Giants: 3 slot WR replacements for Golden Tate in 2021 NFL Draft

Early option: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

Landing the 5-foot-10 and 185-pound wide receiver out of Alabama in Jaylen Waddle with the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft would be a home run pick. Waddle missed a large chunk of the 2020 college football season after suffering an ankle injury against the Tennessee Volunteers while returning a kick.

Waddle would go on to miss the rest of the season but returned to play in the national championship game although he was clearly not 100 percent healthy. Coming back for the championship game drummed up some controversy in the football world since Waddle clearly played hurt. That kind of toughness and commitment to your teammates will go a long way with NFL front offices when it comes to making a first round pick.

While Waddle missed a good bit of time and doesn’t have the eye-popping numbers like former teammate and 2021 Heisman trophy winner Devonta Smith, Waddle is many scouts WR1 in the draft. This draft is wide receiver heavy and could see three guys go in the top-15 between Devonta Smith, Ja’Marr Chase, and Jaylen Waddle.

Waddle provides you with a number of options to get him involved in the offense from lining up on the outside, from the slot, in gadget plays, and on kick returns. Waddle plays with a speed that simply can’t be kept up with similarities to a Tyreek Hill type in the open field. Waddle typically relies on his speed to create separation which often leads to wide-open catches. Don’t let the small stature trick you, this man can win a jump ball and has come down with numerous circus catches while at Alabama.

Adding Waddle to an offense with Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Saquon Barkley will provide Daniel Jones with more than enough weapons to be successful. This pick helps the Giants’ offense in a major way.