New York Giants seven round mock draft, with trades, scores big
By Ed Stein
Round three
With the 39th pick of the third round in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select wide receiver, Chase Claypool, University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
While a wide receiver may not be at the top of the needs list, it would be a nice luxury to add a good one. At 6-4, 232-pounds, he’s a tight end-like big target. A 4.42 40-yard dash makes him a threat to stretch the field as well. That isn’t his game, Claypool is at his best running inside routes. Jerry Rice made a Hall-of-Fame career doing the same thing.
Against cornerbacks, he’s a nightmare for them to man up on for 50/50 balls, not only due to his size but because he’s so strong. If Daniel Jones needs him to, Claypool can climb high to get the catch made. For such a physical player, it’s hard to believe he isn’t better getting off of press coverage. Claypool will also have to learn to run in games, the same way he does without pads to take advantage of his natural skills.
"Claypool is a lengthy target on the outside with a large catch radius. He plays with impressive play strength against man coverage, boxing out defenders well and utilizing his strength to create forceful separation. His strong hands allow him to make difficult grabs in tight windows. – Jacob Infante, USA Today Draftwire."
Round four
With the fourth pick of the fourth round in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select Evan Weaver, inside linebacker, University of California Golden Bears.
This pick is a reach. If the Giants still had a fifth-round pick, I would have waited to take Weaver. I like what I saw when I watched him play. His skills and intangibles are too good to take the chance he’ll be available in the sixth round and I’m all out of trades.
The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year was the leader of a gritty Cal defense. His heady play and determination turned him into a difference-maker. He might not be a physical specimen but that aspect is more than outweighed by Weaver’s positives. Don’t be surprised if he becomes the soul of Big Blue’s defense in a few years.