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Pro Football Network Goes Outside the Box for Giants in Mock Draft

Pro Football Network projects a surprising pick to the Giants at No. 25 in their latest mock draft.
Patricia Traina|
Pro Football Network Goes Outside the Box for Giants in Mock Draft
Pro Football Network Goes Outside the Box for Giants in Mock Draft

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New York Giants

When one thinks of the New York Giants' most pressing needs, the conversation typically turns to receiver, inside linebacker, cornerback, interior offensive line, edge rusher, and defensive line as among the top priorities.

But in their latest mock draft, Joe Broback of Pro Football Network has an interesting choice for the Giants in the first round of the draft, where New York is scheduled to pick at No. 25.

That choice is Texas running back Bijan Robinson, of whom Broback writes:

“With Saquon Barkley set to become a free agent, it makes sense that the Giants would look for cheaper options to replace him. If Bijan Robinson falls this far in the first round, there’s no reason to believe the Giants would let him slip past them. Robinson is an elite runner with above-average pass-catching abilities. He’s a special talent that makes tackles for loss turn into first downs with ease. His quick feet makes defenders look ridiculous in a phone booth. Robinson’s going to be a stud at the next level. It just depends on his destination.”

Such a scenario is hard to envision. First, there are no guarantees that Barkley is definitely going to leave via free agency. If the Giants manage to get quarterback Daniel Jones’s new contract done before March 7, Barkley is likely assured of getting the franchise tag. That means he’s probably not going anywhere unless negotiations get ugly.

But even if Barkley were to depart via free agency, the running backs class is thought to be so deep that one might figure that the Giants can pick up a replacement later in the draft order that represents better value.

Robinson is a very intriguing player whom any team would be lucky to have. The 6-foot, 220-pounder is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in which he ran for at least 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns. Robinson is a tough runner who averaged a whopping 4.40 yards per carry after contact in his career.

With just six fumbles and one penalty in his three-year college career, Robinson can also contribute as a receiver, having caught 60 of 77 pass targets for 803 yards and eight touchdowns.

But need has to somehow be matched with value, and while the Giants might need additional running back depth if, for example, they choose to move on from Matt Breida or, if in their long-term plan, they want an heir to the No. 1 running back spot, considering the depth of the running back class, there is no reason to think that the Giants couldn't fill this need later in the draft where they'd get better value. 

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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