Yates also makes an interesting move for New York in Round 2
On the heels of Bruce Feldman’s mock draft, let’s see what Field Yates of ESPN has done for the New York Giants in his newly-released two-round mock draft. [Insider only]
Round 1 (No. 3) — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
It is interesting to me that both Feldman and Yates, well-connected analysts, have the Giants grabbing Sanders. I said on Wednesday’s ‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast that I believe head coach Brian Daboll will be the biggest voice in the room when it comes to a quarterback selection for New York, and that I can easily see Daboll falling in love with Sanders.
Here is what Yates wrote:
Despite the Giants’ signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, I just don’t buy them passing on Sanders. If the team is bullish on Sanders being its franchise quarterback, the veteran signings are irrelevant to that decision. This would be a move about the future and stability. Sanders throws with pristine accuracy and touch — he passed for 4,134 yards and completed 74% of his throws last season — but he must improve his urgency under duress.
With Wilson and Winston sharing the QB room with him, he could learn and keep developing without the pressure of being immediately thrown into the QB1 role.
Round 2 (No. 34) — TRADE!!!
With the Giants having gotten their quarterback in Round 1, Yates gets creative. He swaps with the Buffalo Bills, who had previously moved to No. 38 in Yates’ mock. In addition to the 38th pick, the Giants get a fourth-round pick (No. 132).
Yates says the Giants would “happily take an extra mid-round pick.”
The Giants miss out on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (34, Bills) and Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons (37, Kansas Chiefs, via projected trade with Raiders), but I am inclined to agree that the Giants would do this.
Round 2 (No. 38) — Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Yates writes:
In this scenario, the Giants move down from No. 34, add an extra fourth-rounder in a deep draft and then select a player in Booker who would have been justifiable in the Giants’ original slot. Booker is among the most powerful players in the class and allowed one sack across 38 career games.
Valentine’s Views: This is a pick that would make a ton of sense. The biggest question mark on the offensive line right now is at guard, where the Giants have 35-year-old Greg Van Roten penciled in as the starter and a bunch of question marks behind him.
Booker is a left guard, meaning Jon Runyan Jr. probably moves to right guard and Van Roten becomes a depth piece.
Booker is the No. 23 overall prospect on The Ringer big board. Their scouting report:
Booker has a wide build with a powerful lower half and long arms. A two-year starter and team captain for the Crimson Tide, he played primarily at left guard but did see some snaps at left tackle. He blocks with a wide, balanced base and keeps his knees bent to maintain his leverage. He’s hard to knock back off his spot, doing well to drop his anchor and stymie the bull rush. He brings strong, heavy hands to punch and latch onto opponents and has the upper-body power to wrestle and throw opponents off balance and onto the ground. He shows excellent awareness to pick up stunts. He creates movement at the point of attack and sustains blocks to create run lanes and seal opponents out of the play. He is a smooth mover who explodes out of his stance on move blocks, bringing some pop on pulling plays. He loves to finish blocks with a flourish and is always looking to drive opponents into the turf before jumping on top of them. There are times when Booker gets caught leaning on blocks, which makes him vulnerable to push/pull and swim moves. His punch lands outside the shoulders occasionally, and he resorts to bear-hugging his opponents. He’s likely viewed as an interior lineman only and may not fit every offense; he’s best suited for a downhill power scheme.