 2021 NFL Draft content:

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